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Literacy Tests?

by Rod Miller

Watching Jay Leno's Tonight Show from time to time has, in part, led me to re-think some things.

One of the more controversial issues it that of literacy testing for voters. Having viewed the election process for many, many years, it is abundantly obvious to me that , despite advanced technology, many people who are not qualified as citizens or who are otherwise incapable of making an informed decision .... should NOT vote. ESPECIALLY those such as alcholics who are bought off on election day with a bottle of hooch.

Litracy testing is a radical departure from my long held previous position that civic responsibility included voting in every election. Gathering up 'bodies' on voting day is a tradition in many areas. Some of those bodies are non-breathers. For example, Lyndon Johnson became a Senator when some three hundred votes showed up (Just enough to swing the election) just in time. Those 'voters' coincidentally lined up in alphabetic order. They all had the same hand-writing and used the same pen with green ink. And some were just plain DEAD. Now there's a tip-off. Hmmm?

Since then, my guess is that vote counting has improved. But, it is the voters who are suspect. I think the idea of a basic literacy test is needed AND it needs to be administered in ENGLISH.

The test need not be difficult and can be taken at the time of registration. It should be taken in person in the presence Board of Elections officials.

Part of the test should include something like the Independence Day Quiz. A few more questions should be tossed in about basic economics, types of political systems and so on. Maybe a loyalty oath is worth a shot. Heck, I had to take an oath to get a marriage license.

The way I see it, one needs a marriage license to get hitched. Even bicycles, dogs, businesses and so on ... they all need licenses of one kind or another. So, why not license people to vote. After all marriages end, so one gets remarried. A pet passes on and you get another. modes of personal transportation (all licensed) break down, so you replace them. But when freedom is gone, THAT is the largest disaster anyone can experience.

I think the country would be better off if some folks did NOT vote. Think it over!