Re: A simple proposition to fix democracy in U.S.

Erik Aronesty wrote:

> If we charged people a $200 federal tax penalty for failing to vote in
> a federal election, it would stir a subtle but powerful shift in the
> counciousness of the country.
>
> People, feeling compelled to vote, would also feel compelled to talk
> about voting. If only to complain about it! But that's OK. This talk
> would lead, over time, to political discussion and involvement. And,
> finally, a restoration of "Democratic" part of the Democratic Republic
> known as the United States.
>
> It's a slow process.  But, I think, it's something that's nonpartisan,
> and something that we can probably agree on.
>
> At the very least, we could begin to enact it on a state level - in as
> many states as possible.
>
> I would have said that we could start with California.  But now that a
> Republican is in charge, I doubt it would pass.  I'm not sure that
> Republicans really want people to vote.  I think they'd rather just
> run the show and have nobody vote at all.
>
> Of course, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.


 I don't care if you are wrong, I like your energy towards bringing 
people into the process. I don't care what it is either, but unless we 
break the partisan posturing and corporate influence in DC, we might as 
well be visiting 'democracy' in a graveyard.