Posted on 11/24/2004 11:44:16 AM PST by freeparella
I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, a huge
turnout eliminates the idea that elections can be stolen by one party or the other. OTOH, where is the guarantee that even MORE monies would not be spent(translate that WASTED) to "enlighten" the masses? Even more harmful: Are we sure we want to FORCE voter participation on those with no interest in taking the responsibility to educate themselves to the issues? I'd rather the Ignorant stay home and let someone else do the valid thinking. Then too,until the MSM can be kept out of the equation, the Gullible remain easy prey to brain-washing propaganda (translate that LIES)!
Bad Idea!! Very Bad!
There are some great arguments going both ways on the issue, however, freedom has to trump in this case. A higher % of people voting is not an end unto itself. Too bad there is no way to apply an "informed %" on elections to see how many people were actually informed about the issues and candidates they voted for or against. Sadly, too many people aren't interested.
Even amongst suposedly informed voters - how many of you actually read the voter phamplets this year? How many people in Australia are actually reading the voting materials? It would be interesting to know.
The uninformed probably shouldn't vote just for votings sake.
Now, here's a funny idea this struck off in my brainium, crossways.
Make voting compulsory. Say that, if a voter doesn't turn out, his vote will be counted for the incumbent.
See, that way (A) more voters might be motivated, and (B) we'd know just by voter turnout what the final count of the election is! If there are (say) 200 million eligible voters, and only 48 million vote, then the incumbent gets at least 152 million votes!
Sure, it's a DUMB idea... but it's an idea!
Dan
(c;
If some idiot doesn't want to vote, that's fine with me. If a person can't be bothered to get to the polls, why should anybody care who they want to win?
A terrible idea. Those who are motivated to vote, vote. I don't want some slub who can't bother to educate himself about issues and candidates, who doesn't have a conviction about anything, cancelling out my informed vote.
I don't want someone who's on the dole voting to raise my taxes (or voting for someone who promises to do so).
Hello? This is America. We are free to vote, or not vote. Or vote for complete idiots like the last guy that ran against Bush.
Can you imagine what would have happened in this election if all of those sKerry suppports who really didn't like him but hated Bush worse actually went to the polls because they had to? I don't want to think about it. I have no problem with the informed ruling the uninformed.
Nope. Why would we want lazy, uninformed people to be forced to vote? Just who do you think lazy, uninformed people are going to vote for?
Not Republicans!
It is a great testement to our country that people are entrusted with the power to select for the most important job in the world, and feel comfortable and secure enough to stay home watching soap operas instead.
very true
Except when taking it away "solves" what you believe to be a problem.
And I just don't see it as a problem when uninformed, apathetic voters stay the hell home on election day. They'd probably just vote themselves more unearned money from the treasury anyway.
Well, I can't speak for everyone, but as a younger person I know a lot of my peers are apathetic because they feel their votes don't matter. It seems under the compulsory system candidates pay more attention to everyone, and I feel if more people felt their needs were being addressed they would become more involved in the political process. I'm obviously in the minority on this issue, so I'll just agree to disagree with you all.
I had a friend who told me he didn't vote for Pres in this election because he didn't like either candidate.
I can respect that because that's what I will do in '08 if both candidates are pro abortionist gun grabbers.
I side with the Libertarians on this one and I don't do that often.
Many Old Order Mennonites consider voting to interfere with their duty to christ; man can have but one master. Do you propose to sanction these folks who have embraced not voting for centuries?
Like a dose of the clap.
Voter turn out in America is pathetic.
Excellent.
I like the idea of making voting compulsory here.
A new book, like "hooked on phonics". "Hooked on complusion."
"I like the idea of making voting compulsory here."
I couldn't disagree more. Forcing people to vote who are uninformed or don't care would be bad for the republic.
I think it would be better to not allow people to vote who are receiving government welfare in order to prevent them from voting themselves more benefits.
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