Just curious... Why do you feel that poll taxes are acceptable?
Interesting point-of-view. What would the purpose of a poll tax be other than disenfranchisement*? I don't necessarily disagree that voting is not a fundamental right, but neither do I feel that unnecessary roadblocks should be put up to discourage anybody from doing it.Because I don't adhere to the modern idea that voting is a fundamental right.
To be clear, I don't think that poll taxes are a good idea, but insofar as states have general authority over presidential elections, I don't see why they should be prohibited from imposing a poll tax, if they choose to do so.
Interesting point-of-view. What would the purpose of a poll tax be other than disenfranchisement*? I don't necessarily disagree that voting is not a fundamental right, but neither do I feel that unnecessary roadblocks should be put up to discourage anybody from doing it.
*-A term I do not use loosely, as I feel that it is way over-used and incorrectly used in today's society, but I think it applies here.
Side note: I disagree with those who feel that requiring (paid for) ID qualifies as a poll tax.
Again, I'm not defending a poll tax as such, only the right of states to impose such if they choose to.
As far as why (non illegitimate reasons) a state might wish to impose a poll tax, they could be simply trying to raise revenue, they could use the money to help pay for the election itself, they could be trying to prevent people who have no concern with politics from voting, they could be of the opinion that contributing to society by paying such a tax should be required to participate in the elections, they could simply use it as a way of avoiding the costs of enforcing general taxation, or they could have some other reason. As I said, I'm not defending the prudence of poll taxes, but only that states should be allowed to do so.
Something tells me that one would take care of itself.
Got'cha. In a similar vein, I have never been a fan of "get out the vote" campaigns. Either you already care enough to vote (and educate yourself, hopefully) or you don't. If you don't, please just stay home. You shouldn't be gumming up the process for everyone else.Perhaps I should have been more specific, I meant those who have no concern with being the least bit knowledgeable about politics. Think of people who don't know who the VP is, or how many senators their state has, but vote anyway.
Got'cha. In a similar vein, I have never been a fan of "get out the vote" campaigns. Either you already care enough to vote (and educate yourself, hopefully) or you don't. If you don't, please just stay home. You shouldn't be gumming up the process for everyone else.
Which Constitutional Amendments, if any, should be repealed?
This poll presumes the reader/participant is at least minimally educated and knows which Amendments are which.
- 1st
- 2nd
- 3rd
- 4th
- 5th
- 16th
- 17th
- 22nd
- Other (Please elaborate)
- None
You may vote for more than one, as some people feel that several should be repealed.
Ummm, I could be wrong (the law of averages says it will happen eventually) but it looks to me that you think that a poll tax has something to do with voting. Are you sure you know what a poll tax is? I know when I was younger I thought it was a tax on voting.Because I don't adhere to the modern idea that voting is a fundamental right.
To be clear, I don't think that poll taxes are a good idea, but insofar as states have general authority over presidential elections, I don't see why they should be prohibited from imposing a poll tax, if they choose to do so.
Ummm, I could be wrong (the law of averages says it will happen eventually) but it looks to me that you think that a poll tax has something to do with voting. Are you sure you know what a poll tax is? I know when I was younger I thought it was a tax on voting.
No, it's not. It's clear you did no research. Do you really think people voted in 14th century England when they had a poll tax?A poll tax is a tax that must be payed in order for a person to vote.
No, it's not. It's clear you did no research. Do you really think people voted in 14th century England when they had a poll tax?
A poll tax is simply a "per head" tax, often taken as a result of a census. (The head of every household, for example, may be required to pay a flat dollar amount as a tax.)A poll tax is a tax that must be payed in order for a person to vote.
You don't know what you're talking about.
There were elections in 14th century England.
The poll tax of 1377 was on every person age 14 and older who was not a beggar. Are you really going to claim the franchise was that universal?
Honestly, while there may have been some elections, I'm not aware of them...certainly not for parliament.
If New Hampshire, for example, holds that voter eligibility requires ... that the person own property or have a net worth of at least $X
Having enough money to pay a poll tax in no way indicates knowledge of the political landscape.Perhaps I should have been more specific, I meant those who have no concern with being the least bit knowledgeable about politics. Think of people who don't know who the VP is, or how many senators their state has, but vote anyway.
Having enough money to pay a poll tax in no way indicates knowledge of the political landscape.
Not worth the riskWillingness to pay it might.
Not worth the risk
I do not think states should be allowed to impose them.Again I'm not defending the prudence if poll taxes, only that states should be allowed to impose them.
I do not think states should be allowed to impose them.
Now, I might be OK with OTHER forms of "quality checking", but monetary does not strike me as a valid method.
You make some interesting points regarding poll taxes, but I just can't go there.Again I'm not defending the prudence if poll taxes, only that states should be allowed to impose them.
You make some interesting points regarding poll taxes, but I just can't go there.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?