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LobowolfXXX Inner circle La Famiglia 1196 Posts |
Poll for my U.S.A. friends. I was thinking about this in terms of the ACA...to the extent that health care (guaranteed in the form of health insurance) is a right, I was thinking that it seemed to be unique (or close to it; I didn't strain my brain trying to think of exceptions, but I didn't come up with any off the top of my head, either) in that the government doesn't coerce us (as Americans) into exercising any of our other "rights." That is, we have a First Amendment right to free speech, but we also have the right to remain silent. We have freedom of religion, but you're also allowed to be an atheist. And so on.
But then I remembered that in some place (Australia for one, I believe), the government coerces you into exercising your right to vote. So I wondered what people (particularly people who are strongly pro-ACA) thought of that. So I guess it's a two-parter: 1) Would it be a reasonable exercise of governmental power, in your opinion, if the federal government started fining people for not voting? 2) Would you support such a law? At the risk of surprising anyone, for me, it's "No" to both.
"Torture doesn't work" lol
Guess they forgot to tell Bill Buckley. "...as we reason and love, we are able to hope. And hope enables us to resist those things that would enslave us." |
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
I'd say "No" to both as well. In my mind, the "right" to health care simply means that it shouldn't be denied to those who can't afford it, have pre-existing conditions or have maxed out policy limits.
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Jonathan Townsend Eternal Order Ossining, NY 27297 Posts |
How do you feel about a guy offering his goldfish the right to vote for one of two pre-approved-brand bottles of cola to be poured into their fishbowl?
...to all the coins I've dropped here
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S2000magician Inner circle Yorba Linda, CA 3465 Posts |
No, and . . . um . . . no.
(Note: I answered because I wanted to: nobody forced me to answer.) |
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landmark Inner circle within a triangle 5194 Posts |
No and no. But I'm not clear on what your distinction is between 1 and 2.
Click here to get Gerald Deutsch's Perverse Magic: The First Sixteen Years
All proceeds to Open Heart Magic charity. |
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LobowolfXXX Inner circle La Famiglia 1196 Posts |
One might disagree with a law while not believing it to be an unreasonable exercise of legislative power. If the question were about, for instance, a 60 m.p.h. freeway speed limit, my answers would be "Yes" and "No" (respectively).
"Torture doesn't work" lol
Guess they forgot to tell Bill Buckley. "...as we reason and love, we are able to hope. And hope enables us to resist those things that would enslave us." |
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landmark Inner circle within a triangle 5194 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-10-18 21:03, Jonathan Townsend wrote: Is that Man-made climate change or anecdote?
Click here to get Gerald Deutsch's Perverse Magic: The First Sixteen Years
All proceeds to Open Heart Magic charity. |
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acesover Special user I believe I have 821 Posts |
Not necessarily fine them but slap them upside the head if they do not vote. Especially in the General Elections.
Can you see trying to have such a law? We cannot even agree that people should be able to prove who they are when they vote. So could you imagine trying to fine them for not voting? I mean I understand you only asked a question, not that you want them to be forced to vote or be fined. Just saying about the voter ID issue and bringing this is up is sort of ironic.
If I were to agree with you. Then we would both be wrong. As of Apr 5, 2015 10:26 pm I have 880 posts. Used to have over 1,000
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Bob1Dog Inner circle Wife: It's me or this houseful of 1159 Posts |
No and no.
What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
My neighbor rang my doorbell at 2:30 a.m. this morning, can you believe that, 2:30 a.m.!? Lucky for him I was still up playing my drums. |
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irossall Special user Snohomish, Washington 529 Posts |
I say NO!!!!!
If someone doesn't want to vote, I don't want them to vote. Some people are too lazy or too stupid to vote anyway. Why not make it compulsory to hold a public office for at least 2 years? How about compulsory Religion? Just as ridiculous in my opinion. Iven
Give the gift of Life, Be an Organ Donor.
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
No, and No. It's a right, It's a choose, and freedom allows one to make that decision.
Dennis Michael
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Destiny Inner circle 1429 Posts |
We do have compulsory voting in Australia - well not really compulsory voting because you can write whatever you like on the ballot, but it is compulsory to show up and collect the ballot and place it in a box.
The fine however is only about $20 I think and the authorities never seem to concerned with collecting it. There are all sorts of excuses you can make to be excused - I was sick, I was pregnant, I was in the bush and ran out of petrol (gas), the dog ate my homework... Despite that we still have a very high rate of voting and I think the top rate of informal voting (which is part intentional and part mistakes) I've seen would be 4%. Compulsory voting has bipartisan support here and I've rarely seen much serious complaint about it. |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Welcome back Destiny you were missed.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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LobowolfXXX Inner circle La Famiglia 1196 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-10-19 10:22, Al Angello wrote: +1
"Torture doesn't work" lol
Guess they forgot to tell Bill Buckley. "...as we reason and love, we are able to hope. And hope enables us to resist those things that would enslave us." |
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Jonathan Townsend Eternal Order Ossining, NY 27297 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-10-18 23:27, landmark wrote: The line is getting longer outside the voting booth - vote already! The TSA has offered to help the NSA and DEA by checking voters to make sure they are not attempting to disrupt the democratic process with any attempts as terrorism.
...to all the coins I've dropped here
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Mr. Mystoffelees Inner circle I haven't changed anyone's opinion in 3623 Posts |
To me, compulsory voting is a scary concept. There are already too many people who vote without much understanding of the issues or candidates. I would posit that if a voter had to "write in" the name of the candidate for whom they are voting, with only eligible candidate names counted, the counts would be pretty weak...
Also known, when doing rope magic, as "Cordini"
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rockwall Special user 762 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-10-19 10:02, Destiny wrote: "Compulsory voting has bipartisan support here and I've rarely seen much serious complaint about it." Possibly, that's in large part to the lack of interest in enforcing the law. Around here, I've never heard anyone complain about the law prohibiting people from kicking the heads off of rattlesnakes on the sidewalks either. I could be wrong though. It's possible that if the law were rigorously enforced with high penalties, people might still support it in Oz. I certainly don't claim to be an expert. |
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MaxfieldsMagic Inner circle Instead of practicing, I made 3009 Posts |
Compulsory voting is a non-starter in the USA. By forcing someone to affirmatively endorse one of two or maybe three candidates, perhaps none of whom are worth electing, the state would be nullifying the voter's right to reject them all. Basic First Ammendment issue, and the Supreme Court would almost certainly see it the same way.
Now appearing nightly in my basement.
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LobowolfXXX Inner circle La Famiglia 1196 Posts |
That could be remedied with a write-in option.
"Torture doesn't work" lol
Guess they forgot to tell Bill Buckley. "...as we reason and love, we are able to hope. And hope enables us to resist those things that would enslave us." |
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MaxfieldsMagic Inner circle Instead of practicing, I made 3009 Posts |
Or a "none of the above" option, I suppose. Still seems un-American to me, though. Freedom of speech should include the right not to speak at all.
Now appearing nightly in my basement.
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