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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsElisabeth Hasselbeck: Elections A ‘More Meaningful Measure’ If Voters Must Pass Test
Fox News host Elisabeth Hasselbeck on Monday argued that requiring a citizenship test to vote made the outcome of elections more meaningful. Two Republican state legislators in Utah last week announced a bill that would require students to pass a citizenship test before they could graduate high school. Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day OConnor, journalist Carl Bernstein, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and actor Joe Mantegna were backing similar measures in Utah and six other states.
On Monday, Utah Civics Education Initiative co-chair Lorena Riffo-Jensen told Hasselbeck that requiring a civics test was a good first step for encouraging students to be involved in the community. Hasselbeck suggested taking the idea one step further by requiring a test to vote. Should you have to answer, I mean, the majority of these questions? she wondered. If not by graduation of high school, but by the time you vote?
I think, personally, that anything you can do to ensure that our young people, our families are involved in civics, learning the history of our country is a positive, Riffo-Jensen agreed. And furthermore, how can you go into planning what the generation will do in the future if youre not prepared and understanding where we have been
You cannot be engaged without having the full knowledge and understanding of your nation.
Its a more meaningful measure when you vote perhaps too, Hasselbeck declared. I just wouldnt understand how we can be engaged citizens and voting if we dont know the history, how our government works, and I think this is something very important for all of us as Americans, Riffo-Jensen said. One part of the history that the Fox News segment did not cover, however, was how so-called literacy tests were used to disenfranchise black voters during segregation. http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/09/elisabeth-hasselbeck-elections-a-more-meaningful-measure-if-voters-must-pass-a-test/
aikoaiko
(34,172 posts)big_dog
(4,144 posts)she and Steve Doocy would most definitely fail
LondonReign2
(5,213 posts)In which case, Elizabeth and Dumb and Dumber are the perfect hosts.
you typed it so I didn't have to.
Brother Buzz
(36,444 posts)tularetom
(23,664 posts)rock
(13,218 posts)And I do mean "make up".
strawberries
(498 posts)gordianot
(15,242 posts)By her suggesting this she clearly failed that test.
Louisiana1976
(3,962 posts)immoderate
(20,885 posts)And then they will ask you if corporations are people, and if money is speech, and if Jesus wrote the Constitution. And you better get it right!
--imm
unblock
(52,257 posts)to be administered to undesirables, of course.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_vault/2013/06/28/voting_rights_and_the_supreme_court_the_impossible_literacy_test_louisiana.html
UTUSN
(70,711 posts)louis-t
(23,295 posts)1. Who is the bestest president who ever lived? Answer: Reagan. Also acceptable: Raegan, Raygun, Reigin, etc.
2. What was the U.S. like before Reagan saved us? Answer: It was a terrible place run by liberal communists, junkies and whores.
and with the wide berth for spelling, of course!
closeupready
(29,503 posts)And failed at even THAT. So you know the expression, be careful what you wish for. Same thing here.
UTUSN
(70,711 posts)first he said he doesn't agree with "everything" she believes, then he went on and on and it sounded like he doesn't agree with ANYTHING she believes, and he ended saying he doesn't know how she got to the things she now says.
closeupready
(29,503 posts)I get that everyone who knows her likes her. It's funny, though, that Probst seems to understand that she is a political basket case, lol.
Half-Century Man
(5,279 posts)A Yes answer disqualifies you to vote this cycle.
kelliekat44
(7,759 posts)JaneyVee
(19,877 posts)MohRokTah
(15,429 posts)Otherwise, she would know how, historically, passing a test in order to vote has been used to disenfranchise African Americans.
gratuitous
(82,849 posts)Either Hasselbeck is totally ignorant of this country's shameful history concerning "tests" for voting, or she knows good and well who administered those tests, how they were administered, and who was disenfranchised (at the very least) for decades.
Voting is a right, Ms. Hasselbeck. That means someone doesn't come schlumping down the line at the polling place, and pull citizens out of line, deciding this person doesn't get to vote, but that person does. No matter what some Supreme Court Justices did in their formative years. If you don't know that, then shut up until you learn something. If you do know that, and this kind of pig-ignorant statement still falls out of your mouth, why don't you really shut up?
Orsino
(37,428 posts)...s/he may qualify as a Fox spokesmodel.
sailfla
(239 posts)lpbk2713
(42,760 posts)OMFG, she's pathetic.
Gothmog
(145,340 posts)Gidney N Cloyd
(19,842 posts)ksoze
(2,068 posts)Her claim to fame was as a contestant on a reality show and now thrives on saying anything that will get medi attention - that is usually stupid stuff and she is a master.
Kingofalldems
(38,459 posts)Gidney N Cloyd
(19,842 posts)appleannie1
(5,067 posts)people can vote. That would totally end the Tea Party.
sadoldgirl
(3,431 posts)the need for more civics classes. I think they have been more or less disregarded.
Seems to me though that she does not realize that many of her listeners could not pass it.
gollygee
(22,336 posts)It's important to learn about it, but to suggest using learning about it as a way to circumvent it is scary. I'm sure a lot of people agree with her.
underpants
(182,836 posts)Ilsa
(61,695 posts)They might have the "IQ" or reasoning ability to understand issues and policies, but do poorly on tests.
I'm amazed that Conservatives would think this would benefit them over anyone else.
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)I think she'd look better with a white hood pulled over her face.
napkinz
(17,199 posts)GeorgeGist
(25,321 posts)Most Republicans would flunk.