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46
48
Only educated ppl should vote Everyone should vote
Debate Score:94
Arguments:63
Total Votes:112
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 Only educated ppl should vote (29)
 
 Everyone should vote (31)

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chaypeishan(9) pic



'Only educated people should have the right to vote in elections.' What is your view?

Only educated ppl should vote

Side Score: 46
VS.

Everyone should vote

Side Score: 48
3 points

By educated people I mean people who are educated about what they are voting on.

It should not be legally enforced but ethically and logically enforced.

If I feel my information or comprehension of a particular issue at a vote is insufficient, I do not vote on that issue.

Side: Only educated ppl should vote

i agree with what you said.

By educated people I mean people who are educated about what they are voting on.

It should not be legally enforced but ethically and logically enforced.

If I feel my information or comprehension of a particular issue at a vote is insufficient, I do not vote on that issue.

not saying everyone shouldnt vote, but at least make sure that the voters know what theyre talkin about instead of just voting for someone because theyre black!! co'mon people! but really, dont just let anyone vote

Side: Only educated ppl should vote
3 points

... or just vote for the other guy because Fox News tells you that people just voted for that person because they're black ._.

But sure.

Side: Only educated ppl should vote
raptor22(106) Disputed
2 points

This argument is not only fundamentally un-constitutional, but an attempt to alleviate the power and voice of the lower and middle class. Based on the only reason for exemption of voting, it is pretty clear your argument lacks merit in addition to being an example to that very same statement. Regressing basic American rights should not be a goal of this country.

Side: Everyone should vote
LaDocteur(7) Disputed
1 point

Yeah. You know what we just shouldn't let black people vote. That sounds Constitutional.

Side: Everyone should vote
3 points

Everyone should vote.

Everyone should be educated.

Everyone who votes should be educated on the matters upon which they are voting.

This is just how I believe it "should" be. Not that regulations should be in place to ensure it, but that people should just have the intellectual honesty and integrity to educate themselves on any matters their votes will effect.

Side: Only educated ppl should vote
2 points

Actually, I prefer if only I had the right to vote in elections.... but that might make me a dictator?

Side: Only educated ppl should vote
2 points

I like the way you think!! Maybe I could be Vice-Dictator and we could rule the world together, LOL

Side: Only educated ppl should vote
LaDocteur(7) Disputed
0 points

No it would not make you a dictator. It would mean you want to be subjected to the rule of a dictator who oppresses you and denies you rights. Come on. Think through what you're saying.

Side: Everyone should vote
2 points

i definitely agree that educated people should only vote , then there would be more democratic presidents in the future

Side: Only educated ppl should vote
youngidealis(50) Disputed
1 point

Actually, a better third party would form and lead by skepticism and efficiency. The democrat party is outdated in it's idea of progressive stances. I'm thinking a Humanist Party might do the trick.

Side: Everyone should vote
HelloAmerica(3) Disputed
1 point

Yeah more democrats, because y'all have no problem with wasting people's money to get what you "need" ("education").

Side: Everyone should vote
1 point

Where's the "Nobody should vote. Democracy is bullshit" option? Well, I guess that's how new debates are come up with.

Educated people - depending on just how educated you're talking - can be out of touch with reality. They shouldn't be held as the deciders of right and wrong, they're just people.

Everybody should decide what is right and wrong for themselves. Vote AnarchY!

Side: Only educated ppl should vote

As Rothbard indicated, since Democracy is so arbitrarily middle ground, there is two directions that the majority will vote, which one is towards less government and more free markets and two is towards more government and less free markets.

Ask yourself, what is America trending towards?

Basically, Democracy generally never votes for more free markets, it votes for more government, and eventually, it becomes socialist.

Side: Only educated ppl should vote
casper3912(1581) Disputed
2 points

In most developed countries it is ideal that the people vote for less government and less "free markets". However, in many "democracies" the voice of the people means pretty much nil in that they only get to pick a certain predefined set of options, most if not all of which support big business. Business is the biggest advocate for government, well they may not like taxes they do a fine job of passing those on to the smaller guys, well enjoying patents, corporate subsides, tax loopholes, navy protection of cargo and so on, well helping to make sure the smaller guys not only pay externalized costs but a higher tax rate as well. With such blatant class war against the poor and middle classes, it is only natural that the people use the vehicle of class war to defend themselves, and yes this does lead eventually to either a foot assault or a win, and capital and labor starts to contradict less.

government is civil war, and if you don't want it, then the antagonism between capital and labor will have to first be solved.

Side: Everyone should vote
1 point

"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship."

Side: Only educated ppl should vote

The uneducated will use their voting power to vote themselves some benefits... paid for by the educated workers. ;)

Side: Only educated ppl should vote
HelloAmerica(3) Disputed
1 point

So I assume that you believe that only educated people work and pay taxes? Might want to check your facts.

Side: Everyone should vote

Jesus Christ!!! This debate is 4 years old!!! Why bring up old news? ;)

Side: Everyone should vote
1 point

Voting is a piss poor method of running a country, but if you must do it, at least limit it to the intelligent. Before voting you should be required to do two things; score a minimum of 115 on an IQ test and fill out a short test with questions on the various candidates and their positions of which a 90% score must be achieved.

Clearly, letting smart people who know what they're talking about make the important decisions is a superior method then letting everyone fly this plane. Who would you rather have the say in who your family doctor is: everyone, or a comity of medical experts? If you wouldn't want everyone making the call on your doctor, why on earth would you want that for deciding who will run the country?

Side: Only educated ppl should vote
1 point

^ Looks like I pissed off somebody with an IQ <115 ;)

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Side: Only educated ppl should vote
1 point

^ and this confirms it.

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Side: Only educated ppl should vote

I know this isn't Geeks vs Nerds, but you deserve a point for trash talk in my book.

Side: Only educated ppl should vote
1 point

If you do not know anything about elections, then how can you vote fairly? It will end up going down to something like 'best hair' if someone knows nothing about the candidates.

Side: Only educated ppl should vote
1 point

I think this video gives validity to why only educated people should be able to cast their vote... A picture (or in this case, a video) is worth a 1,000 words:)

Obama The Saviour
Side: Only educated ppl should vote
1 point

Yawn

If all the dumb liberals were no long allowed to vote, and all the dumb conservatives were no longer allowed to vote, the only red state would be Texas... maybe.

Average Republican
Side: Only educated ppl should vote
RavenLily(733) Disputed
1 point

Yawning as I lapse into a coma from liberal idiocy

If all the Mississippi conservatives you refer to in your video were as dumb as your average brain deficient liberal politicians then they would all live in Georgia, like this pity poor excuse for a Congressman: Democrat Hank Johnson. I would wager even the most ignorant of the people you mention in Mississippi know that the island of Guam cannot tip over if too many people populate one side or the other, bwahahaha!! What a joke!!

Average Liberal Democrat
Side: Everyone should vote

I would argue that all people should have the right to vote, but they should be given a clear option to abstain and they should read and take a quiz on some objective facts regarding each issue. If they can't show a clear knowledge of the facts at let's say, a 70% success, then their vote for the issues they failed on the quiz shouldn't count. If you don't research an issue, you shouldn't vote. FYI, you can abstain on any ballot by leaving any issue blank that you aren't knowledgeable about.

Side: Only educated ppl should vote
1 point

I thought there is no right for illitrates bcoz they do thier work without thinking abt their lives they gave vote to the wrong ministers they dont give their precious vote to a good and workfull and educated people who thought and do works for their development,betterment of their livehood.i thought educated pple do and thought abt their welfare .

So i puneet thought illiterate pple have to think abt their welfare and country's development b4 voting.

Side: Only educated ppl should vote

By educated I don't necessarily mean "school educated" I know some people who did not finish school but are very smart people when it comes to finances, politics and other things that are needed.

Too many people vote and do not even understand what is and what is not in the constitution.

I saw a program on tv one time and they were asking people what they thought about certain political views. But, they twisted them around. They said Bush did and said things that Obama had actually said and done and then they Said Obama had said or done what Bush had actually did.

The Obama voters were all for what they thought Obama was for even though it was actually Bush. And they were against what they thought Bush was for. They had no clue.

Then the conservative voters usually knew that what they were told was not what was right.

Shows the brightness of voters, and which party is informed.

Side: Only educated ppl should vote
0 points

Before one participates in the elections, it is very important for the person to be aware of the political climate in his country and be informed of the different approaches that each political figure adopts. In order to achieve this, as well as decide which of the strategies of the various political parties involved would help the country to progress the most, one must be suficiently educated.

People should be held responsible for their decisions and thus only be allowed to vote if they have the relevant knowledge required in this field. If citizens are allowed to vote in spite of their ignorance, they will not be able to make informed choices and may thus indirectly cause the downfall of the country in the long run.

-Angelina + Yi Lun

Side: Only educated ppl should vote
MaxLiawjl(2) Disputed
1 point

While it is most ideal that all voters are aware of the political climate in the country, the problem lies in the feasibility of implementing such a concept into the act of voting. There is no way of determining the level of `ignorance' or political apathy of every single person in the country.

Furthermore, what does it mean to be `sufficiently educated'? A university graduate can still be politically apathatic whereas an uneducated construction worker can still be aware of the political climate in his country via newspapers and other media. Being educated (having reached a certain schooling standard) does not guarantee the absence of political ignorance.

Side: Everyone should vote
5 points

-It goes against basic Human Rights. Everyone should be able to have a right to voice their opinions since the results of the elections will also directly affect them and their future.

Educted people only make up a part of the country's population. They cannot represent the social sentiments of the entire population.

E.g. the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Act by United Nations.

It is a legal document evidence proving the Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

-shared computer:Alison+Pei Shan

Side: Everyone should vote
LaDocteur(7) Disputed
1 point

But have you seen how many idiots are out there?

How the hell do you think Bush won his two terms? (besides corruption and voter suppression)? It can be attributed just as much to all the morons in the South and the upper class across the country who think their damn land and guns (or their huge fortunes) are more important than human rights.

And states rights? Please. Just accept that Jim Crow is dead. No, there is no hope of resegregating the south. Stop whining. You were defeated a hundred and fifty years ago. Deal with it and let better people make your governmental decisions for you.

So I would say, (to contradict the founding structure of the US- sorry but it's necessary) only people who are correct in their opinions should be able to vote. Also the UDHR was a utopian dream created in the middle of the Cold War when the world was trying desperate measures to battle the Soviets- it was never going to work and I'm surprised more people didn't predict that. In fact it was just as utopian and as impossible-to-make-work as communism itself.

Challenge me, if you dare.

Side: Only educated ppl should vote
5 points

There is plenty wrong with the notion that only educated people should vote. For starters, who decides what constitutes as educated? Is it those who have a certain degree or higher? I know plenty of people with advanced degrees that aren't too bright or informed and I know plenty without who are brilliant and well informed. Is it IQ test scores? We can't even agree on a solid definition of intelligence and a reliable way of measuring it so why would we rely on IQ test to determine who gets to participate in a democracy. IQ test can be useful for somethings and even make some consistent predictions but can not measure wisdom or ethics/morals.

The whole purpose of voting is to spread the decision making throughout the populace not limit it. People arguing in favor of limiting voting seem to question the character of those who are "uneducated" and make assumptions about what their stance will be on issues. As if those who are educated are always noble. Truth is, reality is much more complex and completely defies those assumptions. In the US, people who would most likely count as uneducated lean slightly to the right on the political spectrum. Meaning they vote for less taxes and government assistance rather then more. Political scientist have spent the past 20-30 years if not more trying to figure out why these demographic groups continue to vote in a way that would seem against their interest. So it's curious that people would argue that the uneducated would vote for excessive handouts and the like. On the flip side, those who are considered educated often times vote in ways that promote corruption and white collar crime. Limits placed on voting never result in a more wise and noble electorate. Those limits are always used as a tool to disenfranchise others. The classes who already have the power to determine who can vote will always set the rules to keep that power.

Voting is about more than making the right calculations. If it were that simple, we would be best served by imputing data into a computer and having it tell us who the best candidate is and what the best positions are. But we vote based on other factors. Factors that are of equal importance for which competency can not be measured. The best solution is to allow and encourage as many people to participate as possible.

Side: Everyone should vote
3 points

This places a heap of emphasis on 'INEQUALITY'. In fact, anyone who votes otherwise is merely indicating that they represent a discriminative view. Whose to say that one should be judged on the basis of their academic knowledge or their intelligence? That certainly, well in my opinion, doesn't suggest or illustrate one's capability or the real intelligence that lies behind those brains. Remember, it's not all about one's knowledge in relation to elections and political areas, it's about their right to participate because they too, are human and they too should contribute. Without their contribution were left with educated individuals putting in votes who most likely don't look beyond one's character, and rather instead focus on whether the individual up for election is knowledgeable and full of omnipotence. Why not actually look at their character? the person deep down? I know I'm off topic I'm half asleep due to lack of sleep, however I strongly believe that even those without education can contribute and make a positive difference.

Side: Everyone should vote

1. Don't get educated mixed up with informed or smart, most people who are "educated" know about the same amount as those who aren't as educated.

2. Its their right to vote.

3. You shouldn't need a college degree to vote, there are already to many things you need it for (which you really don't) as it is.

Side: Everyone should vote
2 points

That would be like putting an asterisk on Freedom. Freedom is about freedom. It's not about manipulating the results.

Also, you would have to go about defining "educated".

[Happy 3000 points! unless somebody downvotes me..]

Side: Everyone should vote
1 point

Everyone should be allowed to vote, but here are the cold hard facts.

People who come from an uneducated background are likely to:

1. vote for the candidate who promises the free route.

2. vote against those who are succeeding

3. vote for higher taxes

4. vote for more options relating to public assistance

Side: Everyone should vote
BenWalters(1513) Disputed
2 points

People who come from an uneducated background are likely to:

I don't necessarily agree with the message you're trying to send there.

First of all, especially through the recent changes in campaign financing, those with money are becoming more and more represented in US politics. Obviously, there must be some safeguards to prevent 'tyranny of the majority' against the minority, which is what you're hinting at, but you have gone far past that. The rich (look at the Koch brothers, and your extensive lobbying) have their interests looked after far more than the poor.

Secondly, you assume that everyone with no education (you mean in the lower class) wants to be rich through no effort of their own. Looking at countries like Norway, or Sweden, where there is a strong, and well designed welfare state, you can see that rewards don't have to come at the expense of others. Instead of just giving everyone money if they have no job (which America does not do, by the way), they give everyone the opportunity to chase rewards. This puts them into a better position to get a job, which they often do, reducing unemployment, whilst helping those in the worse off position in society. It is in America more than anywhere else that there is such a perception of 'class warfare'. Notice that the largest class distrust also goes with the major economy to have the lowest social mobility (ability of the poor to become rich) and the lowest social distrust.

I agree that people should not vote simply to help themselves, but that does not mean that government should not help them.

Side: Only educated ppl should vote
mshaaya123(29) Clarified
1 point

I strongly agree with this. However, we cannot presume that those promises will be fulfilled. I mean if you look at Julia Gillard from Australia, the one who made promises on numerous occasions in relation to the issue of carbon tax, whose to say we must assume they'll live up to their promises? Do not be manipulated.

Side: Only educated ppl should vote
youngidealis(50) Clarified
1 point

Actually, the majority of the poor are voting for none of those things mentioned. I'm poor but my reasons for wanting the top 2% to offer something for jobs and education comes more from a side of me that hated being held down in my own family as a kid. Idiots tend to be poor and they tend to be authoritarian and they also tend to be conservative. My parents are poor and hard working, and my parents are idiots.

Side: Only educated ppl should vote
1 point

i think vote is human right.ina democracy,each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote must have one value. at last right to vote mean every person have equal right to vote.

Side: Everyone should vote

I would agree that only the educated should vote... except that the lower class and much of the middle class has had the ability to educate on politics taken away from them. Therefore, if they don't vote, they are being controlled by the rich and powerful.

At least if they vote in ignorance, there is a chance they are inadvertently fighting against the machinations of this country's corporate oligarchy.

Side: Everyone should vote
1 point

Assuming a State is even justified at all, I question why it would be that one would justify anyone not being allowed to have the most basic form of voice in how they are governed. Indeed, I maintain that if an individual is to be governed, they have the automatic right to have a say in who governs them.

But, again: this is assuming that government is even justified to begin with.

Side: Everyone should vote

In my experience education often has very little to do with intelligence. Either way, it seems unfair to bar uneducated, stupid people from voting when so many political candidates are themselves morons.

Side: Everyone should vote
1 point

I think everyone should be able to vote being educated does not make you intelligent I have met a lot of educated people who at the end of the day were stupid and many uneducated people who are very bright and succesfully run their own businesses etc

Side: Everyone should vote
1 point

Initially I was in absolute agreement with this proposition but than I realized I want everybody to be "educated voters". First of all, intelligence is pretty fricken hard to measure and the idea that we can all come to the conclusion as one nation and define what constitutes a required education for a hypothetical "license to vote" gives me doubts.

Something tells me the creator of this precise proposition isn't exactly after the idiot voter as much as they're after the presumed conservative or liberal voter due to their (and I'm guessing) gross amount of hate for their political opponents.

I agree that every voter should be "educated". I just don't believe we should take away the right vote.

Side: Everyone should vote
1 point

I think everyone should have the right to vote and i can see what the other argument is saying....parties such as BMP normally try and advertise within working class areas knowing that the people from these parts may not have a fully grasped knowledge on the subject areas thus allowing them to get a voice.

I think that what should be done is more money invested into educating people in basic political knowledge so that they can make a more informed decision when they come to tick the box.

Side: Everyone should vote
1 point

Every citizen should vote... I just wish they actually exercised the right more often. We should fine everyone who doesn't vote and who can't prove they aren't voting blindly by answering a few simple questions about the issues and candidates.

Side: Everyone should vote

All voters are equal so the education of the voter is not the proper criteria to exclude voters.

Side: Everyone should vote
0 points

Everyone should vote because its everyones right as an American citizen.

Side: Everyone should vote
0 points

yes its true that everyone should vote b'coz its the right of everyone who r above 18 yrs age so plz change the view

Side: Everyone should vote
riahlize(1573) Clarified
0 points

Who are 18 and above. (In the U.S)

Side: Only educated ppl should vote