My interest in historic voting rights limited to property holders is of course based on today’s potential tipping point: Voters paying no taxes as a majority capable of extracting from a minority whatever they please.
Women’s sufferage - no problem - the only thing I agree with Obummer is that everyone should have “some skin in the game”.
With some 53% of “taxpayers” thinking they pay nothing there is no cost in their minds to tax increases, increased spending, bigger government, etc.
With our new majorities in many states and the possibility of taking Congress and the presidency I’m interested in anything to ensure that any voter has some skin in the game.
Poll taxes are out - right now - truth be told - Mr. Cain’s 9-9-9 plan might wake everybody up to the waste and growth of the federal government.
Everybody might begin to question the excesses of fed studies on jogging shrimp to limiting our internal energy production when its coming out of their own pockets.
The way I view it after President Cain’s administration (or even during it) we might go for 8-8-8, 7-7-7, 6-6-6 (oops - skip that one!) or 5-5-5. Just a thought ... ;-)
Most FReepers share that interest. Many would agree a President Cain, with the support of both chambers of Congress, may be able to greatly increase the number of voters that have a financial interest in the antics of our politicians.
However, real property ownership has never been a qualifier in all of the states, before or after admission, and a poll tax would require an amendment (see 24th A.)
The only way to achieve the “skin” goal is to require those not now paying federal income tax to pay a corresponding national tax. Sound difficult? It will be difficult and the clamor has already commenced: “Cain’s plan will particularly hurt the poooor”.