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bestonnet_00
Skeptic Friend
Australia
358 Posts |
 Posted - 06/19/2001 : 05:26:03 [Permalink]
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In most places where voting is compulsary very few people seem to think that they have the right not to vote.
If it is secret ballot then no one except you and anyone you volantarly tell is going to know if you put a blank ballot paper in the box.
People still have the option of not voting, by either paying a fine or putting in an informal ballot, but since to get out of the fine they have to turn up at the place of voting they usually just vote for someone (whoever they think would do the best job).
When it comes to tyranny of the majority one of the best ways of looking at majorities, is not at a big group of people, but many smaller minorities, each of which has its own interests.
In effect a majority is an allience of many different minorities that agree on the one issue.
Basically everyone belongs to many different minorities based on age, interests, any disabilities the person has, religion, education level, race, culture, occupation, sometimes gender (usually there are slightly more females then males), etc.
Its when those minorities share a common interest that majorities come about.
The US when it was founded only gave the vote to white male land owners.
Its only when the vote is given to more people that democracy becomes less tyrannical.
"The cure to the problems of democracy is stronger democracy"
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Garrette
SFN Regular
USA
562 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2001 : 06:14:31 [Permalink]
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quote:
The US when it was founded only gave the vote to white male land owners.
True, political power was intentionally and unfairly limited in the US as in most nations of the time.
We grew out of it as have most nations.
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Its only when the vote is given to more people that democracy becomes less tyrannical.
"The cure to the problems of democracy is stronger democracy"
We are in agreement, just as the solution to offensive speech is more speech. I'm just not a supporter of compulsory voting--sort of like saying "You're going to HAVE the blasted liberties inherent in democracy if we have to CRAM THE ----ED THINGS DOWN YOUR THROAT!"
My kids still love me. |
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bestonnet_00
Skeptic Friend
Australia
358 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2001 : 08:00:00 [Permalink]
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I consider voting to be a responsibility just like paying taxes, so I don't really have any problem with compulsary voting.
Anyway it does reduce the extreamist element of some elections and forces the parties to say they are going to implement policies to benefit the majority of people the nation (whether they actually implement them is another matter).
Oh well, getting rid of political parties is something that would probably help quite a lot.
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Garrette
SFN Regular
USA
562 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2001 : 12:34:48 [Permalink]
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Oh well, getting rid of political parties is something that would probably help quite a lot
AAAGGGHHHH! Thank goodness for political parties and the gridlock they create. We're in deep doodoo when our politicians come to a concensus.
My kids still love me. |
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Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2001 : 02:58:06 [Permalink]
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quote:
People still have the option of not voting, by either paying a fine or putting in an informal ballot, but since to get out of the fine they have to turn up at the place of voting they usually just vote for someone (whoever they think would do the best job).
Between Gore and Bush, neither would have or will do a good job. Gore because of his stupid wife, and Bush because he's just plain stupid.
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The US when it was founded only gave the vote to white male land owners.
What's wrong with landowners having more of a say?
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Its only when the vote is given to more people that democracy becomes less tyrannical.
Hum! Not necessarily |
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bestonnet_00
Skeptic Friend
Australia
358 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2001 : 03:50:00 [Permalink]
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Between Gore and Bush, neither would have or will do a good job. Gore because of his stupid wife, and Bush because he's just plain stupid.
Lesser of two evils situtation.
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What's wrong with landowners having more of a say?
Discrimination.
With more people voting and being given an equal vote it is far harder for any minoritiy to take over the government.
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Garrette
SFN Regular
USA
562 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2001 : 13:29:06 [Permalink]
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Don't be so worried about the minority element. Political minorities don't last long in power. An unchallenged majority should scare you to death.
My kids still love me. |
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bestonnet_00
Skeptic Friend
Australia
358 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2001 : 03:32:00 [Permalink]
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There is never such a thing as a homogenous majority.
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