State may ditch anti-idiot clause
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
In a bold move forward, the state of New Jersey is considering amending a clause in its constitution which prevents idiots from voting. State Senate President Richard Codey has introduced a bill to remove the words 'no idiot or insane person should enjoy the right of suffrage' from the state constitution. Codey, the Democrat former acting governor of New Jersey, said that the clause is 'outdated, vague, offensive to many and may be subject to misinterpretation.'
The word 'idiot,' of course, is an archaic way of referring to a specific degree of mental disability – coming just below 'imbecile' on the scale, with 'moron' slightly above that. However, it now has a much more general usage (as can be seen by quickly Googling the word 'idiot' and the name of the current American president). Codey wants to replace the reference to idiots, which dates back to 1844, with a clause about 'a person who has been adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting.' He hopes that this will allow previously disenfranchised people with cognitive or emotional disabilities a chance to vote.
It is not known if the law has ever been used to prevent idiots in the general, non-medical sense from voting in New Jersey elections. Although it might be worth noting that NJ has consistently favoured Democrat candidates in recent years.
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This is a good step forward for sure, but that last line in the article gave me a good chuckle - haha
Idiots are finally given the vote!
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pirtybirdy
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pirtybirdy
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ah come on Pirty, all the democrats in New Jersey were called idiots in the first post. Still, anyone who actually believes in the american (or British for that matter) electoral system has to be at least a bit daft. The two systems are the most archaic and unfair forms of "democracy" imaginable - but then, how would the scum at the top keep hold of power if they allowed truely fair representation?pirtybirdy wrote:Well Bob, I voted for Bush and I don't consider myself an idiot. I don't appreciate being insulted on a website that is meant to be fun.Bob wrote:aye, pretty amusing stuff...and half the country should be classed as idiots, them there half that voted bush...
You're not an idiot. At least you went out an voted. I may not have voted the same way you did but it's good you actually went out there and let your thoughts be heard.pirtybirdy wrote:Well Bob, I voted for Bush and I don't consider myself an idiot. I don't appreciate being insulted on a website that is meant to be fun.Bob wrote:aye, pretty amusing stuff...and half the country should be classed as idiots, them there half that voted bush...
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eefanincan
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You're right Sky. Just getting out and voting, is the most important thing. Our system is so screwed up here...our government (federal and provincal) seems to have the ability to call an election whenever the hell they want. It's gotten so bad over the last few years that I never know how to vote. I really wish that they'd finalize the bill that's calling for one election every four years. I think they'd find that more people would actually come out and vote. And it would give people time to seriously study the issues and where they stand.Skylace wrote: You're not an idiot. At least you went out an voted. I may not have voted the same way you did but it's good you actually went out there and let your thoughts be heard.
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IRiSHMaFIA
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Pirty you are anything but an idiot, and your opinion is as important as anyone elses here and appreciated. Don't take it to heart, although I know it's not easy when reading things like that.pirtybirdy wrote:Well Bob, I voted for Bush and I don't consider myself an idiot. I don't appreciate being insulted on a website that is meant to be fun.Bob wrote:aye, pretty amusing stuff...and half the country should be classed as idiots, them there half that voted bush...
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IRiSHMaFIA
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eefanincan
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