Quote:Dartz wrote:The premise is that you were not one to begin with at birth and must earn it. Which puts you on an even footing with the descendants of the plymouth rock brethren if they have to do it also.
Less than 30.... quite a bit less.
I would argue however, that stripping citizenship from someone based on the results of a test is rife for abuse. Louisiana Voter Literacy tests, anyone? It's already easy enough to disenfranchise people as it is....
I would agree that the possibility for abuse on the test is great. That's why I think Heinlein's idea of citizenship is a good one. You get citizens, who are eligible to vote and permanent residents, who cannot vote. Everyone has equal protection under the law, except for the right to vote. To earn the right to be a citizen, you need to a served a number of years in full time civilian community or military service, starting at the age of majority. Successful completion of your service would make you a citizen. Only a citizen can vote. And only a citizen can run for public office.
The main reason I think it is a good idea is because I already had gone through this route, so I will admit bias on this idea.
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