If voting is such a privilege, why do you get fined if you don't?

[ss_interject]

It's almost that time again - stupid campaigns, emotional advertising and an obscene amount of money thrown around from people who seem to have a job doing whatever they want regardless of the outcome.  Australia being the free country that it is, also fines you if you fail to vote... so do people vote because they actually give a shit or do they

Comments

[aestheticenigma]

I get really annoyed with people who 'donkey' vote. I understand, particularly with this upcoming election, how hard it is to decide who (lets face it, most people are voting for 'who' - the face - not 'what party') to vote for. However deciding not to vote at all, just scribbling on your humongous placemat, is not the best choice. I do what you suggest, look at the policies on offer and vote for the party that appears to be going to do a majority of what I feel is best for the nation, my local area etc., especially education policies and education funding. I have NEVER felt, and doubt I ever will feel, 100% happy with any particular party. For every policy you agree with there are normally another three or so you don't. And so often they just lie or 'neglect to tell you' exactly what they plan on doing, such as the NSW Labor party neglecting to make any educational promises before our last state election... >:x

[ss_interject]

I think this year is going to be a landslide for the donkey. I know so many people who get right in to politics who have become less engaged and ready to boycott the whole election. If it wasn't for the fines, many of them wouldn't vote... I also know a few who went overseas and didn't re-enroll when they got back. Though I do enjoy how much last minute effort they put in to win you over... It's hilarious!!

[artkouros]

You could swap for the American system where voting is voluntary and therefore with a low turnout. This allows heavily motivated groups - the religious right for instance - to dominate, especially in local elections and elections in non-presidential years.

[ss_interject]

There probably isn't a right way, but I forcing people to vote on issues they don't care about doesn't get the right message... If people complain who didn't vote, then that's a separate issue. Damn politics!! Lol ah well, we have what we have and it's better than what others have

[artkouros]

Yep, short of making me king of the world there's probably no better system than somewhat representative democracy.

[ss_interject]

hahahaha, I think there is probably no form of government with a singular elected representative that is truly democratic but then I doubt there'd ever be a break in the arguments long enough to get everything done. Though maybe the future will have some wristband device that everytime a decision needed to be made you got the issue and details sent to you and you voted if you wanted to vote on it. none of this voting day nonsense, none of this postal or away voting. You got to have a say in whatever was the issue of the day and you could track how it was going and you saw how many votes each side had and you saw your own added to the tally. majority rules even if it was only by one vote....

damn.. i think i just solved it! :p

[ss_interject]

Haha we want each others differences but can unite across the globe in things we can complain about :p There are open speed limits in Europe, but their driving school is better than our system... I wonder if many people would even pass their test 10 years after getting their license lol