Do you think our reps should be able to pass a some sort of basic civil service exam?

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

Shouldn't they all know something about law, government, finance, history, economics, etc?

Are they even subject to the same scrutiny that most of the non-appointed administrative pool of the Congress is?

Do we have any bottom line criteria for the job? We DO employ them. They are ACTUAL FEDERAL EMPLOYEES albeit elected ones.

[BlooInBloo]

1. I support as few restrictions on people's right to vote for whomever they please as possible.

EDIT: I also support changes that would make Americans not be largely a bunch of fucking idiots, and (predictably) voting for same for office.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

2. Which gives us the freedom to elect a Confederacy of Dunces

I'm not sure it's a freedom I'm willing to fight for.

I'm just talking a civil service exam for cripes sake! Shouldn't the people who formulate laws be subject to the same hiring standards as those who implement the laws?

[BlooInBloo]

4. This is so stupid, there's really nowhere to go with it.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Acually, all HS graduates should be able to pass

a citizenship exam.

We elect these dunces because the population has no clue who they are or what they do... or who they work for.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

5. Not citizenship - civil service

Different.

But I agree with the rest of your post.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. Yeah but there is where we have to start

as to civil service... so many of these idiots would not pass.

The founders are rolling in their graves.

They got literacy, but they can't read...

[justabob]

7. should being the key word

Unfortunately, I don't think government class is even required in high school anymore. I hope I am wrong, but I used to tutor government students at a local community college.... it is stunning what people do not know about civics in general.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. And that's on purpose

which speaks volumes actually. I think the effort started with Reagan

[justabob]

10. yes

I agree completely. I swear I learned more about civics and our government in kindergarten than current students learn in their whole educational career... But 1976 was a good year for civics. :)

[treestar]

13. That's probably where it should be

As to those constituencies that elect idiots, maybe we should shun them or something. Though there could still be good people there.

Whatever district elected Bachmann, for example, should be made an example of. The entire state of Alaska deserves like opprobrium.

(I know, I know, there are good DUers in those places). But dayum!

Maybe it is enough punishment to see your governor/representative acting like a total idiot in public.

[Chemisse]

9. I have long wanted to see some basic test given to candidates

Just to be sure they were mentally capable of understanding the issues.

If something like that had been in place, we may not have been inflicted with 8 years of Bush.

[robo50]

11. How about a simple test of logic, what comes before and after, what is

cause, and what is effect?

Seems like most Republicans can't figure that stuff out.

Oh, and follow that with a test of sanity. No Republican would EVER hold office again!

[Thothmes]

12. Yes we do have a bottom line criteria for the job

Read Article I section 2 paragraph 2 and section 3 paragraph 3 of the United States Constitution. To apply any other criteria to the election of a represenative or Senator will require an amendment to the Constitution.

[msongs]

14. how bout having arnold pass the california high school exit exam? nt