Over the past few weeks, GOP Presidential hopefuls have been flipping answers to all of today’s ills from Medicare Reform to the Bombing of Libya to who should win American Idol. Every answer given is different, depending on the audience of the hour. At least they are consistent on being inconsistent.
At least one time or five times, each hopeful has shot themselves in the foot with an erratic response only to turn around and use the “Gotcha” moment statement, as if being set up to fail.
None, except Newt Gingrich, has given great insight into their ideas of policy and changes, except flipping on their previous ideas while in term as a Senator, Representative or even a Governor. Gov Pawlenty once favored Cap & Trade and now talks of its evils while Senator Rick Santorum is still running around looking for another Terry Schiavo to cuddle next too.
Newt Gingrich has currently called himself a “Washington Outsider” when talking policy, yet he is more inside then all the candidates combined tenfold. Last week, Newtie gave an impression on what he thinks of many voters with his “outside” thought, and I’m talking “outer space.”
Newtie, a man who is a cornucopia of historical knowledge, has called for a “Poll Test” of sorts for voters. To quote Newtie, “American citizens should have to pass a test in American history before they could earn the right to vote.”
Interesting thought, as I can say I believe we should test those running for political office at all levels, both intelligence and drug.
Yet Newtie is pointing his chubby Tiffany finger at “Young Americans” but not being age specific when giving that label. Most “Young Americans” are pretty darn knowledgeable of the comings and goings of our political figures and American history.
Although, what is taught in school of our history is periodical, mythical, and sometimes abbreviated for chest thumping purposes and no one gives more abbreviation to our history then those in or running for office and that of the opinionated news.
Test question #1: Did Paul Revere really ride all those miles exclaiming “The British are coming?”
But Newtie of all people should understand that by having Americans take a “test” of some sorts, can actually infringe upon one’s Constitutional right to Vote. After all, is this not a “Free Nation?”
So let’s look at what our Constitution states:
Amendment 15- Passed Congress Feb 26, 1869 - The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude
Amendment 19- Passed Congress June 4, 1919 - The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
Amendment 24 – Passed Congress August 27, 1962- The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay poll tax or other tax.
Amendment 26- Passed Congress March 23, 1971- The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age
Hmm, Newtie might be on to something, since Constitutional Amendments cover: Age, Race, Sex and Tax to vote. But there’s nothing listed about Intelligence or Cognitive thought or even if someone has Down syndrome or Autistic, heck physical deformation isn’t even covered. So really Newtie missed out on a large portion of Americans as well.
But, “Young Americans” can be assumed to cover those 18 years to (possibly) 24 years of age. Basically all those that would be attending College or even a Military boot camp of sorts. So what Newtie is calling for is “Intellectual Age Warfare” on voting rights.
I have to call into question the intelligence of our older generations as well. I noted above Down syndrome and those with physical impairments, so why not add those with Alzheimer’s as well?
It’s safe to say that many of Newtie’s lemmings receive their American history lessons from one of Newtie’s many books or even that of Glenn Beck, which is verbally distorted subjective history at best.
What Newtie should be calling for is Voter Identification regulations. There is no injustice or discrimination by asking someone to prove who they are. Aren’t we asked that anytime we are pulled over by a police officer or by the bank teller?
I am one to believe that there should be some sort of Voter ID. Now when I go and perform my Constitutional privilege of voting, I always make that sweet little blue hair lady check my registration card with my driver’s license. I also do the same when using my debit card, but hey that’s me.
You want to stop voter fraud, even though it has been dropping each and every election cycle, make everyone present their photo id before pressing the button. Or simply go to a form of National ID, an idea everyone is afraid of, which will have your info on it. Swipe the card and swipe your vote.
However, you cannot segregate a generation in voting. Many young Americans can drink the political kool-aid and become lemmings to the voice of these soapbox orators that spew promises yet give rhetoric in reality. That’s their decision to make, its democracy.
It’s been proven that many young Americans follow their parents political views until they reach their college life and…… hey wait a minute, I finally see Newtie’s true thought, either he still thinks kids are taught by Liberal professors (Newt’s original profession) that will influence their political thought or he’s afraid of those Delta House degenerates ruining his Pennsylvania Ave Parade on January 20th, 2012.
At least Dean Wormer had a better set of values on morals.
Answer Question #1: Revere never exclaimed “The British are Coming” on his journey, he use the term “The Regulars are coming” since everyone was still British at the time in America. Nor did he ride that far on his famous flight. Revere was also joined by 2 others. In truth, a Postal Carrier at the time names Israel Bissell rode further and longer then Revere, almost 6 days worth from Watertown to Boston down to Trenton and on to Philadelphia.
Thanks to Mr. Longfellow, for using fiction to create fact and selling many books.
usconstitution.net
Thinkprogress- Travis Waldron
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