We have seen the enemy…
and he is us.
Yeah, well, can’t argue with that. Perhaps it could be shown that one’s individual state of dumbassedness at least decreases significantly from age 18 to 21, even if one’s relative dumbassedness within their peer group is not improved?
I’m not so worried.
Why?
Because I’m betting at least a quarter, if not half, of the people who responded that it went “too far” were being sarcastic and/or responding that way as a joke.
I’ve done it myself at times.
When presented with a survey or test that is clearly an insult to my intelligence (such as the practice Georgia High School Graduation tests), I’ve purposely written in comments to the test-makers (such as “grammar mistake here!”). My guess is that high school students saw it as a waste of their time, and treated it as such.
I really, really hope I’m right.
So you’re the asshole who had us believing Kerry was ahead. 
Err, yeah. That’d be the best way to ensure the tenets of the Constitution remain intact.
I don’t see why people are surprised, and I don’t see why people think it’s exclusive to the young. I’ve read so many things from people, on here and elsewhere, that show they just don’t grok the concept of the separation of church and state, and the three-branch system of government, that make me wonder whether I’m the only person who had to take civics in school.
You are correct. I meant record proportion (y’know, the whole “Vote or Die” thing, etc.). Apologies, good sir.
Point still stands, though. It’s not that kids are necessarily uninformed, it’s that they don’t care. And that apathy keeps them from the voting booth, and so I sleep easy.
I believe there is only one thing left to do: Launch a preemptive strike against highschool students in the name of national security.
What other choice do we have? 
Sure beats out having ignorant people making decisions about my future.
For example if you answered there was a big 'ol link between SH and OBL (something people still believe), you’re disqulified from voting. Man would that be nice or what?
Works for me. I teach the little monsters! 
I kid!
XWalrus2, I hope you are right. I do that to idiotic questionaires, too. But still…what will it take to get them involved?
Suggestions, anyone?
Anyone?
Bueller?
During the height of McCarthyism, people were given the text of the Declaration of Independence and asked if they would be willing to sign it. Only 1% agreed to do so. I guess the “all men are created equal” line sounded a bit suspiciious.
I don’t think it would make much of a difference. It’s not like 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds do all that much voting as it is.
During those ages I only voted once, and that was in the 2000 election.
I don’t think so…
Source: CIRCLE
The share of votes cast by youth (youth votes as a proportion of all votes) was about the same as in 2000, though.
I think what I found more disturbing was that only 51% of students agreed with “newspapers should be allwoed to publish freely without government approval of stories.” Of course, I also find it disturbing that only 80% of teachers and principals agreed.
'course, I had to roll my eyes and chuckle at the next item: “Musicians should be allowed to sing songs with lyrics which others may find offensive.”
70% of students agreed, 53% of teachers agreed, and only 43% of principals agreed.
Free speech is great when it’s speech you like, I guess.
I’d probably go the other way with it. Lower it to 12 or 13 or something, but require to pass a civics test to vote before age 18 (something like a “learner’s permit” for driving). That would involve kids in the process at an earlier age so, hopefully, by the time they’re in the 18-21 demographic they’ve got a handle on it.
If you raise the age to 21 then you reduce the incentive for people under 21 to pay attention to the world around them. As if they need help! Raise it to 30, and you delay the onset of adult thinking even further.
Question: did the draft during Vietnam induce younger people to vote in higher numbers than normal?
Yes, the voter turnout for 14, 15, 16, and 17 year olds was tied for the lowest in history. It’s a 215 year steak of ZERO.
Silly rabbit.
From the OP’s link:
What brings the importance of these issues home to people is actually experiencing pressure against the exercise of their rights.
Paradoxically, some students today are becoming more informed about civil liberties because of repressive practices on the part of schools (“zero-tolerance” policies, locker searches, banning of certain student clubs, etc.). Post-Columbine hysteria led to students being suspended for having “unusual-colored” hair, making fun of school officials, and many other silly things. IIRC the ACLU is pursuing more “students’ rights” lawsuits than ever before, and has a special Student Rights webpage on the topic.
Well decisions like Hazelwood School Dist. v. Kuhlmeier (1988) certainly don’t help build respect for the First Amendement.
Turn out the lights before you leave and don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.
Clothahump: Turn out the lights before you leave
No need, the darkness is growing rapidly.
So you’re basically calling for a return of the “literacy tests” enacted during the Jim Crow era used to keep African Americans from voting, except you would use them against all “ignorant” people. Heck, why not bring back poll taxes and grandfather clauses, too? :rolleyes:
Hate to break this to you, but everyone of legal age (barring certain restrictions based on criminal acts) has the right to vote. Even people that disagree with you, or that you view as “ignorant”.
And by the way, I’m not defending the ridiculous students mentioned in the OP.