Do you feel you should be able to demonstrate the simplest understanding of govt in order to vote?

No. Because tests, like poll taxes, are invariably used to exclude those who would vote against the wishes of those with the power to exclude them.

Anyway it's fruitless. In the USA they have been teching Civics for 100 years. To no avail: Americans, more than any other nation (except, perhaps, Palestinians) vote against their own interests and over irrelevant issues (i.e., ones that scarcely concern them, and if they did they might regret their vote): abortion, "death tax" (only 2% of estates ever paid it; thanks to Grover Norquist most people think their heirs will get robbed by it), gay marriage, Willie Horton (i.e., "truth in sentencing", with the result drug possessors and other nonviolent convicts -- even white-collar criminals -- get very long sentences); also school prayer, immigration (when the real issue is NAFTA and agricultural subsidies that cause cheap American grains to be dumped on the Mexican market bankrupting Mexican farmers).

In short: the issues are too complex for the voter. But who else can be trusted to choose for them?

And what do I care. I live in Europe, and in my country there are a couple of referendums every year on new laws, and people seem better informed than in the USA.

Knowing enough to show up at your precinct on Election Day demonstrates the simplest understanding of government.

If we were a pure democracy then yes.

Otherwise, it's the politicians that are making a circus out of their marketing, erm, campaigning efforts. Even voters with an understanding of the government are severely influenced by all of the propaganda. For me, it's impossible to watch television without obsessively checking the accuracy. factcheck.org has been a good resource for me.

Pure democracy puts more of the power in the people, who are otherwise uneducated and easily influenced. If we were a pure democracy then it'd be a NECESSITY to have more understanding.

By voting you are demonstrating the simplest understanding of government.

Of course. The government could save all the energy and time they put into propaganda. All they would have to do is only allow people to vote who answer their questions correctly. Great idea! You may qualify for a career in America's fascist government of the future. The very near future.

Yes, among a few other basic requirements, like providing a current photo ID and a copy of last year's W-2 or 1099.

Thats basically what we do now isnt it?Those who care or understand the issues at hand vote,those who do not choose to opt out.

Don't even bother voting, because THIS secret and evil group has been in control of everything for far too long!...

http://www.rense.com/general58/suspre.htm

Absolutely not! Do you want to bring back the poll tax too?