bricks drown the sound

Here we have from the editor of one of the country's most influential conservative newspapers, National Review:

Look, I am as opposed as anyone to writing bigotry into electoral law. But perhaps the reason why so many people hold their votes so cheap is that their votes are, in fact, cheap. A heartbeat and existence on this planet for 18 years are the only qualifications to vote for American citizens.

What would be so bad about discrimination, properly understood? Not based on race or income, but on knowledge and commitment. Every election year, the race comes down to ?the undecideds,? many of whom are undecided because they don?t pay attention, don?t much care, and are still vexed by the task of discerning the difference between Republicans and Democrats. These are our kingmakers?

Would it be so awful if voters had to pass the same test of basic civic literacy that immigrants must pass to become citizens? What if we made the right to vote something to brag about? Something to aspire to? Is high turnout among people willing to hawk their vote for an iPod really that much better than high turnout among people who hold their franchise dear?


Mr. Goldberg's rhetorical techniques seem crude. here is one of the classics:

I will be the last to act thusly, always seems to precede the very proposal. in most forms, it is followed by "but," then one of the variants of "these tumultuous times call for drastic measures."

perhaps things are growing extreme when the apathetic rabble will trade their vote for an iPod. what kind of questions would be on the citizenship test that qualifies voters?

1. What body can try impeachments of the president of the United States?
2. Check the applicable definition of responsibility:
_____a duty
_____a speech
_____failure
3. Name the attorney general of the United States.
4. Women can vote on juries in Alabama State courts. (T/F)

1. If a person charged with treason denies his guilt, how many persons must testify against him before he can be convicted?
2. At what time of day on January 20 each four years does the president of the United States end?
....

These and other questions that demonstrate knowledge and commitment to citizenship can be found here. It is a circa 1965 literacy test used by the state of Alabama.