quote:

Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN why? mandatory voting is awesome.

Welcome to America.

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quote:

Originally posted by Lebezniatnikov Be careful what you wish for.

There would be an option to not vote or excuse oneself from voting. They would just be required to state their intentions. Instead of punishment, there could just be incentive, such as a voter's tax break.

quote:

Originally posted by Krypton There would be an option to not vote or excuse oneself from voting. They would just be required to state their intentions. Instead of punishment, there could just be incentive, such as a voter's tax break.

The least educated citizens wouldn't necessarily be counted on to take that option.

Look, the brilliance of our system is that everybody has the opportunity to vote. Those that don't care and choose not to be educated about the options available don't vote, and frankly that's fine with me - what troubles me is what would happen if the disproportionately large chunk of Americans who are horribly misguided or apathetic about the future of this country are compelled to the voting precincts by law. That would ruin even the illusion of "most qualified to be President" wins and create a stupid popularity contest about who is able to most appeal to the lowest denominator of the population. You want to talk about dumbing down the electoral process even further? That would do it.

It's a sad fact that not enough people in the US take governance seriously enough for mandatory voting to be successful even in spirit.

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I'd have free hookers and blow for everyone

quote:

Originally posted by MrJiveBoJingles If you had to write a new constitution for your country, what sort of things would you include in it that aren't currently in there?

id ban religion....its useless....

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AustralianGQ

quote:

Originally posted by AustralianGQ id ban religion....its useless....

I'd ban you for the same reason.

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quote:

Originally posted by AustralianGQ

My point exactly.

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quote:

Originally posted by Lebezniatnikov create a stupid popularity contest about who is able to most appeal to the lowest denominator of the population.

youre not saying that with a straight face are you?

quote:

Originally posted by Lebezniatnikov You want to talk about dumbing down the electoral process even further? That would do it.

sorry, but thats simply impossible.

fact is, compulsory voting would even the playing field, and stop one-interest people from getting elected. you would need a platform that is as inclusive as possible. it would also help marginalise the religious right.

parties wont be forced to do "get out and vote drives", if everyone is forced to vote people take it more seriously (like in good old australia).

it gives the minority opinions a chance to be heard and might actually engender a little more variety in your incredibly polarised two party state.

i think your arguments are invalid because it wouldn’t change the nature of your laughable electoral process in ANY way.

and really, who says voting is in ANY WAY about being educated? how is an educated vote for bush any different from an uneducated one? i think a country that voted bush in for two terms has lost the argument concerning the relative intelligence of the voters (or non voters as the case may be).

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quote:

Originally posted by Alex I'd ban you for the same reason.

Sick burn.

- The Production & Sale of Cannabis shall be regulated by the state.

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Originally posted by ******** Seplling don't demonstrate intelligence and educatoin - knowing does.

quote:

Originally posted by Audious PORKCHOP SANDWICHES.

I agree.

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Originally posted by Alex I agree.

OH SHIT, GET THE FUCK OUT!