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

In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "JoettaB" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>"Erik Aronesty" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
>news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> 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 know I've dropped into this discussion late. Sorry. But, I
>would rather give tax credits to those who vote rather than
>penalizing those who don't. I agree that all citizens should
>vote. Sometimes I even want to personally throttle those I
>know that don't vote, and I'm the one that consistently
>tells them, "If you didn't vote, you can't gripe later."
>But... charging them for not voting... I don't know... that
>just doesn't sound like a solid plan to me.
>

I disagree with your tax credit idea, I do not think the 'state'  (in this 
case We the People) owes you the individual anything for voting. You in a 
fashion owe participating to the state as a function of your duty to the 
state. That said I would not have the state come out and make you vote either. 
Of course a fair number of people do not register to vote as a means of 
ducking jury duty. A lot of places still pull juries from the voter pool 
rather then drivers licenses. I am indeed in favor of anything to get people 
off their lazy butts and down to the polls short of a real reward (cash, Best 
Buy Bucks etc). I would not mind seeing local government wave bus fares on 
election day. that sort of thing. Maybe a weenie roast or something at polling 
places.
At an office I once worked in, we did something like that, the local election 
offiicials had the poll workers hand out stickers to wear on your shirt if you 
voted. Our management catered in lunch for everyone with a sticker on 
Wednesday. In that office, 100% turnout. But of course it did prove the old 
maxum, there is no Free Lunch. I thought it was a really nice civic minded 
thing for them to do. Of course this bunch would do that sort of thing for 
blood drives,united way day etc.; they would bring in lunch at the drop of a 
hat (it kept people from leaving the building and if you know nerds, they 
will work if they are near a computer. <g>)

Talent on loan from Merck