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I should have made it clear, I don't actually live in Australia, I am a US Citizen. I just know a lot of Australians.
I'm not sure that a test would fly as far as fairness. On the otherhand, it would be politically impossible to make voting mandatory in the US.
Aloha,
Rob L
Aloha,
Rob L
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Not only were Sophie and I first to vote in our area, but I got to officially witness the initial sealing of the empty ballot box.
David
Ninole Resident
Ninole Resident
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This is an interesting and important topic. Why are people not voting? Some possibilities;
a. People don’t feel that their vote makes a difference
b. Reality TV has dumbed down the public
c. Corporate America has brain washed the public and is taking over the political process for their own benefit
d. Life is "Hakuna Matata", so why bother to vote
e. Homer Simpson does represent the average guy ;-)
Edited by - adias on 09/25/2006 00:48:35
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Voting is very important to our society. Many an election I have worked the polls and enjoyed it very much. Honest folks doing the job with the utmost of respect and care. Also time for a great pot luck as in CA you start at 5:30AM and the poll closes at 8:00PM, you do not leave the polling place during that time. Some of the Grange halls here are used as polling places. You meet old friends and neighbors and it is very confirming of the ideals of our country.
We use to have a test for voting called a poll tax.
mella l
Edited by - mella l on 09/25/2006 05:47:23
mella l
Art and Science
bytheSEA
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seems like we could just take some money given to politicians for campaigning (yes the get millions from the gov't!), and use that as an incentive to voters. It would certainly pull in the typically under-represented, i.e. the poor. Then just mandate that the media supply x amount of space/time to campaigning politicos free of charge, i won't cry myself to sleep over a little less coprorate media profits and something done in the public interest.
Now getting the voters to actually do any research, that's a whole other pickle.
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Hazen, Three guesses as to which political party that would be against you idea! (And the first two guesses don't count!)
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Maybe we could give a plate lunch to people who vote. Only after they vote, of course. We could always make voting day a potluck kind of community event.
John Dirgo, RA, ABR, e-PRO
Island Trust Properties, LLC
808-987-9243 cell
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Intuitively, offering monetary compensation for voting seems shady. You want people to vote because they want to vote.
Perhaps this is all part of the Democratic system. When things get bad enough people can and will vote rather than resort to other means.
Ajit
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Steve & Regina
Hawaiian Acres / North Lake Tahoe
'If you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there' - George Harrison
