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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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 OPINION 
5

If You Don't Know Who This Is, Don't Vote

Uninformed citizens should stay home, unpopular as the sentiment might be

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(Newser) – Countless actors, musicians and other celebrities have volunteered their time encouraging young people to vote. But should they? ABC News anchor John Stossel quizzed voters on basic political knowledge at a registration-drive concert and in the nation’s capital. A shockingly high number of uninformed answers led Stossel to the “politically incorrect” conclusion that some trips to the polls aren’t in the civic interest.

Shouldn’t these people, asks Stossel, leave the decision-making to those better informed? “If you don't know what you're doing, you are not doing the country a favor by voting,” one economist told him. But voter-registration advocates disagree: “There's a lot of uninformed voters out there,” says one. “But democracy is about every individual having a voice.”

Bruce Springsteen performs for tens of thousands of people at a free outdoor concert in support of Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and in a push for voter registration, in downtown Philadelphia Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008.
Bruce Springsteen performs for tens of thousands of people at a free outdoor concert in support of Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and in a push for voter registration, in...   (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma)
Presidential candidates are seen listed on the ballot of a voting machine at a warehouse in New York yesterday.
Presidential candidates are seen listed on the ballot of a voting machine at a warehouse in New York yesterday.   (AP Photo)
Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden addresses a rally in Williamsport, Pa., yesterday.
Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden addresses a rally in Williamsport, Pa., yesterday.   (AP Photo)
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Is it elitist to say only some people should do brain surgery? If you don't know what you're doing, you are not doing the country a favor by voting. - Bryan Caplan, economist and author

I hope that informed young people do vote. I just don't think it's so wonderful when famous people drag uninformed and uninterested people to the polls.
- John Stossel, ABC News anchor

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
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5 comments
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Forderon
Oct 31, 08 5:03 PM CDT
Democracy is about having a choice but that doesn't mean it's in the BEST INTEREST of the country that everyone votes. Stupid people shouldn't vote, simple. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
Shannonals
Oct 31, 08 6:02 PM CDT
Agreed Reply
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Zackary
Oct 31, 08 10:32 PM CDT
I, too, agree. Americans - please, don't exercise your right to vote if you haven't seriously done your research. Reply
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Fondue
Oct 31, 08 10:58 PM CDT
Too late -- I already voted. Reply
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The_Mad_Guesser
Nov 2, 08 2:56 AM CST
Slaves on Mississippi plantations were illiterates with no knowledge of anything. What would have happened if we let tham vote? Coal miners knew only darkness all their waking hours until they die of black lung disease in the company towns owned by their well-read bosses. Even if all they know is what Jablonski tells them, it contains more wisdom than their dainty bosses living above ground. Youngsters who can be conscripted for mass murder wouldn't know Biden from Shineola. But they can recognize the stench of death their elected leaders create.. What about women? The dumber your slavemasters make you, the more valuable your vote. Morons can't become smart until they vote-out the people who'd (again) make it a felony to teach a black man to read. Reply
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