Comments on: Compulsory Voting is an Oxymoron in a Democracy http://ontapblog.com/2008/03/27/compulsory-voting-is-an-oxymoron-in-a-democracy/ Not Looking Out For You Since 2006 Fri, 09 Jan 2009 22:20:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Cincinnati, OH http://ontapblog.com/2008/03/27/compulsory-voting-is-an-oxymoron-in-a-democracy/#comment-439504 Cincinnati, OH Fri, 04 Apr 2008 02:57:34 +0000 http://ontapblog.com/2008/03/27/compulsory-voting-is-an-oxymoron-in-a-democracy/#comment-439504 Marshall, I married a Brazilian while living there. I was "fortunate" to see the great and glorious Lula voted in. It seems that they have mandatory voting as well. The majority of the people do not pay attention to politics, much as here in the US. And the populist candidates have much larger staffs on every street corner pushing flyers in your face with voter lists. I can imagine that many ill-informed voters just read off the list, assuming that they could read. Otherwise they fell for the populist "blame it on the US, but I can make your life better" message. I'm more a fan of making it more difficult to vote. I would rather someone have to take time out of their day to do their civic duty. Heck, make us wait in line for 2 hours, then we'll see who's serious about making the decisions for the future of our country. Marshall, I married a Brazilian while living there. I was “fortunate” to see the great and glorious Lula voted in. It seems that they have mandatory voting as well.

The majority of the people do not pay attention to politics, much as here in the US. And the populist candidates have much larger staffs on every street corner pushing flyers in your face with voter lists. I can imagine that many ill-informed voters just read off the list, assuming that they could read. Otherwise they fell for the populist “blame it on the US, but I can make your life better” message.

I’m more a fan of making it more difficult to vote. I would rather someone have to take time out of their day to do their civic duty. Heck, make us wait in line for 2 hours, then we’ll see who’s serious about making the decisions for the future of our country.

]]> By: JO http://ontapblog.com/2008/03/27/compulsory-voting-is-an-oxymoron-in-a-democracy/#comment-431961 JO Fri, 28 Mar 2008 05:12:42 +0000 http://ontapblog.com/2008/03/27/compulsory-voting-is-an-oxymoron-in-a-democracy/#comment-431961 I agree that compulsory <em>voting</em> would be wrong, but complusory attendance at the <em>ballot box </em> mightn't be. If voters were given the choice of a "none of the above" on the ballot paper, wouldn't it have the effect of revitalising democracy? I agree that compulsory voting would be wrong, but complusory attendance at the ballot box mightn’t be. If voters were given the choice of a “none of the above” on the ballot paper, wouldn’t it have the effect of revitalising democracy?

]]> By: Luke Pollard http://ontapblog.com/2008/03/27/compulsory-voting-is-an-oxymoron-in-a-democracy/#comment-431337 Luke Pollard Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:34:38 +0000 http://ontapblog.com/2008/03/27/compulsory-voting-is-an-oxymoron-in-a-democracy/#comment-431337 Marshall, I wholly endorse you spending your money on the Guardian - you might want to consider the Observer on Sundays too. The issue of electoral reform is a thorny one in the UK. Ever since Labour removed the vast majority of hereditary peers (legistlating on our behalf by accident of birth) it has been necessary to 'complete' the legistlative reform of the second chamber. There is by no means a concensus in any party about second chamber reform - and each path is far from problem free. But the debate is good and opening the debate about compulsory voting is good as well. Fishing trips to spark public debate are an often used tactic here and one that the media are more than happy to run with in most cases. Electoral reform is certainly on the cards but I'd hesitate to suggest what, where and when. It is what makes British politics interesting. Glad you are enjoying it! Marshall, I wholly endorse you spending your money on the Guardian - you might want to consider the Observer on Sundays too. The issue of electoral reform is a thorny one in the UK. Ever since Labour removed the vast majority of hereditary peers (legistlating on our behalf by accident of birth) it has been necessary to ‘complete’ the legistlative reform of the second chamber. There is by no means a concensus in any party about second chamber reform - and each path is far from problem free. But the debate is good and opening the debate about compulsory voting is good as well. Fishing trips to spark public debate are an often used tactic here and one that the media are more than happy to run with in most cases. Electoral reform is certainly on the cards but I’d hesitate to suggest what, where and when. It is what makes British politics interesting. Glad you are enjoying it!

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