Voter Turnout

[bryant69]

Poll question: Voter Turnout

Do you favor higher or lower voter turn out?

This question was triggered by an article by Jonah Goldberg, who is a conservative although not as intense as some of them. Anyway here's his opinion.

"Now, as a conservative I don't mind that Americans aren't consumed with political fervor. In fact, I tend to like low voter turnout on the principle that the people not voting are probably the people I don't think should vote.

My problem is with a political culture that tells everyone they're bad citizens if they don't vote but doesn't care if they don't know why they're voting. In other words, I don't really mind if you'd prefer to watch Paris Hilton over George W. Bush - or Howard Dean. That might even be healthy. But spare me your opinion on either of them and, if possible, spare me your vote, too.

Elitist attitude in my mind, but an attitude that would not be totally foreign in some liberal circles. It's understood that certain people don't bring as much to the voting booth, particularly those who would vote for President Bush based on the thanksgiving shot, and vague ideas that if we don't vote for him Terrorists will beat us up in the middle of the night.

Anyway, what is your opinion?

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[AP]

1. I don't think US should force people to vote. However, the more people

who feel compelled to vote, the better it is for Democrats.

You ever see a Democrat trying to bore voters into not showing up at the polls? That works for Republicans.

[FloridaPat]

2. Only 18% of the eligible voters, plus the supreme court

put Bush into office. If you look at history, that's about all it takes to start a revolution, because most people are too busy with daily life to care. Yes, that number means only 36% of eligible voters bothered to show up in 2000. That is pathetic. I think it was Michael Moore who said "democracy is not a spectator sport".

[Torrey Pines]

3. How about increasing the turnout by

paying people to vote? Don't our elected representatives get paid for voting?