So what? That just means they have smart reasons for doing stupid things.
How does that make them any better as voters?
Keep in mind that the most important purpose of democracy is legitimacy. Most "stupid" people understand that they don't understand a whole lot and elect reps who they think are good leaders... and to some extent they may be more realistic (though not always in their assessment of candidates) than smart people who fancy themselves to actually know a lot about everything.

But when it comes down to it, people- smart or dumb- have interests and agendas that are short-sighted and tunnel-visioned. Anything that limits the numbers of varying interests and agendas limits the overall perspective, overall legitimacy, and the very fabric of democracy!
Using something like a degree as a requirement essentially takes the poor out of the equation altogether- even more than property requirements (and even more arbitrarily when it comes down to it).
Want to change the system? Educate the masses better. Bring them into discussion.

The requirement method is backward... It will limit the types of interests in government, further turn off poor people from legitimate government, and make the entrenched interests even more strongly for using the education system and other such institutions to ensure that they keep their privileged spot in politics... at least until the poor folks start demanding their heads.

These types of requirements are a step backward. I really cannot believe how many people are seriously backing it. Especially liberals... Is this a short-sighted reaction to the "idiots" that backed Bush? Instead of allowing the big money folks to just manipulate the "stupid" masses, just give control directly to big money folks?
Gimme a break.

stupid is already defined in a legal sense. In fact, the really stupid people cannot even be prosecuted, it's just a very low standard of stupidity.[/quote]

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That information is classified and to be given only on a need-to-know basis...

And I do not need to know.

Education doesn’t make you smart, it just makes you educated. Smart is what you do with the education you got.

So no, let people vote how they want to, stupid, educated or whatever.

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If it was that easy, everyone would do it.

Some people are dumb...

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Collective? I'm sure thats easy when your not surrounded by a bunch of (*)(*)(*)(*)ing retards!!!

These sorts of questions pop up repeatedly in forums such as this and I find myself wondering at times whether many of those expressing support for such a system realize that their writing reveals a bit of their own degree of education.

I have encountered more than a few over the years who's support indicates that they really wish to opt out of the system.

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I've had a perfectly wonderful evening......... but this wasn't it. -- Marx

Freedom to vote includes the freedom not to vote.

Wanting only "educated" people to vote is elitist thinking and goes against anything our country stands for.

Who will ultimately decide on "who is educated enough" to vote? Will that "test" be fair or agenda driven?

Honestly i can't believe some here actually consider this to be an issue...but then isn't that what true freedom is all about.

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"The most brilliant propagandist technique will yield no success unless one fundamental principle is borne in mind constantly - it must confine itself to a few points and repeat them over and over”
-Joseph Goebbels"

actually, no it doesn't. Everyone has the chance to get a proper education. Or are you claiming that the US stands for "not getting a education"? because that's what your claiming when you say "it goes against anything our country stands for".

simple criterea, anyone with any kind of university degree (ie bachelor).


hey, i'm all for true freedom, just not the freedom to use stupidity to choose someone elses future, which is basicly what democracies nowadays are about.

Your right, dumb people can achieve things. I'll rephrase:

People who have achieved things can have the right to vote.

I purpose a test with only one question, you'll still be able to vote after you take the test, but your balllot will be cast aside if you fail to answer the question correctly.

Name the three branches of government and very briefly describe the function of each.

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educated people make (in general) educated choices.

and smart people are in general lazy.

that's an easy one, and actually quite a good one, it sums the total of all democracies into a neat question.