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From: renner@uiucdcs.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: Re: Re: Heinlein's arguments in _Starshi
Message-ID: <36200179@uiucdcs.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 25-Jan-85 13:20:00 EST
Article-I.D.: uiucdcs.36200179
Posted: Fri Jan 25 13:20:00 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 27-Jan-85 07:02:59 EST
References: <187@ttidcc.UUCP>
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Nf-ID: #R:ttidcc:-18700:uiucdcs:36200179:000:1433
Nf-From: uiucdcs!renner    Jan 25 12:20:00 1985

>  If I remember the book [Starship Troopers] correctly, it never comes
>  out and gives any justification for only allowing people to vote who
>  have served their time.  The character who expounds this theory, the
>  'civics' instructor, says that the true reason for this particular
>  system is that "it works satisfactorily."
   
You are referring to Major Reid's lecture in Chapter 12.  He does indeed
state that the reason for *continuing* their system is that it works
satisfactorily.  But then he continues to explain *why* it works -- namely,
that it balances responsibility and authority.  Those who wish to vote,
thereby controlling the lives of others, must first give up the right to
control their own lives for a time.

I should also mention that Major Reid's lecture is one place where it is
stated that most "veterans" of Federal Service are not *military*
veterans.

>  Of course, different people find different things satisfactory.  Are
>  you seriously suggesting that the only people who should be allowed to
>  vote are those that share your political views?
>  				-- (ark@alice)

Hardly.  I am suggesting that there should be *some* qualification to vote.
And restricting the franchise to those who have demonstrated -- through
difficult public service -- that they place the good of the group ahead of
their personal good is the best qualification I can imagine.

Scott Renner
{ihnp4,pur-ee}!uiucdcs!renner