who should be allowed to vote?

Who should vote in the United States? Well….frankly, not many. As it stands today, everyone can vote, unless you are incarcerated, which you then forefitted your rights when you committed a crime under the laws of the United States. In 1920, women were granted the rights to vote during women’s suffrage act and shortly after in 1965 African Americans could vote as well. The 15^th amendment is an act that prohibits states from imposing any voting qualifications or prerequisites to vote, or standard, practice or procedure. In simple terms no one is denied a vote, regardless of color, gender, sexuality, etc.

Personally, I think voting should be regulated. The vote should be restricted to only those who pay taxes and a standardized test that shows a minimum capability of knowledge about the candidates running, which is a huge majority of the people in the United States anyways. Many would argue that all men are created equal, which is literally the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. I believe everyone is BORN equal, however not everyone earns equality. Everyone SHOULD be treated with respect and dignity but not everyone deserve equally as much as someone who works their tail off versus the person who commits crimes or exempts themselves from paying taxes. There should be no voting rights for those who freeride. Simple as that. If a person is dependent on welfare (this is excluding those who truly cannot work) and I am a working citizen, why is my vote just as important as someone who is jobless and I pay my taxes to fund their mundane lifestyle? I vote because I refuse to let this country become a socialistic pit hole. Your banking on the pure merit of people’s judgement. What happens when uneducated people vote? We let the rot and stupidity spread? Or what about the superficial aspects? Just because someone is young, better looking, a different race or excellent speech skills does not make that person a fit president! What does the candidate favor? What policies does he advocate? What is his background like? His upbringing? How many people in this country truly know what is going on? Or rather how many people actually voted for a candidate solely based on great campaign advertisement? Is there a correlation between voters economic class and which party they follow? Absolutely.  So does that mean they just need a good face to put there? Your vote should be based on how you live, and how the president’s policies will affect you and your finances. You don’t vote based on what’s emotionally appealing or pleasant sounding and this notion of sympathy towards excluding people from voting is also just your emotional appeal. I think there should be a simple citizens qualification test to demonstrate a basic knowledge of skills of the candidates that are running, and that of their manifestos of their hopeful terms. It shouldn’t be complicated and none of your rights would be sacrificed, only time. This in turn would hopefully weed out the ill-informed and truly focus on a politically based campaign. Some might be concerned that this may discourage many from voting at all, but if you truly cared about your vote and your future finances why wouldn’t you? Voting is more than just a personal expression, it is your engagement in this countries political processes. If one cannot be so bothered as to get off the couch and make an effort for their democracy, do they really deserve a say in my life as well? Hell no. Voting is a privilege that should be earned, not granted.

With this being said, there is nothing morally wrong with being ignorant about politics. Seriously. You don’t HAVE to vote. No one is going to penalize you for abstaining. In fact I congratulate those who don’t vote because they felt uninformed. I am a victim of miss information as well. I did not vote locally or about any new and upcoming policies because I did not educate or read up on them. I will not vote on something I don’t know about. Wearing an “I Voted” sticker does not make you a good citizen of this country but rather participant in a grand tradition of democracy. That’s why people vote. They have an intrinsic motive to vote even though it takes time and gas. The want for a better democracy is the individualistic incentive. If this holds true, your voting because you care about your lifestyle and economic status, not the washable shirt with a sticker on it. Voting does not make you an American. In no way shape or form does voting hold a self-worth. Therefore, don’t vote, just to vote. Voting is an investment in your future. Educate yourself and responsibly vote.