Americans are fueled by a sense of entitlement. Many of us, having never struggled for the rights and opportunities afforded to us, are content to indifferently reap the benefits. As this election season comes to a close, it's time to look at one of the most basic rights granted by our country: voting.
In the eyes of the U.S. Constitution, all men are created equal. I take no issue with that; the guarantee of fundamental human rights is a distinguishing characteristic of our national identity. But it's time to acknowledge that maybe, just maybe, we need to rethink America's voting requirements.
Perhaps you've seen these statistics before, but regardless, they warrant repeating: In 2007, 33 percent of Americans still thought Saddam Hussein was involved in 9/11. Despite Al Gore's movie and the media attention to climate change, 40 percent believe there is significant disagreement among scientists regarding the existence global warming, and 29 percent believe it is caused by natural environmental changes. Perhaps due to catchy political chants ("Drill, baby, drill!"), 51 percent believe that offshore drilling will lower gas prices by 2009.
The history teachers of America will hang their heads in shame and frustration: Only 40 percent of Americans can name the three branches of governments. Twenty-five percent know the term of a U.S. senator is six years, and only 20 percent of Americans know there are 100 senators.
In 2007, after five years in Iraq, only 21 percent could name the secretary of defense. Forty-nine percent of Americans believe that the president can suspend the Constitution; 25 percent can name at least two freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment, but more than 50 percent can name at least two members of the Simpsons family on television. Thirty-four percent know that Congress declares war; 76 percent can't name two justices on the Supreme Court.
Civic ignorance isn't merely confined to the rural corners of Idaho or Kansas: A 2007 Intercollegiate Studies Institute report found that 15,000 college students at 50 schools nationwide scored on average under 55 percent on a test of basic American civics.
The political ignorance of the American public extends far beyond what clever statistics can reveal. It is not just ignorance of basic facts and events that's striking but the disinclination to become more informed. It is the stubborn desire to cling to our beliefs regardless of what the facts reveal. It is the inability to look beyond politicians and policies that serve only to grant our most immediate and superficial demands. It is the irrationality of choosing leaders based on personality, skin color or gender. It is the susceptibility to politicians exploiting stereotypes and repeating meaningless catchphrases.
Attempt, for a moment, to disregard the unconditionally democratic values that you have been instilled with since birth. From a purely objective standpoint, the lack of voting requirements is reckless. The leaders of one of the most politically, economically and militarily powerful countries in world history are being selected by a fickle, ignorant and indifferent electorate.
In order to simply become a licensed driver in the United States, I had to offer proof of my capability to operate a moving vehicle. I sat through hours of driver education and behind-the-wheel training to hone my skills and took both a written and practical test. Yet to become a voter in the United States and have a voice in deciding the way in which the United States should be governed, why did I merely need to fill out a simple form with my name and address?
Voting is an exercise that entails significant results and as such, should have basic conditions attached to its use.
I propose some standards. Nothing exceedingly difficult -- just a basic civics test that would require voters to prove their knowledge (or perhaps disprove their ignorance?) about the American political system and current events, both global and national.
I realize, of course, that such a test is hardly practical or unbiased; it would reduce the already dismal voter turnout and skew the electorate to allow only those who can afford to pursue higher education and spend time reading the news. Nonetheless, Americans are by and large unqualified to be casting ballots this November, and that must change.
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