Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
In Australia, everyone has to vote or they have to pay a small fine...not jail. Should we do this here? Pro and Cons
Dear God-Jeebus-on-a-popsicle-stick, "NO!"...have you read what folks post on the internet? Do you realize how uninformed, polarized, blissfully ignorant most people are?
Though you are obligated to attend a polling station in Australia, what you do with your ballot paper is up to you...about 5% of people elect to spoil their ballot at each election.
While compulsory voting does mean you get a representative cross-section of the community, this also means that there are large numbers or voters who are uninformed/disinterested which seems to dumb down the political discourse. Of course there's no guarantee that any system of electing governments will lead to good outcomes.
Both compulsory and voluntary voting have their pros and cons it's hard to say which one is better. If I were American I'd be more inclined to move election days to the weekend where more people are free to vote, as well as imposing limits on campaign funding from private sources.
Last edited by sulkiercupid; 08-08-2012 at 10:33 PM..
In Australia, everyone has to vote or they have to pay a small fine...not jail. Should we do this here? Pro and Cons
No. Those of us on both sides who are informed, intelligent and choose to be engaged in the public square should not have our voices drowned out by the rest of the country. If they want to stay home, let them. We'll fight out our differences in the political arena and make their decisions for them.
To OP's thinking demonstrates once again that it's the people on the speaker's left who invariably think in terms of coercion. ---- God help us all if they get their way!!
Only taxpayers should be allowed to vote in Federal elections (House, Senate, President). If you don't pay any federal taxes, no vote for you. All it would take is the IRS sending you a receipt.
It would be good to fine everyone who doesn't vote $500. Either democracy has value or it doesn't so make everyone take part. Australia does and it works.
The US has the lowest voter turn out out of any major democracy and all the Republicans want to do is lower turn out even more. It's sad and criminal.
Only taxpayers should be allowed to vote in Federal elections (House, Senate, President). If you don't pay any federal taxes, no vote for you. All it would take is the IRS sending you a receipt.
How about this: If you're a citizen and are subject to the nation's laws then you get a say in who makes those laws??? A democratic society! What a concept!
It would be good to fine everyone who doesn't vote $500. Either democracy has value or it doesn't so make everyone take part. Australia does and it works.
The US has the lowest voter turn out out of any major democracy and all the Republicans want to do is lower turn out even more. It's sad and criminal.
Another example of coercive, Fascistic (pseudo-)Liberalism concocted by self-apointed illuminatii who are sure they know what's best for all (but need a little pressure to make sure the WrestleMania crowd turns out).
Good God...NO!! There are so many uniformed, ignorant people out there that have no idea what's going on in society and should have no say in how the country operates. I think there should be more restrictions in place on who can vote...maybe only people that work or own a house or pay taxes.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
