Elected Officials should be required to take the Naturalization Test

[Zkribbler]

VP Mike Pence has kicked off Black History Month by thanking a white guy.

As #BlackHistoryMonth begins, we remember when Pres. Lincoln submitted the 13th Amendment, ending slavery, to the states #NationalFreedomDay

If Pence knew his Constitution, he'd know that the President isn't involved in creating Constitutional amendments. They go from Congress to the states for ratification.

Because these yahoos are now running the government, they should have a working knowledge of how it works. I suggest that, before an elected official takes office, officials should be able to pass the naturalization test that we give to those applying for US citizenship.

Here's a practice exam.
https://my.uscis.gov/prep/test/civics/view

 

[Lemon Merchant]

Heck, they should have to take a mental competency exam, as well.

 

[Kozmos]

I'd really just like basic science competency on committees regulating technology.

 

[Commodore]

Nah, naturalization test is too easy. They need to be given an exam that is nothing but short essay questions that force them to explain how different parts of our government work, none of this multiple choice crap. With multiple choice, there's a chance they could just guess the right answer and still pass without really knowing how our government works.

 

[jackelgull]

Heck, they should have to take a mental competency exam, as well.

Don't be so ableist

 

[Lemon Merchant]

Don't be so ableist

You don't think a competency exam is a good idea? Weed out the nuts BEFORE they get into office and screw with our lives?

 

[jackelgull]

I'm just kidding, of course I think a mental competency exam is a good idea, although I'm worried about the bias and flaws inherent in any system of testing we use to measure mental competency. And I am appalled we've gotten to this stage where voters would choose someone who'd need a mental competency test.

 

[Commodore]

I'm just kidding, of course I think a mental competency exam is a good idea, although I'm worried about the bias and flaws inherent in any system of testing we use to measure mental competency. And I am appalled we've gotten to this stage where voters would choose someone who'd need a mental competency test.

Well, when you have a garbage electorate, chances are they are going to elect garbage leaders. Remember: in a democracy, the government is a reflection of the people it represents. It's almost like democracy offers the government the ultimate excuse to not have to take any blame for their actions. Anytime the people try to criticize them for something they can just throw out the ole "hey, you're the ones who put us in here" excuse and absolve themselves of all blame.

 

[GoodSarmatian]

I've believed for quite some time that there should be test before you're able to vote, and it should be repeated every twelve or sixteen years to weed out voters who don't keep up. It goes against democratic principles, but those principles are from a world where newspapers and journalists were strong, the news were less coopted by corporations, and there was no social media where conspiracy theories are amplified in echo chambers. Ideally the test would not only include questions about the political and legal system, but also test for basic scientific literacy and knowledge. You believe vaccines cause autism ? Ok, you're entitled to your opinion. You're not entitled to vote for a government that handles healthcare.

The main problem with this test is that it requires a really good public education system or it will just discriminate agains the poor. That's a really big problem, especially for the USA now that DeVos has been confirmed as education secretary.

 

[Commodore]

I've believed for quite some time that there should be test before you're able to vote, and it should be repeated every twelve or sixteen years to weed out voters who don't keep up. It goes against democratic principles, but those principles are from a world where newspapers and journalists were strong, the news were less coopted by corporations, and there was no social media where conspiracy theories are amplified in echo chambers. Ideally the test would not only include questions about the political and legal system, but also test for basic scientific literacy and knowledge. You believe vaccines cause autism ? Ok, you're entitled to your opinion. You're not entitled to vote for a government that handles healthcare.

The main problem with this test is that it requires a really good public education system or it will just discriminate agains the poor. That's a really big problem, especially for the USA now that DeVos has been confirmed as education secretary.

Well a backup plan for those who fail the test could be a system like in Starship Troopers. If you fail the test, you could still gain the right to vote by completing a set number of years of "federal service" (which would most likely be military service).

 

[sophie]

Well, when you have a garbage electorate, chances are they are going to elect garbage leaders. Remember: in a democracy, the government is a reflection of the people it represents. It's almost like democracy offers the government the ultimate excuse to not have to take any blame for their actions. Anytime the people try to criticize them for something they can just throw out the ole "hey, you're the ones who put us in here" excuse and absolve themselves of all blame.

It's almost as if when you suck all the money out of the schools, the population becomes dumb....

 

[Commodore]

It's almost as if when you suck all the money out of the schools, the population becomes dumb....

Political literacy has nothing to do with schools though. By the time you are able to vote you are out of government-mandated education and on your own as an adult. And it is the responsibility of each voter to keep themselves informed on the issues, not the government or the schools. I also wouldn't necessarily call our electorate dumb either. I think lazy is a more appropriate term to describe our electorate since a lot of people seem to just not want to take the time to keep up with politics. I mean, you could be a very intelligent person overall, but if you don't keep yourself informed, then you aren't going to know much more about what you are voting for than the village idiot.

 

[Vectors]

In a democracy people get the government they deserve...

 

[bernie14]

If he is truly mentally incompetent, i will submit his n648

 

[Lexicus]

Good thing the US isn't a democracy then, because if the US were a democracy and Trump reflected us the only just solution would be to kill most of us and reduce the rest to illiterate peasants. That way we can be ruled by Trump if we want but it would be a lot harder for our idiocy to hurt other countries.

 

[timtofly]

Good thing the US isn't a democracy then, because if the US were a democracy and Trump reflected us the only just solution would be to kill most of us and reduce the rest to illiterate peasants. That way we can be ruled by Trump if we want but it would be a lot harder for our idiocy to hurt other countries.

Are you claiming that the Republic is still strong and keeping us from being a full fledged democracy? Sounds like the constitution is still working.

 

[Lexicus]

Yes, though frankly I think that, now that the Constitution has given us President Trump, we can all agree it's time to tear it up and make something new because any system of government that produces Trump has a head of state is fundamentally illegitimate and stupid.

 

[timtofly]

I don't think the Constitution gave us Trump. I think the way globalism is evolving gave us Trump. Humanity just hates seeing it's darkest side, if that is what they are claiming about Trump.

 

[Lexicus]

I don't think the Constitution gave us Trump.

If it weren't for the electoral college Trump would have lost. Blame the slaveholders' compact.

 

[warpus]

The Democrats not providing a viable candidate for people to vote for, and people's general dissatisfaction with regressive left-leaning politics and related nonsense, plus the general demand to vote in a "populist" president, is what gave you Trump.