[kcvl]

Gingrich’s comments are latest in voter suppression trend

One of the ways the African-American vote was suppressed under Jim Crow was through a “poll test,” which required prospective voters to answer a series of questions before they cast their ballot. This tactic was deemed illegal by the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and later by the 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, but a certain Presidential candidate wants to bring poll tests back.

At a town hall meeting in Marshalltown, Iowa, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich told attendees:

GINGRICH: [Immigrants] need to pass a test of American history. And candidly, it wouldn’t be bad to have a test like that for young Americans before they start voting.

http://www.workingamerica.org/blog/2011/05/23/gingrich%E2%80%99s-comments-are-latest-in-voter-suppression-trend/

[lonestar]

In the past there was a poll tax. I don't know if people had to pay, or if property owners gotone to vote.

Non-property owners being allowed to vote was pushed because renters paid the owners who paid taxes...which is true.

I really chaps me when people who live in gov't housing get to vote on issues that will raise revenue from private property owners. What's to prevent them from voting in bond elections for things that cost other people money...it costs them nothing!

[Christian Engineer Mass]

So you're saying it's not Politically Correct to be for a civics test?

OK. I actually like things that are not Politically Correct.

I'm more interested in what's Actually Correct.

A DEMOCRACY wants everyone to vote regardless of their interest/motivation or prejudices. Democracies become populisms, which become tyrannies.

A REPUBLIC wants informed and engaged people to vote.

A civics test for new voters is entirely consistent with a REPUBLIC.

[Spunky]

"GINGRICH: [Immigrants] need to pass a test of American history. And candidly, it wouldn’t be bad to have a test like that for young Americans before they start voting."

Newt is an intellegent man.