Less voting equals a better republic

I often take a contrarian view on what is considered the conventional wisdom and the topic of voting is no exception. As MTV charges that we choose or loose and P-Diddy warns that we must vote or die, I would prefer to see a lot less voting. Let's be honest, most people in this country are to busy pursuing their happiness to pay much attention to what happens on Capitol Hill and that's fine. But why do we collectively brow beat these same proverbial islands unto themselves to put aside their busy schedules to drag down to the local middle school every four years to elect the president? If you don't know who Donald Rumsfield is, you shouldn't vote. If you can't identify the 10th amendment, you shouldn't vote. If you currently receive direct transfer benefits from the government, you shouldn't vote. Voting is not a right, it is a priviledge. This is born out by the fact that felons can be stripped of voting priviledges in many states. All priviledges granted by the state are contingent on accepting responsibility. That responsibility included being engaged, educated and rational; responsible enough to register in time, responsible enough to know where and how you vote, responsible for being able to articulate the core principles that have led to the selections you have made and responsible to show up at the polling place with photo I.D. in hand. I would far prefer a system that limited the vote to property owning persons over the age of twenty five, who have proven residency and citizenship, as well as completed a short quiz that shows the voter has sufficient political knowledge to make an informed decision. So ask yourself if you meet these criteria, if not stay home.