Refining Democracy: The Voters

March 25, 2010.
Refining Democracy: The Voters
By T.S. Khanna

Ballot box is the key institution of democracy. Yet, most political problems are rooted in there. At the ballot box, voters are expected to
• Be fully knowledgeable about the political issues, candidates, governmental system and operations;
• Identify, promote, and protect the public interest, i.e., common good;
• Act independently and rationally; and,
• Be analytical, responsible, with mature judgment.

However, in the modern times, the voters are unable to meet the expectations for several reasons:
• Lack of knowledge of political and governmental set up and affairs;
• Growing complexity of political issues;
• Psychological manipulation through social engineering by Special Interests;
• Truth twisting demagoguery by candidates; and
• Limited time, interest and grasp of the voters.

To improve the quality of performance at the ballot box, I suggest some equal opportunity requisites for the citizens to become eligible voters:
• Certification of a course work completion on politics, designed to impart the necessary knowledge, attitude, and a sense of responsibility;
• Minimum age 30 years;
• Must have paid Federal and State income taxes for at least five years;
• Must be the citizen for at least fifteen years;
• Must be free of any conviction of felony, fraud or violence;
• Must have a clean credit report; and
• Must have sound mental health