In a New York Times debate the question is, “Should candidates have to pass a civics test?”

Here’s an answer by Dan Schnur:

The only thing worse than electing an unqualified candidate would be empowering someone to decide who is qualified.

That’s sort of obvious, as I don’t think anyone is serious about requiring such a thing. And even if someone WERE serious, it wouldn’t pass. Hell a good chunk of the voters required to pass the law couldn’t pass the test!

John Stuart Mill said that the survival of a democracy rested on a well educated public.  Unfortunately, this is us:

• While only 25% of Americans can name more than one of our rights in the Constitution, 50% can name more than 4 characters of the Simpsons.
• Less than 60% of Americans can name all three branches of government
• Only 20% of Americans know that there are 100 Senators
• Only 1 in 7 Americans can find Iraq on a map
• Only 20% of Americans even bother keeping up with current events.