Posted on 05/17/2011 2:35:22 PM PDT by Reese Hamm
Newt Gingrich is facing criticism for yet another idea he has floated during his presidential campaign -- that the country bring back tests for voting, which were banned by the Voting Rights Act of 1965 as a tool used to suppress African-American voters. Now, Think Progress reports, none other than Tea Party favorite Rep. Allen West (R-FL), an African-American, is disagreeing -- and referring to the sort of discrimination that his own parents faced.
(Excerpt) Read more at tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com ...
This is not a standard Alabama test. The standard test was two sets of four questions, plus reading aloud a section of the Constitution. They may have been chosen from this list, but any other resemblance to an actual test is purely coincidental.
This is NOT to say that the registrars didn't play fast and loose with literacy qualifications. They did, and they also picked and chose questions depending on the race of the applicant.
But it is not necessary for PBS to exaggerate and outright lie in order to make this point. But I guess it's open season on Alabama up at PBS.
Newt would probably pass the test. So would I. So what. He's a two-timing, back-stabbing cheat, and I wouldn't vote for him for dogcatcher.
No, it isn't. Question 24 asks about the type of government there "was" in Russia. "Communism" is the correct answer...but it wouldn't have been in 1965.
It is senseless on Newt’s part, despite the intellectualizing utility of wanting an informed voter base, there are plenty of us that remember the tactics used in the South and elsewhere to keep blacks from voting in significant numbers.
Anything that smacks of discrimination by race, sex or religion is a non-starter in an era only one generation removed from that time.
Off-the-Cuff, Brainy speculation has no place in a primary campaign unless you have a program and arguement ready to fully describe your brain-storm. Newt was a good tactical leader to take the House in the 90s, but he is showing how serving as a talking head and book author for 15 years makes you end up with a tin-ear for the temper of voters.
That’s indicative of a kind of elitism I’ve heard way more often from Lefties than I have from Conservatives.It’s a fond conceit of the modern Left that everyone right of Center is an uneducable boob, even thought they court hardcore constituencies L3eft-of-center who fit that descrioption—it’s clear Newt now subscribes to that notion, and shows his disconnect with common sense, not to mention profound tone-deafness. He’s given the Dems something to point to once more to (justifiably) paint him as an elitist. So far he’s doing all their work for them. What an idiot.
“...tests for voting, which were banned by the Voting Rights Act of 1965 as a tool used to suppress African-American voters.”
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So being an informed and educated citizen is an exclusive province of the white devils?
I think I get it, now........
HAHAHAHA. Sadly, very true.
“Instead of a literacy test for voters, why don’t we adopt a morality test for politicians?”
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Term limits would work just as well and be a lot easier to implement.
Is the source of that great statement still unknown?
Been probably two years since i first read it, and no one seemed to know where it came from then.
I think a dependency test is in order. Anyone on public assistance continuously for more than 12 months at the time of the vote is ineligible.
I would also like to see school budget voting restricted to property tax payers in the district - including renters (named on a leas), but not their kids or live-ins. If said rent is paid by the government, no vote.
This is off the top of my head - so feel free to amend or contradict the ideas if you wish to.
Yeah, you’re gonna have a litle problem with the equal protection clause if you try to take the vote from any citizen.
Did anyone actually listen to what Gingrich said? He said that in order to become a citizen, an applicant should be familiar with American History...and native citizens, even to vote, perhaps should have to learn about American history...that students today are ignorant about our history and couldn’t even pass a citizenship test. Allen West should not being playing the race card already...
At a minimum, proof of citizenship should be required to vote.
OK, so now local registrars, (who are all black) will often exempt black voters entirely from requirements for identification or proof of residence while attacking and beating any election observers who happen to be in the way.
Meet the new boss same as the old boss is no way to build a more prosperous society,
The left has too many voters right where they want them; dependent (on government money) and politically clueless. This is how we get a Barack Obama as our president. A hardcore leftist with no resume and a history of radical associations. A man way over his head with a distinct animus toward the America that has made him wealthy and powerful beyond belief - and he uses that power to undermine our economy and weaken America at every opportunity. Yet his 'approval' poll numbers are still in the mid-40's. They should be in the teens. This is why the GOP must nominate someone who can connect with voters that may not be interested in the same old cookie-cutter Republican politicians the GOP honchos want to nominate in 2012. Guys like Newt Gingrich, an opportunist that is not quite as clever as he presumes.
I believe that Sarah Palin is the conservative Republican candidate that can connect with voters who may not have read Shakespeare or cannot instantly name the three branches of government. She is 'authentic' and personable. She connects with the average person because she is one, despite her new-found wealth and fame. This is why the left loathes and fears her and have tried very hard to marginalize Palin, convince Republicans that she is 'toxic' and persuade the voting public that she is 'a joke'. They wish. Sarah Palin is an intelligent, resourceful, competent, bold leader with integrity and guts - and she appeals to millions of voters. In my opinion, she is our best hope for pulling America back from the brink of the socialist chasm the American Left has brought us to, with the help of Barack 'I killed bin-Laden' Obama. He can be defeated. Newt Gingrich can't do it but but Sarah Palin can. This is why I continue to support her and pray that she chooses to run in 2012.
We just need to make sure that that dictator is a RIGHT WING dictator and then we’ll be good.
Did you watch Gingrich’s entire Ga. speech? It was a good, thoughtful conservative 30 minute talk. Does Palin ever give this kind of speech?
Furthermore, if registering citizens were given a study guide something like the DMV uses for licensees, EVERYBODY should be required to take it and score at least 65% before being allowed to vote.
Col. West has this wrong. It isn't the test that is unfair, it is the handling of such tests that was unfair. E.G., in my state, I was required to read a portion of the Constitution to the clerk. It was up to the clerk to judge whether or not I read it correctly. Now that, that was potentially unfair.
Ain't nothin' wrong with litrisy tests, yoost keep'em fair and the same for evabody.
BTW, anybody with obnoxious (IMO) tattoos, or tattoos that cover more than 50% of visible skin, and who has any piercings beyond those for earrings, should not only be stricken from the voter rolls, but be given a severe buffeting about the head and shoulders, too. IMHO, of course!
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