Topic: Ban Universal Suffrage in America
The Athenian and French Revolutions were two clear illustrations for why universal suffrage is a bad idea for a state with a large base of uneducated masses. They tend to think uncritically, and vote for demagogues that topple on the freedom of others.
The United States is entering a grave situation where the mass of people are uneducated and unwashed barbarians, thanks to the neglect of teaching independent thinking in the mass of American public schools. Only 27% of the US population has a four year college degree (which is pathetic considering how easy it is to acquire one). Moreover, nearly 40% of US individuals over the age of 25 earn an income that is less than $20,000. Though the number of retirees and disabled persons may inflate this number, the figure still paints a haunting figure of the US population, that a significant percentage of Americans are poor, uneducated and large enough to be critical to our elections.
Our education statistics also reinforce this haunting picture. The US ranks well below most post industrial societies in standardized test scores, and just by attending an average university class you will identify deep stupidity. Furthermore, just by talking to the average American you will find a prevailing pattern in world views that is not conducive for a responsible voter. They have a fatalistic and paternalistic mindset. As a member of the upper middle class, I was raised with an individualistic and self-reliant mindset that said I could create a favorable outcome for myself with enough planning, determination, and hard work. Education, critical thinking, and making your own way were the values I was raised with, and I had an abundance of family members to prove it so. By contrast, a common pattern for Americans of the growing "poor and uneducated" variety have paternalistic and fatalistic mindsets. They see themselves as victims of a divine power or the system (referring to white people, rich people, or some other label for evil people). And rather than assume control for their lives, they want to relinquish this control to a paternalistic figure such as God and/or the government. They are so deluded they consider government morally superior to a company, and as an institution that can guarantee their welfare. They believe this even in the sea of opportunities for self-advancement and examples of people born in situations just like them who successfully crafted their own future.
I can not fully explain the reasons why these people can not take responsibility for themselves, but I suspect it is due in part to an observational lacking in rational development. They seem limited in the capacity to draw conclusions from experience, grasp abstract concepts, see contingent events from a following event (resulting in poor organizational and planning skills), and effectively identify the means to reach their desired outcomes. These effects are easily observed in this part of the American population, and knowing this it is easy to understand why they are so fatalistic and seek a paternalistic figure. And a lacking in rational development can be BLAMED ON THE SCHOOLS! I BLAME OUR CRAP PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR THE POOR RATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE AMERICAN POPULATION!!!
This disturbing situation means that universal suffrage is a threat to American society, because history could repeat itself. A revolution may spark that leads to the election of a demagogue(s) and result in a tyrannical society. We just need to look at Obama to realize this as a plausible future. Obama has shaken things up by mobilizing much of this population due to his remarks against the "baddies" and for his promises to provide new and expanded social services at the expense of these "baddies."
In an attempt to prevent this dangerous outcome, I think it is important for America to limit suffrage to people with property, an education, and a certain income (say $40,000). In addition, we need to focus on improving education and living standards for these people so they are pacified and less of a threat to our civilization.
