[boxlunch]

And in red states, suffrage should revert to a more rational definition from such as that used in former times. Something such as, only property owners, or taxpayers may vote. If a state chooses to allow some small amount of “safety net”, anyone who accepts state charity immediately loses the right to vote. To regain full voting citizenship they must 1)stop accepting charity, 2)pay back all they accepted plus interest, and then 3) wait for X number of years from the time they cease accepting state charity benefits and have paid everything back. Maybe 10 years, or 15 after both conditions are met? It needs to be quite a long time so that the political price is VERY high for accepting charity from the state.

Hopefully if all this happens, we learn our lesson and leave charity to private groups, but if not, it must be decoupled from the ability to “buy” votes for a party by taking money by force from one group and giving it as a bribe to another group to vote that political party into office.

[Nowhere Man]

I always favored the idea of testing people before they can vote where they can understand English,do basic math and basic reading comprehension as well as U.S. history. If they pass the test, they can vote. If one is blind, deaf or otherwise handicapped where they need assistance, it will be provided but they must pass the test on their own. If one is on welfare, they lose the right to vote. When they get off of it, after 6 months, they get it back provided they passed the test (although it would be a good idea to retest). If one is on welfare because they are retired or can't work because of a bona fide medical conditions, a waiver will be issued provided they pass the test or have passed it.

Whether one is a coal miner, an industrialist, a housewife or a playboy, as long as they are not living off the system while ablebodied, if they pass the test, they can vote.