I'm sure I've heard this somewhere before...

In a recent Forbes op-ed, Bill Flax opines that universal sufferage is a horrible, terrible thing foisted on Americans by political correctness. People who don't pay taxes (by which he means those who get refunds or refundable tax credits) shouldn't be able to vote. People on the dole shouldn't be able to vote. His bulleted suggestions:

• A basic literacy assessment;
• A non-partisan test ensuring competency of basic constitutional principles;
• A stake in the community reflected by property, employment or other measures;
• Restrict the franchise to lessen conflicts of interest regarding state employees, lobbyists, contractors, etc.;
• Surrender one’s voting privileges when seeking public assistance.

Stop me if you've heard any of these before...

LET ME MAKE THIS CLEAR

If you don't like gay marriage, don't marry someone of the same sex.

If you don't like abortion, don't have an abortion.

Gay marriage is not a threat to my marriage. Gay marriage is not a threat to your marriage. Gay marriage is not a threat to anyone except yourself and your own prejudices.

Abortion is not a threat to you. Abortion is not a threat to me, unless I have to have an unsafe one (go ahead and google the number of deaths from unsafe abortions pre Roe V Wade. I'll wait.) Plan B does not threaten you.

In short, stop being asshats and remember what Jefferson said; "I care not if my neighbor has one god or twenty, it neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg."