If people were being excluded, I would agree with you, but everyone who is a citizen has the right to vote and also the right not to vote if they choose. Obama's election is a good example. People who traditionally don't vote got out there and voted. I think people should vote, but if they don't want to, forcing them to do so is not what this country is all about, is it?
I think they should lose their citizenship if they don't vote. Not voting shows no interest in the country and who leads it, so they shouldn't have the privilege of living here.
might mandatory voting work in the United States? It's a tempting quick fix to our low levels of voter turnout. Also, imagine our political parties freed from the burden of having to energize their base. Candidates could focus on converting voters, rather than trying to get them to the polls. As for concerns that mandatory voting represents government coercion, one might argue that our government coerces its citizens to perform many duties: pay taxes, attend school, serve on juries and, in times of war, fight and die for the nation.
Conservative Voice wrote: I think they should lose their citizenship if they don't vote. Not voting shows no interest in the country and who leads it, so they shouldn't have the privilege of living here.
That is very democratic of you. Where will we deport them too? Mexico? Perhaps we should keep them here as indentured servants. Whose next? Jews, redheads? Maybe that religion that does not approve of blood transfusions?
I'm a little taken aback. If it wasn't you Wayne, I would say that I smell a troll, but I've never seen you post in that fashion, so I guess you really believe this. If you look at the way our government was originally structured and set up, the point of the Constitution was to limit the powers of the federal geovernment, not the rights of the people. You are suggesting giving the federal government the power to force an action by its citizens.
Compulsory voting is anti freedom of choice. Like so much of what is happening in this country right now, I'm surprised (not entirely) that you, Wayne, would advocate the loss of more individual freedom by giving more power to our federal government. I believe you want people to value their citizenship in this country, but what you advocate goes entirely against those things that make this country so desirable. If there is one thing I value after living in a country where certain freedoms were suspended is the fact that I am free to make many choices. Perhaps you ought to live someplace to experience just what it's like to have the freedom of choice taken away from you? How would you like t if you were forced to belong to a certain religeon, forced to attend daily prairs, go shopping only during specified hours, limited in the TV shows you were able to watch, etc, etc.? This has got to be the most ignorant proposal I've seen yet. If you are going to borrow ideas from others, at least make sure they are the best and consistent with our way of life and form of government. Forcing people to do things they do not want is not the way to go, nor is trying to force an idea down anyone's throat. Better yet, Consider that the voter apathy you war against is rooted in our political system's behavior. Why is it people vote in smaller numbers? Could it be that they feel their voice is no longer heard? The people no longer feel their views are being represented properly. Perhaps it's time to look why that is happening and make changes there so that what people want is being heard instead.
Conservative Voice wrote: Some of these posts sound almost elitist.
Our system of government is based upon free will, believe it or not! A person must chose whether or not he/she will vote and for whom.
Forcing people to vote puts too much power into the hands of the government and reduces our freedom.
Your above statement would indicate that you are a troll and the reason for your thread is to do some trolling. And, it sounds as if you are a big government type of person. You know...someone who wants to control others and tell them what to do because they are not as smart as you.
