Some people define “stupid voting” as anybody who disagrees with them. And so we have active efforts in this country to suppress the vote! To make sure that voters with a demographic that might lean away from your candidate stay away from the polls. “Let’s try to trick Democrats into thinking the voting day in November 5!” “Maybe we can convince Latino Voters that Police Officers are at the polls looking for people with outstanding traffic tickets!” From my perspective, voter suppression is an act of treason! Despicably unpatriotic.

Here’s the deal. It’s up to the parties and candidates to spell out their positions clear enough that even the STUPID and UNINFORMED people can get it.

We can’t have tests at the polls to make sure people are smart enough or informed enough to vote. We’ve tried that. It turned out that the only people getting tested were black. Turns out that was another form of (treasonous and unconstitutional) voter suppression.

As Americans we have very few patriotic responsibilities: paying taxes, serving in the military, jury duty, and voting. Isn’t it sad that many citizens of this great nation avoid these activities like the plague rather than participating in them with a patriotic fervor!? Can you really consider yourself an “American Citizen” if you avoid the responsibilities that come with the privileges that title conveys??

I feel particularly passionate about this because I used to be one of those people, and I’ve been ashamed of it ever since. I’ve changed my tune since then, and there’s no reason people shouldn’t be able to learn from my mistake.

I don’t advocate literacy tests, poll taxes, or other tests for voting; I think everyone should have a right to vote even if people vote stupidly. But as a matter of personal preference, if you don’t have a clue it’s wrong to vote.

Or they’re like my cousin, who has to “vote with my faith” but lets her church make that decision for her, instead of researching and choosing who *she* thinks is the better person.

I’m a big believer in research. Research everything. Go to Wikipedia if nothing else! Don’t vote just because someone tells you to, vote because you understand and care about the issues.

@maczter That’s pretty much in line with my own feelings on the issue, too — which is why it frustrates me so much to see everyone pushing the “go, vote” message instead of what they SHOULD be pushing: The “go, LEARN and vote” message.

Would you pick your spouse based solely on the info he or she chose to provide to you on a dating site?

Me neither.