When Books are Outlawed, Only Outlaws Will Have Books

Have you noticed how people of all political stripes bemoan the lack of intelligence of the American voter? Those who believe this are implying that if the average ballot caster was intelligent, their side would get the support. Related to this angst of voter stupidity is the railing against big money in political advertising, which also implies that stupid people can be swayed by the presentation of a clever commercial or radio spot. (Maybe not so much by yard signs or color advertising mailings that require people to read).

Here at True Archives, we also believe in a large representation of stupidity among the electorate, but perhaps the answer is not lessening the franchise but rather expanding it. Would universal mandatory voting (such as they have in some enlightened Western countries) help find the bell curve average intelligence score? Or would a simple literacy test, like only allowing those who do not have a "smart phone" to vote? Perhaps linking voter registration to the possession of a library card?

Ah, in years past that last proposition may have possibly had some merit, but it is painfully obvious now under the tyranny of Information Science that a library card is no longer an indication that the holder actually reads. The Biblioposers, who continue to eliminate print with frightening acceleration, have seen to that.