We had the chance to spend some time together back in June. Since we are both recent veterans we spent much of our time discussing the war in Iraq. How did it get to this point? How do we get out now? Inevitably, the discussion usually turns to the current administration.
My brother is a bit of an elitist, and as such, he believes that the American people are to blame for the current state of affairs in our country because they voted for this administration, not once, but twice. My brother feels that Americans should have to demonstrate a basic knowledge of current affairs and US history in order to be eligible to vote. I agree with him. I think a basic test wouldn’t favor any particular party, race, or religion...so it's fair. Before you think we are both nuts, consider this quote from Thomas Jefferson in a letter to a friend in 1789:
"Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government;... whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights."Jefferson also believed that Spain’s constitution was great because it said that a person couldn’t be recognized as a citizen until they could read and write. He felt that it would give people and incentive to learn. He stated:
“This will give you an enlightened people and an energetic public opinion which will control and enchain the aristocratic spirit of the government."I wouldn’t go quite so far as Jefferson, but you get the point.
On to my brother’s test…
Here are the rules:
A score of at least 70% is required on this exam in order for an eligible US citizen to be permitted to vote during in a national election (e.g. Congress and Presidential elections). A passing score qualifies a voter for five consecutive years of voting rights. A failing score disqualifies a citizen from voting for a period of six months, but can be taken once every six months until it is passed.
Here are the questions:
1) Name one of the two national senators from the state in which you are registered.
2) Name three of the original thirteen colonies.
3) Name the two main political parties in the US.
4) Name one of the following individuals: the Secretary of State, the Vice President, or
the Secretary of Defense.
5) The US is currently involved in two major wars; one in Iraq and one in
Afghanistan. Name the capital city of one of those two countries.
6) What does the acronym 'D.C.' stand for in the title of the nation's capital?
7) Name the century in which the US civil war was fought.
8) The legislative branch of government, one of its three branches, makes the nation's
laws. Name one other branch.
9) Name one US territory or possession.
10) How many states are in the US?
How did you do on the test?
As you can see, all of the answers to this test can be found for free by spending one hour at any public library in America. Yes, public libraries still exist. So please don’t tell me that this test isn’t fair to inner city kids and 90 year old women who might not have access to the internets.
Immigrants looking to gain citizenship are tested, fourth graders are tested to comply with No Child Left Behind, 16 year olds are tested in order to operate a car, and new recruits are tested to gain entry into the military. Testing is everywhere.
Test voters...before things get worse.
