Do you think it is time for a civics test for public service?

1. 76

   jackclee lmposted 8 years ago

   In light of recent developments, in Washington DC and in our courts, and on campuses around the country... do you think we need a civics test before appointed to public office, or run for elected office or judges?
   How can someone take an oath to support and uphold and defend the Constitution when they don't even know what is in it?
   We require someone to pass a basic test when naturalize to be a US citizen.
   We require some one to take a written test and a road test to get a license to drive a car.
   Yet, there is no such test for elected and appointed officials who will write laws that govern our citizens. Where is the common sense?
   
   In addition, there must be a price to pay for someone going against the Constitution.
   Perhaps, they should be required to take a course in American Civics...

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      promisemposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      A civics test should be required for anyone who wants to vote.

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      1. 76

         jackclee lmposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         I totally agree.

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         wildernessposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Can't.  A disproportionate percentage of those that fail would be either black or Hispanic because they can't read.  Making it racist and unacceptable.  True, real and useful, but the racist card WOULD be flipped over.

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         1. 76

            jackclee lmposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            Are you kidding using the race argument?
            People should not be so illiterate in the first place.
            It is a failing of our public education system.
            It someone can't read or write, I don't care what race, why is that person voting?
            What would he be voting for?
            It is the same poor logic that Voter Id is discriminatory...
            If a person don't have an ID, he or she has no business voting...
            
            Our survival as a free republic depends on an educated populace...

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               wildernessposted 8 years agoin reply to this

               You're getting the idea - voter ID is also racist because blacks and hispanics can't get to the office to get an ID.  It's the liberal way, and it works pretty well to maintain their voter registration rolls.

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               1. 76

                  jackclee lmposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                  If they can apply for food stamps and welfare, they can certainly apply for an ID.
                  What do you prefer, a dumb, uneducated populace who will vote Democratic? 90%
                  You are insulting their intelligence my friend...

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            2. 84

               GA Andersonposted 8 years agoin reply to this

               Hello jackclee, casting a pretty wide net aren't you?
               
               "...It someone can't read or write, I don't care what race, why is that person voting?"
               
               What about blind folks that can't do Braile? And wouldn't he be voting for the same things us literate folks vote for?
               
               GA

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            Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

            That is an assessment that is obviously free of bias???

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      3. 81

         Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

         I have seen that you are the voice of sanity among the crazy Right, until now......
         
         Dixie used literacy tests to cheat people out of their right to vote. How little you people learn that the franchise is a RIGHT for every American citizen, not a privilege. So, if you are US citizen registered in your state and you are over the age of 18, you get to vote and there is no test involved. How can you decline to the level of the right wing voices in this crowd? I expected better from you.

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         1. 76

            jackclee lmposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            It is Thomas Jefferson who wrote an informed public is a prerequisite to Democracy -
            http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/jefferson/60.html

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               Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

               And the so called unwashed are to be disenfranchised because they don't toe your line as to what is to be an informe citizen? I am always appalled by the arrogance of a strident Right, completely out of control. I told you about literacy tests that were once used to disenfranchise, subsequently determined to be illegal by the courts. No comment? Are the sorts of people who advocate these kinds of  things are as fascist in their orientation as Twitler, their fearless leader.
               
               NEVER, that is a non starter and we will drag Trump down from the Oval Office over this.

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                  jackclee lmposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                  Credence,
                  What is it that you object to?
                  What makes an informed electorate?
                  Should all votes count equally?
                  
                  I am not suggesting Trump or any administration go down this path...
                  I merely posed the question given the lack of knowledge of even some judges...
                  What is the point of being a citizen of this country with all its benefits and priviledges...
                  If any tom dick or harry could show up at the voting booth without an ID and may not speak our language and caste a ballot?
                  Does not concern you? Why even have elections?
                  You ssem to have all the answers...
                  Right wing nuts ruin the country while left progressives are caring and compassionate...
                  So much so... they are perfectly happy to continue the welfare state.

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                     Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

                     This is your topic, Jack, what are you implying?
                     
                     I am only interested in this ID thing only to the point, so there is no requirement to speak English to be a citizen, right?
                     
                     Everybody knows that this voter ID controversial is a right wing plot to disenfranchise even more, particularely those that generally vote Democratic. Don't get me started on the details of this.
                     
                     But I don't seem to have as many answers as you do!!
                     
                     The right and its strident rhetoric is a threat to Democracy, itself. I would prefer the welfare state, if I had to make such a choice.

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                        jackclee lmposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                        "everybody know?" Who is everybody?
                        
                        Not me and not my conservative colleagues... which by the way makes up 38% of the population...

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                           Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

                           'Not me and not my conservative colleagues... which by the way makes up 38% of the population'
                           
                           Thatis why the lie continues to have a life of its own...
                           
                           Trump has taken an oath to protect and defend the United States and he is hardly a Constitutional scholar, in fact he is the least qualified person for this job since Dwight Eisenhower. But, at least Eisenhower was a war hero and had a track record of leadership instead of a certain person, draft dodging by hiding behind his money. Yes, yellow, through and through.
                           
                           As for testing public servants, if we can't test the President what grounds are there to test anyone else aspiring to elective office?

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                        wildernessposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                        "so there is no requirement to speak English to be a citizen, right?"
                        
                        I could be mistaken, but the last time I checked the citizenship test was given only in English.  Command of the language is necessary.

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   2. 84

      GA Andersonposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      (a prequall), Hello Jackclee, your appeal for logic and common sense in regards to our elected and appointed officials should be the standard for all discussions. But a few 'understandings' would have to be met first.
      
      On the logic side, how would your "civics test" have any different purpose than that of the Poll Taxes; both designed to exclude someone based on unproven perceptions?
      
      In the common-sense column there would be some obvious questions; who would certify the answers to the civics test; understanding the legislative and judicial history of our nation addressing just such issues? And whose version of common-sense would be the standard? The uninformed common-sense that says to run away from a charging Grizzly, or the informed common-sense that tells you to stand your ground, (or back away slowly)?
      
      Without intending to be sarcastic; wouldn't an "Idiot" test for voters be a prerequisite for a civic test for office holders?
      
      GA

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2. 76

   jackclee lmposted 8 years ago

   Here is a shocking story...
   http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/colle … le/2612243
   
   You have to wonder what those school officials are afraid of?

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      promisemposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I was ready to agree with you that what the college did was wrong. But then I noticed this paragraph:
      
      "The charges were soon dropped, but KCC's message was clear: Free speech is not welcome on campus, especially if you're conservative."
      
      Real journalists and objective readers will immediately realize that this article is biased, violates basic standards of journalism and does not have credibility.
      
      So I will reserve judgment after all until I see an article about the same incident from a credible news source. If it has the same facts without bias, then I will agree with you.

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      1. 76

         jackclee lmposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         There are other stories like it -
         https://www.thefire.org/cases/modesto-j … ution-day/
         
         This is a CA State college which your and my taxes help pay for.
         It is a travesty of justice.
         
         You wonder why our students don't know anything...

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            promisemposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            That one is better. I don't see any bias in it. The college got sued, lost and paid a penalty.

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            1. 73

               Kathleen Cochranposted 8 years agoin reply to this

               promisem:  YES! on your first comment.  It is up to us, the voters, to make good judgments.  If we didn't this time, we only have ourselves to blame.

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   ahorsebackposted 8 years ago

   I think its time for civics tests for voter -vetting !      If you can't pass a basic history test of U.S. history  , you can't vote .   Simple .   Why is America  dumbing down incredibly ,to begin with ------Other than a failed and increasingly failing education system   ?
   
   Even those on the extreme  left have to be in shock of how politically naïve our youth are .

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