Give it a serious thought: an IQ-test for politicians

[DetlefK]

To put it blunt: I am appalled and shocked by the level of political discourse in the US. Outright obstruction, blatant lying live on camera, denying the undeniable...

What about making an IQ-test mandatory for all higher political positions? (Average is 100, so you have to be at least that smart.)
Karl Rove and Dick Cheney would definitely pass the test, but several other republican politicians wouldn't.

How possible is it, that this bill would pass?
There is still this strong "smart-guys-are-arrogant-assholes"-sentiment among republicans, because it bodes well with the ignorant part of the voting-block. But how would the Democrats stand to this?

What would happen, if it would pass?
I guess, it would disqualify a non-deniable amount of republican politicians and maybe also democratic politicians. But that means, trading incompetent, stupid republican politicians for smart ones.
Would that be good for the country?
Would that be good for the Democratic party?

[babylonsister]

1. How about an IQ test for brain dead Americans who vote for these

obvious clowns?

[iamthebandfanman]

2. unfortunately

an IQ test doesnt measure someones intent or their ability to be a 'good' person.

intelligent people can be evil too, after all

[TheCoxwain]

3. Politicians are very smart ... their smartness lies in manipulating people

[cali]

4. lol. IQ doesn't measure ethics or compassion or even common sense

A high IQ doesn't preclude greed or dishonesty. And intelligence isn't that easily measured anyway.

[katanalori]

6. I am FOR it -

Along with a basic test of knowledge of our Constitution, U.S. History and the Bill of Rights.
People like Palin would never make it through any of those "doors" that God is supposedly cracking open for her.

[SmileyRose]

5. They have plenty of brains -- a lot of evil fucking brains around but brains none the less. nt

[sofa king]

8. Yep.

The only thing it might do is prevent another W. from acting as puppet-in-chief. Sarah Palin would be very sad.

But think about where that would get you: if you took the stupid out of the Bush Administration, what would you be left with? Pure fucking evil, that's what. It's the stupid what saved us, yo.

Sooner or later, with such a law in place, the GOP would find someone smart and ruthless and amoral and charismatic. Frankly, I don't want the GOP actively searching for that person.

[msongs]

7. how 'bout they have to pass the latest high school exit exam? nt

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

9. IQ tests are some pretty stupid shit.

I question the intelligence of anybody who takes IQ seriously.

That said, any politician advocating for standardized testing in schools should be willing to take those exams and have the results posted publically.

[SmileyRose]

10. I took an IQ test once and everyone busted out laughing at the result

I supposedly have an IQ of 148 but learning from books is quite a challenge for me.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

12. Everyone gets a 148.

It's an internet cliche.

Somebody asks for other people's IQ and everybody posts "148."

Did you take your "test" with one of those online electronic versions? I hope you didn't send them any money.

Oh, and IQ tests don't have anything to do with book learning. Never did.

[SmileyRose]

17. I took it on paper in the 80's as part of a job application

[NoPasaran]

11. As one of our state senators once said...

"If you took all the fools out of the Legislature it would no longer be a representative body."

[Noodleboy13]

13. IQ is really only an abstract concept comprised of many different elements..

that taken as whole will offer an idea as to a person's analytical and reasoning skills. It is not predictive of performance, success or character. It seems fairly irrelevant as far as a necessary requirement for president. I've seen pop-up ads for IQ tests that claim Obama's IQ is 128. That would put him well into 2 standard deviations higher than normal (100), roughly in the top 15% of the population. Would you rather have a president with a 138 IQ but who was uncharismatic?
People often make a lot of hash about IQ, on it's scientific validity or cultural bias.... I've always just viewed it as another test. For myself, I've consistently tested above 3 SD my entire life, and I can barely manage a household, much less an entire country.

peace.
Noodleboy

[TheCentepedeShoes]

14. I would like to see

a segment of any election debate be devoted to questions regarding the Constitution, history, geography, economy, etc. The higher the office, the more time devoted.
Local and state office seekers could be limited to the Constitution and state stuff
Senators and Reps would go farther out
Prez contenders, anything goes that is relevant to functioning on the world stage

But not little pop quiz questions like What's the capital of Poland?
As in former Pretzel, er Prez, scratching head. "Krackcow, no that's not it, that's where the Pope is from, no wait, he lives somewhere else...the capital of Poland is Rome."

More like, what are the three largest private industries of (say) Mississippi?
With the follow up question, how many jobs have been lost in the last (say) five years?

[Lost in CT]

15. That would discriminate against Rhode Island a democratic stronghold..

so no.

[Missy Vixen]

16. I've held political office

Unfortunately, political office is a constant struggle between the perfect and the good. If those here are convinced it's such a cakewalk, please -- run for local office. On top of it, those who spend the most time in office either can outraise and outspend their opponents, or live in an area in which nobody else is willing to run.

I've challenged so many people on this site to run for office. Over and over and over, I get the same answers: "I don't want to." "I have skeletons in my closet." "It's not my problem." It's EVERYONE'S problem. It's all about those who have the guts to visit the courthouse or the local department of elections and fill out the paperwork, mount a campaign, and persist till they win.

In the meantime, I'll see you and raise you. I think political office should be filled the same way we choose people for jury duty -- completely randomly. Obviously, there will be some people who attain office that are unsuitable. If EVERYONE had to serve, we might be pleasantly surprised at what we'd end up with.

[AllentownJake]

19. I plan on running

However, I'll be more effective when I understand

1) How to get elected (I volunteer for political races)
2) How the local government works (Learning that)
3) I have some savings for my race

[AllentownJake]

18. I'd rather have a psychological test for sociopathy

Bush plays dumb. He isn't dumb. The man was a sociopath.