Comments | a_priori: Prop 10K

a_priori

Prop 10K

Feb 19, 2010 09:06

Suppose the following voter initiative (referendum) appears on the ballot in your area:

Proposition 10K
Records shall be kept of individual citizen votes on this initiative. Upon its passage, a $10,000 tax shall be levied on each citizen who voted against this initiative, as well as each who failed to vote at all. The resulting funds shall be ( Read more... )

Comments 11

twirlingtulip February 20 2010, 02:52:51 UTC

Doing what is right despite punishment is important.
Attempts to outsmart those attempting punishment is also important

twirlingtulip February 20 2010, 02:53:50 UTC

I'd vote and I'd vote against it.
I'd try to brainstorm with other people how to make sure it doesn't pass and plan on how to escape punishment.

a_priori February 20 2010, 14:07:56 UTC

How could you escape punishment? It wouldn't be any easier than escaping annual income tax, which very few people do!

twirlingtulip February 21 2010, 03:55:10 UTC

I didn't actually expect to accomplish my aim but morally I am bound to try. Consistency and integrity requires it.

autophage February 20 2010, 05:11:03 UTC

As a human being, against.
As a citizen, against.

As a dude who will graduate soon with hella loans, for.

Ah well, you win some, you lose some.

a_priori February 20 2010, 14:10:28 UTC

Would you feel guilty about voting for it?

greensword February 20 2010, 06:52:35 UTC

You vote against it, unless there are extenuating personal circumstances, like needing the money to pay for health care or food. What's the difference between the "unjustified punishment" in this case and the very real results that happen when, say, someone like Bush gets elected?

a_priori February 20 2010, 14:11:55 UTC

How would you respond to the following argument:

"Everyone knows what happens if you vote against (or don't vote at all). Everyone has an equal chance to vote yes. So anyone who doesn't vote yes essentially chooses to put themselves in a position to be punished. Therefore, it's perfectly fine to vote yes."

greensword February 20 2010, 20:37:01 UTC

So anyone who doesn't vote yes essentially chooses to put themselves in a position to be punished.I would respond ( ... )

vaelynphi May 28 2010, 20:23:25 UTC

I suppose, as my citizen duty, I should lobby that everyone vote for it (thus making it benign, if nefarious)?

a_priori June 1 2010, 00:05:31 UTC

Practically, though, that's certain not to succeed. There will be some people who won't bother to vote, or some who refuse to vote for it on principle. Do these facts undermine your strategy?

Hi? Where did you come from?