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

In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [EMAIL PROTECTED] (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.

It would also be unconstitutional. Consider not voting is a statement on the 
state of affairs itself. a sort of 'none-of-the-above'.

>
>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.

Talent on loan from Merck