Mxsmanic wrote:

Yes, but unfortunately those tests invariably become corrupt, as they are used
to create a voting elite, rather than to assess competence to vote. The
problem is that the tests are usually imposed by the same people who are
elected by the voting, which is a conflict of interest.


True enough... Perhaps there should be a merit based approach to
voting to allow for cancelling out the ignorant. Sort of allow
for Darwin's theory to have its productive influence on govenrment,
instead of the reverse effect as is now the case.

As an example: If you _graduate_ from High School you get one vote.

Then, you can get additional votes like:

Service in the military - you get an additional vote.
Graduate from college - get an additional vote.
For each $10,000 in taxes you paid - get an additional vote.
For each child you raised who becomes a productive citizen
you get an additional vote.


You should also be able to lose a vote for things such
as being a convicted Felon, and one vote for each $10,000 in welfare
benefits you were given.... if you pay it back then you get an
extra vote that year.

In this way people would be more vested in their country and have
incentives to work hard, make good decisions. I believe you would
still need term limits however.