Literacy Testing For Voters? Giddy Up!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 12:19AM (FLP Opinion) - The mainstream media has finally been given the ammunition that they believe will sink the Tea Party movement among moderate and independent voters. What is that you ask? Tom Tancredo suggested that there be a literacy test for people who want to vote.
Here's a taste of what he said:
People who could not even spell the word 'vote', or say it in English, put a committed socialist ideologue in the White House. His name is Barack Hussein Obama.
Of course, for this common sense suggestion, the Left has called Tancredo everything but a slave owner. They cannot and will not take this issue on in an honest, responsible manner - not that they ever do - but will instead call the remark racist and bigoted and simply refuse to even debate the point.
Why? Because their position is utterly indefensible. What common sense American thinks its a good idea to allow people that can't read or write to vote? I'd submit that if you think that's a good idea, you're either clueless yourself, or you've had a bit too much of the "Whitey is trying to steal the black vote" kool-aid being served up by Rachel Maddow, Keith Olbermann and the other Leftist crazies. This isn't 1958 Selma, Alabama. It's 2010 America that just elected... wait for it... A BLACK GUY TO BE PRESIDENT. If that doesn't prove that we're a bunch of racists nothing will!
The simple fact is that Democrats rely on morons to get elected and they seem more reliant with every election cycle. Any effort to slow the flow of these prize idiots will be met with everything the Left has in their arsenal, but primarily the race card.
Expect to hear a lot about this as you watch or read any mainstream media outlet in the coming days. Liberals will do everything in their power to use this legitimate issue to marginalize the Tea Party movement.
Just more proof as to why the media may well be our true enemy.
Related Article - Voter Competence Big Problem Moving Forward
Reader Comments (21)
Yeah, they will definitely try to drive a wedge between independents and the Tea Party movement on the basis of twisting this issue. As you said, remove the race card from the equation and this is something that virtually anyone who has an honest position on this issue would agree with.
The "Knock and Drag" plan worked for the Dems in 2008. Knock on the door and drag them to the poles. That does't take a lot of IQ. If they can remember which one they are supposed to vote for.
Was there ever any doubt the media would make hay out of this? They despise the Tea Party movement as much as Sarah Palin and they believe this is an opportunity to take these rednecks down. Let's hope this sparks a legitimate debate in this country, because my guess is most of those independents will see through the media's wailing about literacy testing being racist and think that makes pretty good sense to me.
Well you take one of the most sacred rights and responsibilites we have today and the only qualification to perform this duty is to color in a circle or hit a touch screen by a person's name....
No simple rules are anything about the candidates ability to perform his duities is required and with
the last election one can not be certain that the candidate elected POTUS is a citizen of the United States...How bad can one's duty to his country get before measures are taken to justify the end results...I feel the time is past and the problem is no one in our government well say or do what well be required to repair the cause...Americans can count on one thing, there will be no effort on the part of our MSM media or the so called press..This in my humble opinion is the place for a grassroots movement and the need will be very soon...
If you receive any government assistance, you temporarily lose the ability to vote. The period your vote is disallowed should last from the first government assistance to 6 weeks after the date you receive your last assistance money. I know this will send a bunch of liberal heads spinning, but every great free society has failed when over 50% of the citizens can vote themselves goods from the public treasury. This has lead to many former great empires crumbling throughout history. I am all for helping those in need. We can not, however, have a class of people that will use their vote to take someone else's hard earned property (remember government taxation is just legalized theft) and have it redistributed back to them in form of government aid. This would do the most to getting those who are working hard to better themselves and our nation the the upper hand once again.
I like that idea a lot Jeff. Unfortunately, we know where that suggestion would lead. YOU'RE A BUNCH OF RACISTS!!!! I think at some point we all need to bite the bullet and let them call us what they want to. The country is truly at stake.
While Tancredo specifically called for a test of "civic literacy" as opposed to basic literacy, I would argue that both are an absolute necessity. I believe that in the early years of our republic, such matters were properly left to the states, and many whites were disenfranchised because they were not property owners (remember, the Declaration of Independence originally read "life, liberty and the pursuit of property) based on the assumption that only those with a financial stake in society could properly vote. A black caller to a local radio show this morning argued against even basic literacy, on the grounds that he paid taxes and as such deserved to have a voice in electing representatives. I would go along with this - and thus would still disenfranchise about half of the current population who pay no net taxes at all. If you do not pay taxes or own property, you have no stake in representative government and do not deserve to vote (please note this is not a comment in favor of taxation at all; quite the contrary, but I'm dealing with current reality here, not a truly just and representative democracy). We treat the franchise just as we treat our citizenship - as disposable. If you depend on public charity you are not a citizen, you are a subject. The American revolution was fought to defend "property, acquired solely by the honest industry of our forefathers and ourselves" as well as liberty.
Good points Sheila. You're right about the "civic literacy" test. I should have noted that in the post.
I agree Mike J, conservative leaders in this country need to wake up and accept that the MSM is going to label them no matter what they say. The only way to start having an honest debate about anything anymore is to take the name calling and continue to argue for what we believe in. If we just continue not to voice our opinions for fear of being stigmatized we might as well just give up now.
I consider it an honor to be called racist by the likes of Olbermann and Chrissy Leg Tingle.
Herb, I find that assertion absurd. You may be joking but I don't find your comment in good humor. I'll not tolerate being called a racist by any of those tyrants.
You need to think before you write.
Terry, my point is the term is so overused by the left it's losing it's meaning. Not only that but the shrill accusations of many liberal voices are being taken less and less seriously by growing segments of voters. The response to many policies conservatives support is they are "racist". The problem with the tea parties is they're "racist". You can't expect someone to have any knowledge of civics or pay taxes or even present an ID to vote........that's "racist". When we get defensive and take the accusations of the left seriously, it throws us off our game. So go ahead Olby and Chrissy, call old Herb a racist.
Herb, that was quite a pedestrian, Tea Party inspired response. Bravo! Spot for you on Fox News!
Herb, you have probably gone to bed, so I will thank Terry for you. A Tea Party inspired response is what we strive for here.
And a spot on Fox News....Gosh! We would all wish that for Herb.
Just think...Herb and Hannity....or maybe....Beck&Herb....or....Tarlek's Talking Points.
Thanks from all of us Terry.
P.S. You may have seen him walking, but Herb has a car. It's an ugly car, but it's his.
Whatever rednecks. I've got a friend that raves about this site, but she clearly doesn't understand nuance and moderation. You people are over the top. We'll never take back Congress and the WH with this attitude. It's all black and white to you idiots.
News flash, the world is full of grays.
Terry, don't take this too seriously man. We're just having fun with it. You can have your nuance, I prefer someone who says what they mean and backs it up.
I'll wear my best plaid sportcoat and go on air as soon as I get that first offer!
Hey Terry,
I didn't mean to offend you. We just try to use a little humor here.
You referred to "We". Are you a conservative? A moderate Republican, an Independent?
Your friend was right about this being a great site, and I hope I didn't run you off. We're not all rednecks, I mean, I am and I'm pretty sure BossDan is. I don't think The Commander is, but he is kinda, well different, if you know what I mean. I'd be kinda careful around him if I were you.
I am new to this site and these guys, God love 'em, they gave me a rough time at first. Kinda like an initiation period. But then they just welcomed me in with open arms. If you could have just seen the jokes Monte Hall pulled on me. Ha ha, now he and I are best friends.
So come on back and discuss the issues. We're not all going to agree on every thing, and once in a while it can get a little heated, but we always go back to those things we agree on. I know everyone remembers our last get-together when I made fun of those yellow socks that GeorgiaDawg was wearing and he really got upset with me. But we laugh about it now, and we are planning a trip to go ice fishing next month in Michigan.
So Terry, come on back and debate with these guys and let's have some good times. Thanks.
Hey Terry, it sounds like you might need a laxative or some prune juice. Contact the FL Pundit customer care center and they'll get you hooked up with that. The last thing we ever want is for one of our visitors to turn into a mushy, mouthy moderate!
You clearly reached that point some time ago.
By the HB, very well said last night. I forgot to mention that to you earlier.
I think Terry is a goof. What kind of reply is "that's a pedestrian Tea Party response"? I was a pedestrian at a T.E.A. Party...what other kind of response would I give? I'm also an IT professional, a dad, a brother, a son, and a tax-paying American citizen. How about if he said, "that's a very patriarchiachal information technology response." What utter nonsense.
Herb made his point very well. Watch this video with Breitbart. He talks about the leftist over-use of the term "racist" and how we should run toward it, not away from it. Take away their ability to intimidate and silence us with their false accusations.
http://www.pjtv.com/v/3052