I support mandatory voting

[bluestateguy]

This nation is in a national emergency. If every American, and I do mean every American, who is eligible to vote would vote these criminals would be removed from office.

Hence, I now favor mandatory voting in this country, just like they do in many other functioning democracies around the world, most notably Australia.

You don't vote, then you can't be the recipient of any government program. You don't vote, then you pay a fine of $100. I also think it would be a good idea to have police escorts take people to the polls who are habitual non-voters.

We also need to make election day a national holiday, and mandate the closing of all businesses and offices that do not serve emergency needs.

If this seems heavy-handed, I really don't care. This nation is in trouble, and this is just what has to be done.

[ck4829]

1. The Silent Fundies will also be voting

That might not be such a good idea.

[CascadeTide]

13. I don't think there are many fundies

I don't have any stats but I would guess they wouldn't have that many more voters than they already have.

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. We got a lot more to deal with than just

mandatory voting: http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/electionreform.htm

[Justyce]

3. Many of the ones who don't

vote now aren't paying attention, so they would be easier swayed by republican lies & soundbites -- I personally think it would be better to encourage people to pay attention and vote voluntarily than force them to vote on something they know nothing about. JMO.

[redtapeblues]

4. Forced voting, huh...?

I think that's what they have in those countries where the winnner gets 100% of the vote.

Surely, you must be joking.

[bluestateguy]

6. You mean like Australia and Belgium?

And look at what totalitarian dictatorships those nations are.

[NotThatNolan]

9. Australia has mandatory voting?

Ya learn something new every day.

[marions ghost]

5. mandatory voting has benefits

--it gets young people involved (instead of having them voting only in their 30's and 40's).

--one of the often overlooked benefits of mandatory voting is that it ELIMINATES all the hassle and corruption and disenfranchisement involved in the US system of pre-registration. All the registration business is completely eliminated, and therefore one way that local officials can skew elections just isn't a factor.

As long as the voter has the right to abstain if they don't like any candidate, the system works well to ensure that everyone makes an effort to get to the polls.

I wouldn't go so far as to have police escorts--a fine is deterrent enough. Not voting should be only a small misdemeanor.

[tjdee]

7. Republicans don't want everyone to vote.

That's the simple truth.

Increased numbers bode poorly for them, since their agenda is only for a minority of the people.

Which is the SMART thing to do. This bullshit "register before you vote" thing is so silly--I remember more than one of my acquaintances saw the last debate and went "oh shit, this guy is actually doing well in the polls? I'm gonna vote then." Only to find out they couldn't, because they didn't register.

:eyes:

[cynatnite]

8. Sounds good, but I don't like it

those who don't want to be there for whatever reason might vote for any jackass.

[DB324]

10. I would rather see a decrease in voting age. Say...16.

[bluestateguy]

11. No, that is a bad idea

I'm all for private organizations holding mock national elections, and high school civics classes emphasizing the importance of voting, but I'd rather see Americans take a high school civics class before voting.

[bluestateguy]

12. kick

:kick:

[sarcasmo]

14. A national voting Holiday will happen someday.

When the Dem's have the House and Senate.