Do you even bother to Vote ?

[Wisbech Eagle]

And it's so much better than being condescended to by those with superior attitudes.

Easily avoided by just doing what most do. Accept that despite its flaws voting is the only direct way we can influence the direction we take.

You might think that believing in behaving responsibly and exercising a democratic right is condescending. I don’t. I believe it’s a privilege and a duty.

 

[Teddy Eagle]

Easily avoided by just doing what most do. Accept that despite its flaws voting is the only direct way we can influence the direction we take.

You might think that believing in behaving responsibly and exercising a democratic right is condescending. I don’t. I believe it’s a privilege and a duty.

No, I don't. I think it's condescending to expect others to abide by your arbitrary strictures. It's everyone's democratic right not to vote should that be their choice.

 

[Wisbech Eagle]

No, I don't. I think it's condescending to expect others to abide by your arbitrary strictures. It's everyone's democratic right not to vote should that be their choice.

I don’t expect anything! If I did I would be constantly disappointed.

It’s entirely up to everyone to decide, unless and until it becomes compulsory.

That though doesn’t mean I don’t find it irresponsible, or that I should not express my own opinions on the attitudes.

Should it become compulsory?

If there was a practical way to ensure that, then I would vote for it. Unfortunately I don’t think there is. Making sure everyone is motivated to vote seems more likely to increase participation and the best way to achieve that is PR.

 

[Teddy Eagle]

I don’t expect anything! If I did I would be constantly disappointed.

It’s entirely up to everyone to decide, unless and until it becomes compulsory.

That though doesn’t mean I don’t find it irresponsible, or that I should not express my own opinions on the attitudes.

Should it become compulsory?

If there was a practical way to ensure that, then I would vote for it. Unfortunately I don’t think there is. Making sure everyone is motivated to vote seems more likely to increase participation and the best way to achieve that is PR.

And would it be compulsory to vote on the decision to make voting compulsory?

 

[PalazioVecchio]

Accept that despite its flaws voting is the only direct way we can influence the direction we take.

have you ever read much history ? A pinch of Salt can upend a Tyranny.

Mahatma Gandhi - Nonviolence, Indian Independence, Satyagraha | Britannica

Mahatma Gandhi - Nonviolence, Indian Independence, Satyagraha: For the next three years, Gandhi seemed to hover uncertainly on the periphery of Indian politics, declining to join any political agitation, supporting the British war effort, and even recruiting soldiers for the British Indian Army...

www.britannica.com

 

[Wisbech Eagle]

And would it be compulsory to vote on the decision to make voting compulsory?

It’s such an obvious answer that I feel sure you already know it.

 

[Wisbech Eagle]

have you ever read much history ? A pinch of Salt can upend a Tyranny.

Mahatma Gandhi - Nonviolence, Indian Independence, Satyagraha | Britannica

Mahatma Gandhi - Nonviolence, Indian Independence, Satyagraha: For the next three years, Gandhi seemed to hover uncertainly on the periphery of Indian politics, declining to join any political agitation, supporting the British war effort, and even recruiting soldiers for the British Indian Army...

www.britannica.com

Not in a modern developed western economy like ours.

 

[Teddy Eagle]

It’s such an obvious answer that I feel sure you already know it.

So yes, then.
The problem with this plan is that if you make millions of people vote when they have no interest in politics you're going to see an instant rise in the populism which exercises you.

 

[cryrst]

It’s both what they expect and deserve.

But you are constantly berating trump voters and reform voters for diligently voting. If you didn’t have double standards you would have none !

 

[eaglesdare]

I respect anyone's democratic right to not vote if they do not want to.

 

[Badger11]

None Of The Above should be compulsory on every ballot paper. They wont do it because the politicians are scared the amount of people who will put an X in that box which means they will have to do something about it.

At the moment they can ignore "spoiled" ballot papers as the "confused public" who didn't understand what they were doing. However as an election officials for decades I can tell you most people who spoil their paper know exactly what they are doing as I have seen and read their comments.

 

[PalazioVecchio]

None Of The Above should be compulsory on every ballot paper. They wont do it because the politicians are scared the amount of people who will put an X in that box which means they will have to do something about it.

Look back to Ancient Greece and the Roman Republic. Voting mattered and was a privilege of select citizens only. Usually only men. Usually only those who were contributing something to society....either taxes or military service.

Now just reflect if that was the case today.

 

[Wisbech Eagle]

So yes, then.
The problem with this plan is that if you make millions of people vote when they have no interest in politics you're going to see an instant rise in the populism which exercises you.

On the contrary. I think it would increase interest in politics.

Populism is something to be defeated by argument. Not by restraining voting.

 

[Wisbech Eagle]

But you are constantly berating trump voters and reform voters for diligently voting. If you didn’t have double standards you would have none !

Untrue.

I am glad they are voting, especially those voting Reform who need their voices heard. They also need the PR system I want to see.

 

[Teddy Eagle]

On the contrary. I think it would increase interest in politics.

Populism is something to be defeated by argument. Not by restraining voting.

We elect politicians to make decisions for us so if they decide to go for populist policies then vote for someone else.

 

[Wisbech Eagle]

We elect politicians to make decisions for us so if they decide to go for populist policies then vote for someone else.

I do.

The argument is about persuading others to do the same.

That argument becomes easier if the populists are seen as being corrupt chancers who only offer popular ideas because of their desire for power and not because of the needs of the country. It becomes even easier if others who honestly speak about what is needed are also seen as honest themselves. That though has not always been the case.

 

[Teddy Eagle]

I do.

The argument is about persuading others to do the same.

That argument becomes easier if the populists are seen as being corrupt chancers who only offer popular ideas because of their desire for power and not because of the needs of the country. It becomes even easier if others who honestly speak about what is needed are also seen as honest themselves. That though has not always been the case.

It would also become easier if you can convince candidates not to tell voters what they think they want to hear to get them elected. Might happen one day.

 

[JRW2]

Oh dear, I am sorry to learn your story and it helps to understand your opinion.

But, it doesn't change my view that we have the right to vote for democracy in the hope that it works to our benefit. I prefer it to the alternative of a dictatorship headed by a despot.

You have put your finger on the overridingly important point. Yes, millions don't vote, but governments still know that if they put enough noses out of joint, they will be sacked. And our democracy will still be intact. That's why, although I have voted in every election since the 60s, I don't accept that those who don't vote are betraying our ancestors who fought for what we have. What they fought for will still be there whether millions vote ot not.

 

[Stirlingsays]

If the last twenty years hasn't taught us that democracy in the west is part myth I don't know what else would be needed to demonstrate it.

The whole system is designed to ensure that nothing really changes and that anyone offering anything significantly different from what the ruling class wants never gets a chance to rule.

 

[Wisbech Eagle]

Look back to Ancient Greece and the Roman Republic. Voting mattered and was a privilege of select citizens only. Usually only men. Usually only those who were contributing something to society....either taxes or military service.

Now just reflect if that was the case today.

You would have 50% of the population disenfranchised and rightly very angry.

The home makers contribute. Those who cannot contribute because of disability, sickness or age have every right to be heard. Restricting the rights of the feckless or criminal is another matter.