Why are poll taxes illegal in the united states? in a short paragraph, explain how poll taxes are an obstacle that takes voting rights away from poorer citizens.

Poll taxes are illegal in the United States because they contradict the rights guaranteed by the Fifteenth Amendment, that prohibits federal, state and local governments from denying any American citizen from voting.

The Constitution of the United States prohibits the federal government from levying direct taxes. In response to the 15th Amendment to the Constitution enacted in 1870, which guaranteed voting rights to all citizens regardless of their skin color, many southern states made the payment of a poll tax a prerequisite for participation in the election. All those whose ancestors had already chosen were excluded. In addition, African-Americans did not have the money to pay the elevated amounts that the states implemented, as they had just been freed from slavery. In this way, most non-whites were still excluded from the election. It was not until 1964 that the 24th Amendment to the Constitution banned this practice.

answer; ///i do believe that the correct answer is (d); ///athens had a small population;

since most of current immigration into the u.s., both legal and illegal, is coming from latin america. it would be very difficult to imagine or rationalize a country my fellow citizens are trying desperately to flee into, would pose a threat to my prosperity or freedom. since the u.s. has a long history of intervention, but no record of permanent occupation, i would not feel oppression is the main objective.  

the largest free trade nation, along with the largest gdp in the world wanting to expand it's economic policy on us, and including us, could only be positive. the u.s. government has no interest in, or way of simply forcing american culture on us. and has no track record of it. other nations that adopted american social culture, or "americanization" did so voluntarily, mainly through the choice of allowing american businesses and u.s. citizens to come into their nations, as free operatives.