Obama Wants Mandatory Voting

[PresidentCamacho]

A good read on the quality of democracy, written by the unrivalled master of prose: http://www.amazon.com/Notes-Democracy-Large-Print-Edition/dp/1494288648

[pedoviejo]

Poor people don’t have time to vote, they don’t have that luxury, and time spent not working is spent with family or relaxing. So, if people like Obeezzzyyyy really cared about voter apathy they would arrive at two possible conclusions based on what the simplest realities are.

How the fuck do you not have time to vote? In most states you can vote early, or absentee vote. Do it on your lunch break like we do.

Guess what, even the lowliest of peasants here have to make time to vote. The US can do it too.

You think somebody working minimum wage and two jobs wants to take the time to dig through all the shit the media pushes out to go vote? Nah, why would somebody with a shit job go and vote.

And let’s not forget that Americans subscribe to a specific brand of propaganda and stay loyal to it. CNN or FOX news derivatives.

Let’s assume they go and vote, the majority of voters will remain uneducated and biased on the real issues because of their limited time. If I work the majority of the day, and there happens to be a news outlet I like with people that speak to me, why not listen to them, I’d have a beer with them. And it’s convenient to boot.

So assuming we do this, the first 10-20 years would make it easy for democrats and republicans to push their end game agendas. And the those two do have agendas.

This mandatory voting issue isn’t something the sane moderate voter in America can afford. Especially when the majority value convenience, and would turn to the two cancers of journalism. Which are so entrenched as the main pillars of information flow to people incapable of using Google at a basic level.

[0sh]

So assuming we do this, the first 10-20 years would make it easy for democrats and republicans to push their end game agendas. And the those two do have agendas.

Yea u rite. Why have a system that will be broken for the next 10-20 years when you can have one that is broken forever?

[pedoviejo]

Sure, but (without writing a wall of text with arguments pro- and con-) isn’t it reasonable to assume that if all people are voting then those in power or hoping to be would have more incentive to act in the interests of all US citizens rather than just cater to those who are “politically active”, thereby actually doing things that presumable matter, thereby increasing public interest because their desires are actually being represented, resulting in a slow but upward spiral of public engagement with political issues and process?

But they can hide behind “common interest” and push weird laws. Republicans rally poor people and middle class business through lowering taxes, preventing unwarranted spending, and family values.

But then push for war with countries, lower taxes where only the top 1% see any real benifit. Cost taxpayers more money by increasing government contracts to a specific elite, and refuse policy that would actually save real money in the long run.

This is of course that you don’t buy into conspiracy theories about all elections being rigged for the by the illuminati to benefit the freemasons’ choice of alien invader sent by god to give the human race autism through mandatory vaccinations, and think that

No the illuminati doesn’t control the US and doesn’t exist, but there are groups of a specific elites that wish to control our government so that they may push their agenda.

Corporations trying to get a free train for $$$ flow
Neoconservatives trying to push their neo nationalistic rhetoric as the standard of American unity
Liberals trying to institute a specific paradigm of thought through policy and media
Religious groups, specific energy intrwsts etc.

All of them wishing to push their agenda as what’s right, because of misguided and twisted righteousness, or self interest.

You don’t need a degree in political science and international relations to know what’s going on politically. Watching the news, reading newspapers or following your favourite totally-not-biased-not-at-all-nope blogger on tumblr or wherever they post. Sure, you won’t ever get a totally unbiased account, but at least it exposes you to the issues and you can then use your brain to make up your own mind.

No you dont, but you need a minimum level of awareness to see through the smokescreens, and catch propganda when you see it. Ever seen Fox news talk about the middle east issues? Random pictures of men holding guns, fireing rockets at buildings, mobs of angry men holding weapons, but with enough distortion that you can’t see faces. And then pictures of soldiers standing in non threathing situations, or helping a little girl. Its obvious that there is more to these things than the average person can assess. Whether or not Fox or CNN does it on purpose, or producers are subconsciously trained and primed to produce their shows like that. The damage is done, nd the need for an educated populace is something that is needed. As it stands, we cannot trust that the average voter can make a responisible decision, and that the main parties won’t take advantage of naive and uneducated masses.

You could argue that it’s entirely unrelated to mandatory voting, but actual engagement of the public with political issues here is relatively high and I believe that the fact that people have to vote (keeping in mind what I posted earlier about not having to actually vote correctly) has helped foster a culture where people are actually aware of the issues even if not actually interested. I’d bet if I was to ask some people tomorrow what they think about the current debate on negative gearing, most would have an opinion and be able to explain at least some of the basic points even if they can’t give a textbook-correct definition of what it is. That’s obviously not because we’re somehow intellectually superior, it’s just that people actually do care where their vote goes even if they don’t look too deeply into the issues at hand.

And that culture didn’t form overnight. There a too much at stake right now. It would be too dangerous right now to institute mandatory voting, especially when the parties would jump on the propganda train and purposefully create fear mongering adds to quickly push their agendas and hide behind increased voter turn out.

If politicians and people am really want to increase voter turn out, and foster a culture of base awareness regarding politics…we need to start programs on school where we educate the young in laws, and their impact. But we can’t have a real solution like that, its too expensive, and God forbid liberals be the ones teaching our children about politics. Might turn out kids into God hating Satan loving atheists that practice sodomy.

[odin]

So what would be the punishment if you didn’t vote?

[Pertho]

So what would be the punishment if you didn’t vote?

Camel Clutch. Iron Sheik make you humble.

[odin]

So what would be the punishment if you didn’t vote?

Camel Clutch. Iron Sheik make you humble.

THAT MATHAFAKKER, HE NO VOTE FOR PERSIAN PRINCE
I BREAK HIS FAKKING BACK

[crucades]

wrong place kappa.

[ShinjiGohan]

If she’s dead, and her death is recorded with your Deaths & Marriages equivalent, she shouldn’t even be on the electoral roll, so I don’t see how you can just walk in.

But year after year dead people are still on the electoral roll.

“When the Poughkeepsie Journal in New York did a 2006 analysis of how names of deceased people were still on New York’s official list of registered voters, it conducted the assessment by matching “the names, dates of birth and ZIP codes of all listed voters in New York’s database of 11.7 million voter registration records against the same information in the Social Security Administration’s “Death Master File,” a database of 77 million records of deaths dating to 1937.” That study resulted in a final estimate of as many as 77,000 dead people on its rolls, and that as many as 2,600 of them had cast votes from the grave.”

Guess those 2,600 must have been zombies or something.

[GoldfishX]

Sounds like the perfect type of go-nowhere issue from a lame-duck president with declining popularity ratings that can’t do anything because both Houses of Congress won’t let anything else go through.

[Wasted]

Poor people don’t have time to vote, they don’t have that luxury, and time spent not working is spent with family or relaxing. So, if people like Obeezzzyyyy really cared about voter apathy they would arrive at two possible conclusions based on what the simplest realities are.

How the fuck do you not have time to vote? In most states you can vote early, or absentee vote. Do it on your lunch break like we do.

Guess what, even the lowliest of peasants here have to make time to vote. The US can do it too.

You think somebody working minimum wage and two jobs wants to take the time to dig through all the shit the media pushes out to go vote? Nah, why would somebody with a shit job go and vote.

And let’s not forget that Americans subscribe to a specific brand of propaganda and stay loyal to it. CNN or FOX news derivatives.

Let’s assume they go and vote, the majority of voters will remain uneducated and biased on the real issues because of their limited time. If I work the majority of the day, and there happens to be a news outlet I like with people that speak to me, why not listen to them, I’d have a beer with them. And it’s convenient to boot.

So assuming we do this, the first 10-20 years would make it easy for democrats and republicans to push their end game agendas. And the those two do have agendas.

This mandatory voting issue isn’t something the sane moderate voter in America can afford. Especially when the majority value convenience, and would turn to the two cancers of journalism. Which are so entrenched as the main pillars of information flow to people incapable of using Google at a basic level.

I’m not arguing for mandatory voting. I want it abolished in my country.

I’m telling you, if you WANT to vote, don’t give me the bullshit excuse that there’s no time.

[Wasted]

If she’s dead, and her death is recorded with your Deaths & Marriages equivalent, she shouldn’t even be on the electoral roll, so I don’t see how you can just walk in.

But year after year dead people are still on the electoral roll.

“When the Poughkeepsie Journal in New York did a 2006 analysis of how names of deceased people were still on New York’s official list of registered voters, it conducted the assessment by matching “the names, dates of birth and ZIP codes of all listed voters in New York’s database of 11.7 million voter registration records against the same information in the Social Security Administration’s “Death Master File,” a database of 77 million records of deaths dating to 1937.” That study resulted in a final estimate of as many as 77,000 dead people on its rolls, and that as many as 2,600 of them had cast votes from the grave.”

Guess those 2,600 must have been zombies or something.

This is a problem with your Government not doing it’s job, not the electoral system.

Regardless, out of 77 million deaths? Holy shit, that’s like, 1 in one thousand deaths still being on the roll. 2600 votes in total from 1937? So, 37-38 votes per year? Talk about exceptions to the rule.

All this means is that in ordinary circumstances, my original statement is true; if you are dead, someone shouldn’t be able to walk in with some documents in your name and cast a vote, because you shouldn’t be on the electoral roll.

[Raz0r]

It is nonsense. Pure, utter nonsense being blown out of proportion so people have something to say when others tell them that voting IDs are a stupid idea and waste of money and resources.

[SoVi3t]

lol this thread

[Shin_Akuma]

But year after year dead people are still on the electoral roll.

“When the Poughkeepsie Journal in New York did a 2006 analysis of how names of deceased people were still on New York’s official list of registered voters, it conducted the assessment by matching “the names, dates of birth and ZIP codes of all listed voters in New York’s database of 11.7 million voter registration records against the same information in the Social Security Administration’s “Death Master File,” a database of 77 million records of deaths dating to 1937.” That study resulted in a final estimate of as many as 77,000 dead people on its rolls, and that as many as 2,600 of them had cast votes from the grave.”

Guess those 2,600 must have been zombies or something.

There was an episode of the Simpsons where this happens. It’s when Joe Quimby is running against Sideshow Bob for mayor.

"Sideshow Bob Roberts"
October 9, 1994

[hecatombz]

you hillbilly scumbags even get a vote?

hillbilly scumbags dont vote, cause they know only mostly electoral votes only count.