If it's going to be 50% it should be a certain 50%, otherwise people who know everything about one candidate will pass, but they may not know that they may prefer the other candidate. Good idea though
sound like some Jim Crow Law type propaganda to me. This is how they kept NIGGAZ from voting in the last century... I have to disrespectfully disagree .... In America you are free to make an illadvised decision if you like to, if you want to be ignorant to the issues, you can... if the people who did not know the issues found out they had to take a test ,,, no one would vote, EVER!!
In Germany we at least have since some years a decision helper website (official) where you can answer a questionnaire and then get the result how much your ideas correlate with all the parties respectively. But then, we also had a tv show where voters were interviewed and their stupidity was ... well, maybe "devastating" is the right word here.
I don't argue against it. In fact I think the way I lay it out would be fair to all. I should run for president. Of course I should do it before they have voter test so I can pull the wool over they eyes of all the clueles voters who don't know that I'm not offering jack shit but my own self serving agenda, then once in I would enact the law that would help stop people like me from getting in. ;)
maybe my english is too bad to get the joke.. I think you are meaning - in your last comment - stopping people from voting would be like an dictator-move.. or didnt i get it ?
but an election with people voting for (or against) somethin that they dont even know is clueless, isnt it ?
There must be some way of forcing people to become educated about how they vote instead voting clueless, but you don't want to deny the right to vote.
50%, 50%...dat ain't much, dang, how much "less" you gotta be? 50% that's all I'm asking, baby, 50% ...half-assed is acceptable, dat's all I'm sayin...
People are voting blindly today, sadly. Because they want that free* cup of coffee at starbucks. Well, hopefully who ever elected, will do something right in the four or seven years of running. Who knows, maybe one of them could firgure out that they have to change the congress to change america.. Hmm
good topic, though we both know that people are so lazy to even go and vote. 50% pass, well youd be lucky if 50% of the population would actually go and vote. And as you say a high number of that doesnt have a good knowledge of what they are voting for, but who they are voting for.
You might want to tackle a topic of what the media can actually do to introduce each party and what they stand for instead of stressing gossip of what each leaders life. Because as we all know media is the most influential and very often is used to simply corrupt peoples way of thinking via psychology.
Do you watch the TV show, Boston Legal? They recently had an episode with a 17 year old girl who wanted to vote. Her reason? She knew more than ANYONE I know, about the candidates, the process, and government in general. It was a real eye-opener.
And FTR, I my views are very different that what most people would expect.
Unfortunately, with my user name, most people make a lot of assumptions about me. And ironically, most of them are way off base. I just refuse to discuss certain topics =)
This might require people to actually read, and you'll have a hard time convincing someone to read when their entire philosophy on life is "Books are stupid....I have street smarts."
Yeah, but then they would if they want to vote because they would have to. And if they were to lazy or obstintate to read or get someone to read it to them, they couldn't vote. As it is now that lazy or apathetic bozo who doesen't give a shit will go out and vote because some community register or friend is giving them a hard time so they do it just to do it without honing up on what's what.
come on, the right to vote was spread from white men to all citizens a long time ago but supposedly finally guaranteed by federal law in the 60's sometime. Yes, I could quote the dates.
Nothing short of national voter registration by right of being a citizen will be the moral and correct way to handle voting. We have the technology we just need the will.
Lets combine controlling votes with control of our borders. Fix our system to at least the level of faking the dollar... lol. counterfeit. :(
Another tangent that has nothing to do my video. I didn't say non-citizens should be able to vote. And the reason people vote without knowing jackshit is not because they are illegals. And when you "spread" the vote and then tar & feather, and lynch certain people for doing it, why, that's not really spreading it all, is it? It was a while before everyone had the vote and 60s is late, my friend the "moral" thing was slow in coming. But non of that has anything to do the point of this video ;)
i thought your point was who should be able to vote, and i MEANT to say there should be only one test - united states citizenship. Of course it is state by state, county by county, district by district that decides the vote, and I think that Voters Rights of 65 didnt change a damned thing.
Maybe I missed the point of your video, but not in any of the ways you suggested.
I still don't see where non-citizens are voting and how being a citizen automatically gives you knowldge about who the candidates are what issues are being debated (which is what I wish people were more aware of when they pull the lever - and think a test would help them to be aware of) but whatever...
I don't think non citizens are voting, i just think the only test should be citizenship, instead of hoops that people have to jump through to vote... And yeah, people should be more aware, but I just think there are already too many politically motivated tests to advocate your unbiased common sense test. However, your proposed test would surely help my favored candidate in this election - because I think someone would have to be an idiot to vote for McCain. Hence, they fail.
Well it is just citizenship isn't? I mean, there aren't any test, biased or unbiased that you have to take in order to vote. You just have to be a citizen. So you have your preferred criteria already. So no problem from your view, really.
Some interesting ideas how to deal with this "dumbness and ignorant but I vote"-issue.
Even more important seems the issue how to get people THINK. I am not talking of leftist of right-wing attitudes (evaluation). But most people lack some proper knowledge of what a political program might mean or imply.
Basically, and I am thinking of Europe as well, the states should put more focus on real education, on educated citizens. That is more important than a test I think.
So stand up 4 the champions. 4 the champions stand up. Stand up stand up 4 the champions for the champions. Stand up 4 the champions. 4 the champions stand up
Stand up. And when I fall down
I have to pick myself back up. So stand up stand up for the champions...you know you want 2. YES YOU CAN
The test must include this statement under True or False:
According to one of the most influential founding fathers President Thomas Jefferson, and the United States Supreme Court, the First Amendment in the United States Constitution dictates that Church and State must be kept separate.
Fair enough, you have to pass a driver's test to get behind the wheel and rive and voting with out knowledge is getting behind the most dangerous wheel there is.
I think the problem is not with an individuals lack of any knowledge, but a lack of unbiased knowledge, does that make sense? They don't judge things by a society's morals, and a societys greater functions. Half the time the knowledge voters are armed with is biased and centralised around them as individuals.
Great video! But I'm going to have to disagree with you on this one. It is our Right, not a privilege to vote. Plus, tests can easily be used to exclude a group of people simply by the choice of questions and how they are written.
Ok, you guys are forcing me to take my satire more seriously than intended but that's cool I guess cause it's a sensitive issue, so I will: I don't know where you get that I said it's a "privilege and not a right" Free speech is a right, but we mostly all agree that there are limits and stipulations on free speech. And I stated quite clearly that you would have to be careful because test can be a slippery slope that excludes people. Listen again if you didn't hear that. Also...
Also, I have to say, I don't agree that test can "easily" be biased. In fact I think I would take great effort to make a test of this sort "biased" - Sarah Palin is against abortion. True or False? What's biased about that. And if you don't know then you must go and find out. Just like when you don't pass your drivers test, you go and re-read the booklet, or you practice your parking. This way all those people who don't have a clue would at least have a half-assed idea of who they vote for. ;)
I like your proposal. Only thing is the system is corrupt. The system needs repairing, it's in very bad shape. I don't plan on Obama to do much of anything, like advancing America in four years? As much as I like to dream, it's the same slow song and slow dance, like the waltz or something. Oh well, good video.
I love your eclectic collection of cups, it looks like my collection. It's being reported that 6 percent of the early voters in Florida don't know who they voted for. America is dumbing down the education system by design. The problem is I and my family still want to live here. Palin the 2012 Repubican candidate. Fuck Me!
bah, statistically speaking it's already a reality. half of the population has above half-assed idea about politics and another half has below half-assed clue. so on average polutation has a half-assed idea, ain't statistics grand?!
While the idea of testing potential voters is appealing, I fear that in practice it would be unworkable. The creation of the test would become a political football. How do you determine the correct answer to a question about a given candidate's position on an issue if the candidate has flip-flopped, or has remained deliberately vague, as so many do?
Also, voter tunrout is already low. Any additional hurdles would make it lower still.
I support allowing every citizen to vote, except for convicted criminals because frankly they'd be coerced into voting one way or another anyway. While I don't support a mandatory test, I do support a mandatory information session, like at community centers, in which the local party reps highlight what they view as the major issues and their party's stance on those issues. It'd be just part of the campaign process, except voters would have to show up to listen before they can register.
Oh I forgot, clowns shouldn't be allowed to vote. Nobody trusts a clown. Your point is true, it's unfortunate that some people vote for a given candidate just because they're told to, or because they believed a campaign ad. Everyone needs to inform themselves, at least a little bit. I think the voting age should be 21, because 18 is too easy to influence through peer pressure and marketing. Every kid wants to belong to something important, and everyone wants to fit in (except emo goths).
Yeah, it would definitely be better if more folks knew what the heck they were voting for when they vote for a particular candidate. I mean, there are consequences for voting foolishly, voting for the guy who simply sounds best, has the finest rhetoric, but maybe he doesn't... and maybe this or that voter also doesn't have... the slightest idea what he/she is talking about. So you're kind of joking here, but it's no joke... a voter who casts a ballot should know what they're casting it for.
Well people still arent' going to vote the way you think they should vote but at least we feel confident that most people have looked into the matter instead of just having somebody from a voter reg group say "get out and vote and vote for so and so because he's the one"
This is a dangerous idea man. If everyone understood what they were voting for it would be very difficult to get a mass number of people to vote against their own interest. People who know what they want don't make good slaves. The last thing we need is a bunch of people running around thinking about sh#@
7. Does it make any sense for progressives to vote for anyone other than Obama when Obama is AHEAD BY ONLY ONE PERCENTAGE POINT in early voting exit polls?
couldn't agree with you more! I know on local and state issues.. if I haven't studied up I feel I have no right to put my two cents in. I sure appreciate your imput! :):):)
Interesting question. The question i hear the most around here (Canada) is "Should anyone be allowed not to vote?" (ie. We should force people to vote.)
Cool, force them to vote but force them to have at least some half assed knowledge of what they are voting for so their choice is based not just a sound bite from CNN or FOX NEWS. To just force people to vote you might as well go to Zimbabwe and talk with Mugabe. He'll give you some good pointers on how to do that.
I'm glad you did this video. I've ALWAYS felt there should be a test one has to pass to vote. The idea is grand, but the implementation would be the biggest hurdle. There would be controversy over what race of people are passing at a higher rate and why, then you'd anger so many "single issue" voters who think it's their right to vote for a candidate because they're against abortion or for taxing the rich. It sounds really good on paper, but there would be an uproar if this was ever attempted.
You're right there would be an uproar but if were in place it would force people to pay more attention and since you can take the test as many times as you want you really shouldn't fail.
There actually used to be a "literacy test" given to all races, and as you concluded here an uproar did ensue at that time. Reason being a lot of black people were being discriminated against. Even if they passed they were marked as a fail...or the testing was made more difficult then the test their counterparts had taken.
Xelander, I understand the concept that we as a people should know at least 50% of the issue, agree 100%...but I can also see the reason for the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
Very clever...the tough part too is that they can say whatever they want before the election. We can only hope that they actually are able to carry out what they promise. Nice to see your vlog, Alex!
Well, of course, I'm going for the funny tag line here but on a serious note I think it doesn't matter that they change up on what they say, just that people are motivated to listen more. No one can keep all the promises they make before an election. It's almost like we should just allow a candidate to take two issues. Just give us two things that you will do different. That's about all you can handle.
and also to have enough time to complete this test? Even if people knew every single fact about the campaign, that doesn't really stop them from being stupid or at least more stupid than other people.
Let's face it any kind of democracy is flawed but it's the best we've gotten so far so until we find a better alternative or until we can say without a doubt who is better suited to make decisions, change has to come at an individual level.I think you did a good job at pointing out the problem,
Ok, dude, I'm loving ya, man, but you gotta watch more Xelander videos and get the basic gist of what I do. You are taking this shit far too serious. You get a deduction of 2 "Xelander Satiric Sarcasm" points for taking this so seriously. ;) lol
It's always hard to tell how seriously you should do a satiric bit. If you wink too much it gives it away and if you don't at all people take it too seriously. Yet there should always be a serious point to the satire. In the end it would fail as satire if it didn't hit a serious chord. So thanks.
Wouldn't the test then need to be updated constantly throught the campaign? I mean things change and candidates change opinions or make really stupid choices through the campaign. Wouldn't the test that is taken say one week before election day be better than that one taken 2 months before that same day?
How can you make a standarized test about a subject constantly changing? Should the campaign be interrupted a certain time BEFORE election day, so people have time to think about their decision
No, not really because all we're looking for is for people to have at least a half-assed knowledge as opposed to being the complete clueless idiots that pull the levers now. And you couldn't standardize it because the questions would and should change all the time. That would also stop cheating. All we want to know is that the person voting has had to at some point take the time to pay attention. At any fucking point. And aren't voting just from a commercial.
That really is one hell of a suggestion man , really, it makes ALOT of sense and i could see it being implemented in the near future if enough people see this video.
If it's going to be 50% it should be a certain 50%, otherwise people who know everything about one candidate will pass, but they may not know that they may prefer the other candidate. Good idea though
FredDeluca 2 years ago
sound like some Jim Crow Law type propaganda to me. This is how they kept NIGGAZ from voting in the last century... I have to disrespectfully disagree .... In America you are free to make an illadvised decision if you like to, if you want to be ignorant to the issues, you can... if the people who did not know the issues found out they had to take a test ,,, no one would vote, EVER!!
donaldlooney 2 years ago
Fair point.
Xelanderthomas 2 years ago
The best part about democracy is that everyone has a say, the worst part about democracy is that everyone can vote.
MasterNemesis102 2 years ago
In Germany we at least have since some years a decision helper website (official) where you can answer a questionnaire and then get the result how much your ideas correlate with all the parties respectively. But then, we also had a tv show where voters were interviewed and their stupidity was ... well, maybe "devastating" is the right word here.
itekisan 3 years ago
I dont really know why this video is - like as said in the title - a satiric one..
REALLY :D
JanCarlo88 3 years ago
Are you suggesting that it might be a valid idea? hee hee hee
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
honestly, what - in your opinion - is an argument against it ? there would be so many positive aspects !
JanCarlo88 3 years ago
I don't argue against it. In fact I think the way I lay it out would be fair to all. I should run for president. Of course I should do it before they have voter test so I can pull the wool over they eyes of all the clueles voters who don't know that I'm not offering jack shit but my own self serving agenda, then once in I would enact the law that would help stop people like me from getting in. ;)
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
maybe my english is too bad to get the joke.. I think you are meaning - in your last comment - stopping people from voting would be like an dictator-move.. or didnt i get it ?
but an election with people voting for (or against) somethin that they dont even know is clueless, isnt it ?
hm
JanCarlo88 3 years ago
Yeah, something like that lol
There must be some way of forcing people to become educated about how they vote instead voting clueless, but you don't want to deny the right to vote.
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
great video.
but the amount of people voting would plumit if they had to go through all of that.
which hey, might not be bad.
gabba1gabba1hey 3 years ago
XXXX and XXXXX,5o%?????
You chill babe.your man will sort you soon!!
romyk98 3 years ago
ROFL
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
Glad you got it!Your a rare one!xx
romyk98 3 years ago
I just watched the video.. fuckin great idea. .
erikmandke 3 years ago
Glad you got it! xxx
romyk98 3 years ago
Less is more honey!do you know that saying!
Loving YOU Xelander no matter what!
romyk98 3 years ago
50%, 50%...dat ain't much, dang, how much "less" you gotta be? 50% that's all I'm asking, baby, 50% ...half-assed is acceptable, dat's all I'm sayin...
Love you no matter what too ;)
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
Da ich weiß, dass du auch nebenbei DEutsch lernst, sag ich es auf deutsch ;)
Ich finde, du hast recht.
Dieser Test sollte Pflicht sein.
Ich interessiere mich nicht viel für Politik.
Ich denke auch, dass ich durch fehlendes Wissen nicht berechtigt wäre, zu wählen.
I hope you can understand what i mean.
Great Video. Great idea! ;)
TehByder 3 years ago
Ich glaube, dass ich dich gut verstanden habe. Es ist deine Wahl ob du waehlst oder nicht.
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
Sehr schön - und witzig - ausgedrückt !
JanCarlo88 3 years ago
People are voting blindly today, sadly. Because they want that free* cup of coffee at starbucks. Well, hopefully who ever elected, will do something right in the four or seven years of running. Who knows, maybe one of them could firgure out that they have to change the congress to change america.. Hmm
TheMPDFamily 3 years ago
good topic, though we both know that people are so lazy to even go and vote. 50% pass, well youd be lucky if 50% of the population would actually go and vote. And as you say a high number of that doesnt have a good knowledge of what they are voting for, but who they are voting for.
altintola 3 years ago
You might want to tackle a topic of what the media can actually do to introduce each party and what they stand for instead of stressing gossip of what each leaders life. Because as we all know media is the most influential and very often is used to simply corrupt peoples way of thinking via psychology.
altintola 3 years ago
I think voting on one issue is all that is needed. Just don't fill out the whole ballot if you only want to vote for president then go ahead.
zeroiscool 3 years ago
Do you watch the TV show, Boston Legal? They recently had an episode with a 17 year old girl who wanted to vote. Her reason? She knew more than ANYONE I know, about the candidates, the process, and government in general. It was a real eye-opener.
And FTR, I my views are very different that what most people would expect.
biblegirl7 3 years ago
That sounds like an interesting episode.
...and FYI I don't assume anyone's views ;)
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
Unfortunately, with my user name, most people make a lot of assumptions about me. And ironically, most of them are way off base. I just refuse to discuss certain topics =)
biblegirl7 3 years ago
That is great..hahah i love it!!
jazzblowin 3 years ago
Great topic!
UneekDiva 3 years ago
This might require people to actually read, and you'll have a hard time convincing someone to read when their entire philosophy on life is "Books are stupid....I have street smarts."
JMB129 3 years ago
Yeah, but then they would if they want to vote because they would have to. And if they were to lazy or obstintate to read or get someone to read it to them, they couldn't vote. As it is now that lazy or apathetic bozo who doesen't give a shit will go out and vote because some community register or friend is giving them a hard time so they do it just to do it without honing up on what's what.
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
what knowledge? :) jk m8 i think its a really good idea
jazziuk18 3 years ago
We will vote on Nov 4th because we believe that Obama should be our next President. He is better qualified.
marleyinoc 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
And that's why you should ;)
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
Say what you want about Plato but he makes a good point!
mjohnst 3 years ago
Who's Plato?
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
Looks like your on the "Can't vote" list! This time you got my email? I almost hate to mention it but I worry it didn't go through...
mjohnst 3 years ago
I guess I am cause you've lost me, buddy lol
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
come on, the right to vote was spread from white men to all citizens a long time ago but supposedly finally guaranteed by federal law in the 60's sometime. Yes, I could quote the dates.
Nothing short of national voter registration by right of being a citizen will be the moral and correct way to handle voting. We have the technology we just need the will.
Lets combine controlling votes with control of our borders. Fix our system to at least the level of faking the dollar... lol. counterfeit. :(
marleyinoc 3 years ago
Another tangent that has nothing to do my video. I didn't say non-citizens should be able to vote. And the reason people vote without knowing jackshit is not because they are illegals. And when you "spread" the vote and then tar & feather, and lynch certain people for doing it, why, that's not really spreading it all, is it? It was a while before everyone had the vote and 60s is late, my friend the "moral" thing was slow in coming. But non of that has anything to do the point of this video ;)
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
i thought your point was who should be able to vote, and i MEANT to say there should be only one test - united states citizenship. Of course it is state by state, county by county, district by district that decides the vote, and I think that Voters Rights of 65 didnt change a damned thing.
Maybe I missed the point of your video, but not in any of the ways you suggested.
marleyinoc 3 years ago
I missed your point - I won't long wind it again.
marleyinoc 3 years ago
Ok, if you say. :)
I still don't see where non-citizens are voting and how being a citizen automatically gives you knowldge about who the candidates are what issues are being debated (which is what I wish people were more aware of when they pull the lever - and think a test would help them to be aware of) but whatever...
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
I don't think non citizens are voting, i just think the only test should be citizenship, instead of hoops that people have to jump through to vote... And yeah, people should be more aware, but I just think there are already too many politically motivated tests to advocate your unbiased common sense test. However, your proposed test would surely help my favored candidate in this election - because I think someone would have to be an idiot to vote for McCain. Hence, they fail.
marleyinoc 3 years ago
Well it is just citizenship isn't? I mean, there aren't any test, biased or unbiased that you have to take in order to vote. You just have to be a citizen. So you have your preferred criteria already. So no problem from your view, really.
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
I like your idea very much, hopefully somebody will pick it up...
MGSGeneral 3 years ago
Counter-question: Who wants to except a few idealists? Powers tend to think of balance. Unbalanced balance ;-) = Stability.
Thanks for your videos, still enjoying them ;-)
Let's do a German video about Obama and McCain, many Germans are now interested in the results.
AndiKewl 3 years ago
Yes, I know. My wife is German and I'm around many Germans and they are more astute and interested than most Americans. Which is shameful, really.
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
Some interesting ideas how to deal with this "dumbness and ignorant but I vote"-issue.
Even more important seems the issue how to get people THINK. I am not talking of leftist of right-wing attitudes (evaluation). But most people lack some proper knowledge of what a political program might mean or imply.
Basically, and I am thinking of Europe as well, the states should put more focus on real education, on educated citizens. That is more important than a test I think.
Take care
AndiKewl 3 years ago
Yeah, sure, I have no arguement with that at all. Who's willing to do it?
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Here we go it's getting close
Now it's just who wants it most
It's just life that's how it is
Cause we have our strength and weaknesses
Oh I have vision' oh can't you see
I'm on the move make way for me
So stand up 4 the champions. 4 the champions stand up. Stand up stand up 4 the champions for the champions. Stand up 4 the champions. 4 the champions stand up
Stand up. And when I fall down
I have to pick myself back up. So stand up stand up for the champions...you know you want 2. YES YOU CAN
HomoGeneyes 3 years ago
The test must include this statement under True or False:
According to one of the most influential founding fathers President Thomas Jefferson, and the United States Supreme Court, the First Amendment in the United States Constitution dictates that Church and State must be kept separate.
OneoftheImmortals 3 years ago
Fantastic video! I'm thinking 50% might be a little hopeful...
MrHollick 3 years ago
yeah... I am in agreement with you on this.
gerry2345 3 years ago
...lol the test is a Great ideal,
however unfortunate the less we know..
excites most politically correct's
(~_^) things that make go hmmmmm (~_^) twice
tacsavory 3 years ago
correction:
(~_^) things that make *Ya go hmmmmmm
tacsavory 3 years ago
Oh rats - tests. Then almost no one will vote and... there will always be cheaters. LOL
longhairred 3 years ago
lol most definitely agree with you there
stuckinouterspace 3 years ago
"Social Stratta"? Does that have eggs in it? :D
Fair enough, you have to pass a driver's test to get behind the wheel and rive and voting with out knowledge is getting behind the most dangerous wheel there is.
JeriLynnKarr 3 years ago
I worked as a volunteer at the election and I was horrified about what I experienced.
Total mentally retarded, or alcoholist people voted and people often asked: "Who is the current mayor, prime minister? Then I vote for him."
I agree with Xelander's idea.
larvinc 3 years ago
hehe, great video my man.
I think the problem is not with an individuals lack of any knowledge, but a lack of unbiased knowledge, does that make sense? They don't judge things by a society's morals, and a societys greater functions. Half the time the knowledge voters are armed with is biased and centralised around them as individuals.
TheOxygenBandit84 3 years ago
good idea but it will never work because that,s a dream
cheakdirk 3 years ago
great idea :-)
besonders weil 30%der merukaner immer noch nicht wissen, dass Obama kein moslem ist ;-)
Horst725 3 years ago
My Aunt Tilly 'zipped herself up in her aura' 30 years ago - she probably shouldn't be allowed to vote let alone take a test! LOL
hey - half-assed knowledge is a little too optimistic, isn't it?
LeSaMilano 3 years ago
Great video! But I'm going to have to disagree with you on this one. It is our Right, not a privilege to vote. Plus, tests can easily be used to exclude a group of people simply by the choice of questions and how they are written.
SeeSwann 3 years ago
Ok, you guys are forcing me to take my satire more seriously than intended but that's cool I guess cause it's a sensitive issue, so I will: I don't know where you get that I said it's a "privilege and not a right" Free speech is a right, but we mostly all agree that there are limits and stipulations on free speech. And I stated quite clearly that you would have to be careful because test can be a slippery slope that excludes people. Listen again if you didn't hear that. Also...
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
Also, I have to say, I don't agree that test can "easily" be biased. In fact I think I would take great effort to make a test of this sort "biased" - Sarah Palin is against abortion. True or False? What's biased about that. And if you don't know then you must go and find out. Just like when you don't pass your drivers test, you go and re-read the booklet, or you practice your parking. This way all those people who don't have a clue would at least have a half-assed idea of who they vote for. ;)
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
Thanks for the stimulating intelligent conversation. You are proof that YT can be used for good. Keep up the good work and we'll keep watching!
SeeSwann 3 years ago
Thanks my friend. peace Happy Halloween :)
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
I like your proposal. Only thing is the system is corrupt. The system needs repairing, it's in very bad shape. I don't plan on Obama to do much of anything, like advancing America in four years? As much as I like to dream, it's the same slow song and slow dance, like the waltz or something. Oh well, good video.
AtomsAlpha1 3 years ago
We apparently are living in a moronocracy---so the test will really need to be dumbed down.
MustafaPresents 3 years ago
I'd cheat that test.
depletable 3 years ago
Hahaha, half-assed voter knowledge test... Oi.
Physhi 3 years ago
I love your eclectic collection of cups, it looks like my collection. It's being reported that 6 percent of the early voters in Florida don't know who they voted for. America is dumbing down the education system by design. The problem is I and my family still want to live here. Palin the 2012 Repubican candidate. Fuck Me!
downhill240 3 years ago
I think it's a good idea, if I didn't know any better I might vote for obama luckily I know better :)
coolbluelights 3 years ago
I'm a the glass is half full sort, so I agree with your excellent commentary.
neuronsactivated 3 years ago
that means if you pass with 100% you have the knowledge to know if you are voting for an Ass or Nota.
NotaTrollTravlin 3 years ago
bah, statistically speaking it's already a reality. half of the population has above half-assed idea about politics and another half has below half-assed clue. so on average polutation has a half-assed idea, ain't statistics grand?!
jogayot 3 years ago
but pullution is on the rise... hah.
jogayot 3 years ago
While the idea of testing potential voters is appealing, I fear that in practice it would be unworkable. The creation of the test would become a political football. How do you determine the correct answer to a question about a given candidate's position on an issue if the candidate has flip-flopped, or has remained deliberately vague, as so many do?
Also, voter tunrout is already low. Any additional hurdles would make it lower still.
IslandHermit 3 years ago
Yeah, it proably won't work. Oh, well another genius Xelander idea down the drain.
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
I barely passed the name and address part.
sarcasmosis 3 years ago
I support allowing every citizen to vote, except for convicted criminals because frankly they'd be coerced into voting one way or another anyway. While I don't support a mandatory test, I do support a mandatory information session, like at community centers, in which the local party reps highlight what they view as the major issues and their party's stance on those issues. It'd be just part of the campaign process, except voters would have to show up to listen before they can register.
CanadianNinjaMonkey 3 years ago
Well, yeah, maybe some thing like that. I'm just trying to answer (in a satiric way of course) the criticism that people vote mindlessly.
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
Oh I forgot, clowns shouldn't be allowed to vote. Nobody trusts a clown. Your point is true, it's unfortunate that some people vote for a given candidate just because they're told to, or because they believed a campaign ad. Everyone needs to inform themselves, at least a little bit. I think the voting age should be 21, because 18 is too easy to influence through peer pressure and marketing. Every kid wants to belong to something important, and everyone wants to fit in (except emo goths).
CanadianNinjaMonkey 3 years ago
Yeah, it would definitely be better if more folks knew what the heck they were voting for when they vote for a particular candidate. I mean, there are consequences for voting foolishly, voting for the guy who simply sounds best, has the finest rhetoric, but maybe he doesn't... and maybe this or that voter also doesn't have... the slightest idea what he/she is talking about. So you're kind of joking here, but it's no joke... a voter who casts a ballot should know what they're casting it for.
theloathlydaddy 3 years ago
Well people still arent' going to vote the way you think they should vote but at least we feel confident that most people have looked into the matter instead of just having somebody from a voter reg group say "get out and vote and vote for so and so because he's the one"
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
This is a dangerous idea man. If everyone understood what they were voting for it would be very difficult to get a mass number of people to vote against their own interest. People who know what they want don't make good slaves. The last thing we need is a bunch of people running around thinking about sh#@
NLPNVC 3 years ago
that's a point ;)
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
Do what I do every election: vote for batman by write-in. Just in case.
melman 3 years ago
Vote for the man who -doesn't- need years of anger management counseling.
Obama/Biden '08
ReliableInsider 3 years ago
Lol
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
and finally . . .
7. Does it make any sense for progressives to vote for anyone other than Obama when Obama is AHEAD BY ONLY ONE PERCENTAGE POINT in early voting exit polls?
ReliableInsider 3 years ago 2
Okay, I've written it. It's super-short!
1. Did Saddam Hussein blow up the World Trade Center?
2. Did Bush find WMDs in Iraq?
3. Is Barack Obama, who spent 20 years in Pastor Wright's church, a Muslim?
4. Are Barack or Michelle or their daughters Sasha and Malia terrorists?
5. Was McCain faithful to his wife?
6. Did McCain oppose the Bush tax plan before he voted for it?
ReliableInsider 3 years ago 2
couldn't agree with you more! I know on local and state issues.. if I haven't studied up I feel I have no right to put my two cents in. I sure appreciate your imput! :):):)
angelroompatti 3 years ago
The funny part(satire), you're right and I agree. Voting is a privilege and should be taken seriously, right X...you're rolling man.
zoobfoot 3 years ago
"Should everyone be allowed to vote?"
Interesting question. The question i hear the most around here (Canada) is "Should anyone be allowed not to vote?" (ie. We should force people to vote.)
lrroberb 3 years ago
Cool, force them to vote but force them to have at least some half assed knowledge of what they are voting for so their choice is based not just a sound bite from CNN or FOX NEWS. To just force people to vote you might as well go to Zimbabwe and talk with Mugabe. He'll give you some good pointers on how to do that.
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
I'm glad you did this video. I've ALWAYS felt there should be a test one has to pass to vote. The idea is grand, but the implementation would be the biggest hurdle. There would be controversy over what race of people are passing at a higher rate and why, then you'd anger so many "single issue" voters who think it's their right to vote for a candidate because they're against abortion or for taxing the rich. It sounds really good on paper, but there would be an uproar if this was ever attempted.
stolenturtle 3 years ago
You're right there would be an uproar but if were in place it would force people to pay more attention and since you can take the test as many times as you want you really shouldn't fail.
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
There actually used to be a "literacy test" given to all races, and as you concluded here an uproar did ensue at that time. Reason being a lot of black people were being discriminated against. Even if they passed they were marked as a fail...or the testing was made more difficult then the test their counterparts had taken.
Xelander, I understand the concept that we as a people should know at least 50% of the issue, agree 100%...but I can also see the reason for the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
mtamorphis 3 years ago
Very clever...the tough part too is that they can say whatever they want before the election. We can only hope that they actually are able to carry out what they promise. Nice to see your vlog, Alex!
Ravensinger 3 years ago
Well, of course, I'm going for the funny tag line here but on a serious note I think it doesn't matter that they change up on what they say, just that people are motivated to listen more. No one can keep all the promises they make before an election. It's almost like we should just allow a candidate to take two issues. Just give us two things that you will do different. That's about all you can handle.
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
but I think it's too early.We are not yet capable of solving this problem, altough the first step has to be to point it out.
alvarodelamo 3 years ago
I got total ADD watching this LOL
Half of what... who... where???
(see... people like me should NOT be allowed to vote)
PrincessDiana161 3 years ago
and also to have enough time to complete this test? Even if people knew every single fact about the campaign, that doesn't really stop them from being stupid or at least more stupid than other people.
Let's face it any kind of democracy is flawed but it's the best we've gotten so far so until we find a better alternative or until we can say without a doubt who is better suited to make decisions, change has to come at an individual level.I think you did a good job at pointing out the problem,
alvarodelamo 3 years ago
Ok, dude, I'm loving ya, man, but you gotta watch more Xelander videos and get the basic gist of what I do. You are taking this shit far too serious. You get a deduction of 2 "Xelander Satiric Sarcasm" points for taking this so seriously. ;) lol
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
I was aware of the possibility of this being satire.But the fact that you are trying to be funny doesn't mean you don't have a point.
alvarodelamo 3 years ago
It's always hard to tell how seriously you should do a satiric bit. If you wink too much it gives it away and if you don't at all people take it too seriously. Yet there should always be a serious point to the satire. In the end it would fail as satire if it didn't hit a serious chord. So thanks.
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
This video was sooooooooo fuckinnnnnnnng slooooooooooooooow, but the punchline was great. You have a great sense of humor.
JudeoChristian 3 years ago
Yeah, I know, slow for a Xelander video :0
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
Wouldn't the test then need to be updated constantly throught the campaign? I mean things change and candidates change opinions or make really stupid choices through the campaign. Wouldn't the test that is taken say one week before election day be better than that one taken 2 months before that same day?
How can you make a standarized test about a subject constantly changing? Should the campaign be interrupted a certain time BEFORE election day, so people have time to think about their decision
alvarodelamo 3 years ago
No, not really because all we're looking for is for people to have at least a half-assed knowledge as opposed to being the complete clueless idiots that pull the levers now. And you couldn't standardize it because the questions would and should change all the time. That would also stop cheating. All we want to know is that the person voting has had to at some point take the time to pay attention. At any fucking point. And aren't voting just from a commercial.
Xelanderthomas 3 years ago
That really is one hell of a suggestion man , really, it makes ALOT of sense and i could see it being implemented in the near future if enough people see this video.
Regards,
Zenith Strife
Zenithstrife 3 years ago