Compulsive Voting

[Peter Parka]

The Australians have their general election coming up and by law they have to vote. My brother in law over there was fined last time for not voting. Do you think this is fair? I personally see it as my duty to vote, even if I don't really like the policies of the parties. I think people should have the right not to vote if the're that apathetic though, what do you think?

 

[GraceAbounds]

I don't think people should be forced to vote if they don't want to. That being said, if people don't vote, they have no right to complain about anything imo and their opinion doesn't hold much weight with me.

 

[sexy.time]

I dont think it should be mandatory to vote. There are so many trailer trash hillbillies out there that im sure dont pay attention to politics and would elect somebody based on their popularity.

ex.
Whos the govenor of California?
The Govenator!

 

[dt3]

I dont think it should be mandatory to vote. There are so many trailer trash hillbillies out there that im sure dont pay attention to politics and would elect somebody based on their popularity.

ex.
Whos the govenor of California?
The Govenator!

Arnold has done a damn good job as governor, imo.

And who the hell you calling trailer trash hillbillies, you frenchy igloo-living canuck?

 

[sexy.time]

haha, i know hes done a good job and that surprised me, but i just think the main reason he got elected is cause his prior fame.

And i wasnt refering to americans specifically. we have trailer trash here too ya know. I think that the only people that should vote are those that understand the basic fundamentals of a democratic government.

If it were up to me, you wouldnt be able to vote unless you graduated high school.

people that dont know the difference between their ass and a hole in the ground shouldnt be allowed to vote.

 

[All Else Failed]

No one should have to vote.

I don't think people should be forced to vote if they don't want to. That being said, if people don't vote, they have no right to complain about anything imo and their opinion doesn't hold much weight with me.

I disagree. Just because they do not vote doesn't mean some magical force makes all of their concerns not matter. If they do not like any of the candidates, thats not their fault, and if the candidates they didn't like in the first place do something stupid, they have every right to voice their concerns.

 

[GraceAbounds]

Just because they do not vote doesn't mean some magical force makes all of their concerns not matter.

If they are going to forfeit their right to vote and their right to be part of the process, then their complaining doesn't hold much weight to me. If it does with you; that's your choice.

If they do not like any of the candidates, thats not their fault, and if the candidates they didn't like in the first place do something stupid, they have every right to voice their concerns.

If they were a part of the process, sure. If they were not part of the process, they can still voice their concerns, and I have every right to not listen to their hot air.

I don't like any of the candidates running for office fully and probably never will. I believe that the best you can do is vote for someone that matches your values as best as possible because I doubt most folks will ever find a candidate that their values match fully with. You are basically picking the lesser evil when you vote. But if you don't even bother to vote, then shut it up as far as I'm concerned.

I'm not much into people that yap yap yap but put forth no effort or action.

 

[Breath]

I do not think voting should be mandatory. What is a shame is that so many people do not vote because they think it does no good. I believe entire issues are sometimes decided because the apathetic voters didn't turn out so their mass voice was not heard or recorded.

 

[All Else Failed]

If they are going to forfeit their right to vote and their right to be part of the process, then their complaining doesn't hold much weight to me. If it does with you; that's your choice.

If they were a part of the process, sure. If they were not part of the process, they can still voice their concerns, and I have every right to not listen to their hot air.

I don't like any of the candidates running for office fully and probably never will. I believe that the best you can do is vote for someone that matches your values as best as possible because I doubt most folks will ever find a candidate that their values match fully with. You are basically picking the lesser evil when you vote. But if you don't even bother to vote, then shut it up as far as I'm concerned.

I'm not much into people that yap yap yap but put forth no effort or action.

Well, if all the candidates aren't up to your standards, I don't believe in voting for the least evil one out of many evils. If a person doesn't think the candidates aren't up to their standards, then by all means do not vote. The thing is, even though if someone doesn't vote, the person that does get elected is still going to do things that directly effect people, even the ones who didn't vote. THEN its everyone's business to complain.

 

[GraceAbounds]

I do not think voting should be mandatory. What is a shame is that so many people do not vote because they think it does no good. I believe entire issues are sometimes decided because the apathetic voters didn't turn out so their mass voice was not heard or recorded.

I agree.

 

[All Else Failed]

Well, if the electoral college should be done away with, first off. THEN votes will really mean something.

 

[GraceAbounds]

The electoral college has rarely ever gone against the popular/majority vote. Our votes do mean something.

 

[All Else Failed]

The electoral college has rarely ever gone against the popular/majority vote. Our votes do mean something.

I remember someone else getting the popular vote not too long ago.

 

[Ria]

I voted 'no', as I believe each to themselves in these matters, particularly as our governments for instance, just abuse their positions daily and the fact we are not allowed referendums either, doesn't send out a signal of reassurance from governments as they know only too well how much they lie about to begin with and will change, or change their minds about once in.

 

[HisHoliness]

...if people don't vote, they have no right to complain about anything imo and their opinion doesn't hold much weight with me.

I would disagree with this. I've never voted for President and I never will. It's a waste of my time. I live in Hawaii. I can flip on the TV and tell who is going to win, simply because by the time I head over to vote, the polls on the mainland US have already closed. Hawaii only has 4 electoral college votes. We don't exist in US politics. Campaign trails never make it to us for a reason.

Nevertheless, I am still affected by the decisions of those in power. And if I personally disagree with what's going on, I will still show my discontent.

 

[GraceAbounds]

And imo you should still vote.

Maybe it is just me, but I believe that I am privileged to live in a democracy. And I believe that voting stands for a lot more than 'just my 2 cents'. It stands for freedom. It shows I'm doing my part. If everyone thought the same way as you did HisHoliness on this issue of voting - just imagine. I mean could you just picture it if no one voted?

People take for granted that they can vote . . . but I bet they wouldn't if their privilege to vote were taken away from them.

I have friends that are felons that can't vote. They appreciate the privilege to vote now that it is gone and wish they could do so but can't.

Even if I could turn on the tv and see who was going to win - I'd still go and vote. It is the doing that is important just like with so many other things in life.

 

[DannyK]

And imo you should still vote.

Maybe it is just me, but I believe that I am privileged to live in a democracy. And I believe that voting stands for a lot more than 'just my 2 cents'. It stands for freedom. It shows I'm doing my part. If everyone thought the same way as you did HisHoliness on this issue of voting - just imagine. I mean could you just picture it if no one voted?

People take for granted that they can vote . . . but I bet they wouldn't if their privilege to vote were taken away from them.

I have friends that are felons that can't vote. They appreciate the privilege to vote now that it is gone and wish they could do so but can't.

Even if I could turn on the tv and see who was going to win - I'd still go and vote. It is the doing that is important just like with so many other things in life.

yea I think that it is frequently taken for granted.

 

[Peter Parka]

I kind of agree with you Grace but the reasons for not voting voice an opinion too. Maybe if, like Hisholiness, no one else voted in Hawaii, the goverment might look over there and wonder why not. This could lead to the voting system being changed so that it seem to people over there that their vote is meaningful. We've had a big decrease in the turnout over here and it's highlighted the reason for it being that people feel the goverment is so out of touch with their needs. Hopefully this will inspire the goverment to change things for the better so that all these people can really feel that they are voting to change something for the better. The way it is at the moment, many people feel that nothing much will change, even if the Conservatives do get back in.

 

[GraceAbounds]

Apathy or feeling like one doesn't count or make a difference is a sad thing. I truly hear you on that. And it sucks when we feel like our government doesn't care. I too feel like my country is going in a wrong direction on certain issues, but one thing is for sure - doing nothing changes nothing. And complaining accomplishes nothing. I can sit on this computer and complain all day - it isn't going to accomplish a thing.

 

[HisHoliness]

I can sit on this computer and complain all day - it isn't going to accomplish a thing.

And then you'd know what voting in Hawaii is like.