This election: DON'T VOTE

[Shonin]

Democracy is the worst form of government until you consider the alternatives. We are fortunate to live in democracies. We have a responsibility to support democracy.

[tiltbillings]

But, all in all, somewhere above 95% of adults do cast valid votes. What's the percentage in the US, I wonder?

The home of the brave, land of the free, bastion of democracy? Low to mid 60's.

[appicchato]

What's the percentage in the US, I wonder?

Somewhere (as best as I can recollect) around 50%...

[Ben]

Well, yes, but once they are at the polling booth and have lined up to get their names crossed off, nearly everyone does vote.

They do, indeed.

And once you're in the voting cubicle with your ballot papers, you can leave your papers blank or vote for Mickey Mouse or scribble rude messages to the politicians, but nearly everyone does make a valid vote - even on our ridiculously complicated federal Senate ballots.

Absolutely.

Before even getting to the polling booth there are other non-participating strategies - staying off the electoral roll, which is breaking the law but easy to get away with, or being on the roll and not turning up to vote, risking a (small) fine.

I agree

But, all in all, somewhere above 95% of adults do cast valid votes.

I thought it was a little less than that, but it doesn't matter.

What's the percentage in the US, I wonder?

My understanding is that the voting participation rate is a lot less than in Australia.
Just to be clear, I am not advocating Individual's position of choosing not to vote. I am just pointing out that 'compulsory voting' in Australia is really a misnomer.
kind regards

Ben

[Individual]

But, all in all, somewhere above 95% of adults do cast valid votes. What's the percentage in the US, I wonder?

The home of the brave, land of the free, bastion of democracy? Low to mid 60's.

But the quantity of the votes is irrelevant. It's the quality.

Stupid people shouldn't vote.

If they didn't, our economy would be much more efficient because we wouldn't be wasting trillions on political advertising.

[Shonin]

Stupid people shouldn't vote.

So are you suggesting that stupid people shouldn't vote or that the thoughtful, intelligent readers here shouldn't vote?

[chownah]

What election?

Oh you know, the one with those candidates who all promise change, less taxes, better healthcare, and then when elected do nothing as promised and all the problems remain....wait, wasn't that last years electoral candidates, or the ones before those...or....?

There is a candidate you might start supporting but it must be written in as this candidate will never be affiliated with any political party...who is it?......Nobody...
Who keeps their political promises?.....Nobody!
Who actually works for the interests of the common person?....Nobody!
Who runs a totally truthful and ethical campaign?.....Nobody!
Who will run the country with fiscal responsibility?.....Nobody!
Who will work to promote goodwill to all people internationally?....Nobody!

This election and in the future....vote for Nobody!!!! Just write "Nobody" on your ballot in the write in slot.

This is not a paid political advertisement.

chownah

[chownah]

If voting could actually change things it would be illegal.
chownah

[bodom]

My vote is for the Wheel Turning Monarch for this is what he brings to his country:

Whosoever there be in the king's realm who devote themselves to keeping cattle and the farm..give food and seed-corn..who devote themselves to trade..give capital.. who devote themselves to government service..give wages and food.. then those men, following each his own business, will no longer harass the realm, the king's revenue will go up; the country will be quiet and at peace; and the populace, pleased one with another and happy, dancing their children in their arms, will dwell with open doors."

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Is there such a candidate in this years election?

[Mawkish1983]

Hmmm, in the UK the turnout is pretty bad at 65.1% [http://www.ukpolitical.info/Turnout45.htm]. "Stupid people shouldn't vote"? How sad. Half the population has an IQ of 100 or below*, and everybody had the right to have their opinion heard in a democracy.

I didn't even know there was an election due in the USA until 2012, I must be wrong.

*It's amazing how many people are shocked by this, presumably those with a double-figure IQ

[Guy]

Stupid people shouldn't vote.

"Should"s and "shouldn't"s are endless once we get started thinking about the way things "should" or "shouldn't" be. Why not focus instead on the way things are?

We should take the responsibility to educate ourselves about political candidates, their histories, who their friends are, what they stand for, etc.
We should have politicians who engage in intelligent discussion rather than slander campaigns
We should have politicians we can trust to live up to their promises
We shouldn't have biased media
We shouldn't have corruption in politics, business, law and banking
We shouldn't have to worry about our basic rights

But...

These things are not necessarily the way things are. That doesn't mean that this is the way it always will be, but if we are looking to politicians to solve all our problems we are looking in the wrong place, IMO. If you can do something about it, great, good luck to you. But for me, I think my energy is much better spent on changing my mind in a more positive direction than trying to change the world in a positive direction. By working on the mind, we are in fact making the world a better place in the most direct way possible.

[Shonin]

If voting could actually change things it would be illegal.

In many countries it effectively is. Our ancestors and predecessors fought hard for a democratic system. And even if elections (or even candidates) not turn out to our liking, generally democracies are more stable and have better human rights records.

[Phra Chuntawongso]

If voting could actually change things it would be illegal.
chownah

In 1984 in New Zealand a government was elected on the promise to ban nuclear powered,nuclear capable or nuclear armed warships from New Zealand waters.This promise was kept and New Zealand today is still nuclear free.
Sometimes we can change things with our vote,although I will admit too often the opposite is true.

[BlackBird]

I disagree Individual, having a decent IQ doesn't guarantee a person is capable of thinking for themselves. Voting should be limited to people who can critically analyse political bs, and thus vote with their minds instead of their hearts.

That's because instead of weighing things up with discernment, most people hear an idea or doctrine that is pleasant to them and then they take it up and hold onto it, and so it becomes an identification, it's like putting on a mental set of clothes that one likes. Everything that politicians say in public is geared towards convincing you to put on their set of clothes and reject the other sets.

Same applies to religion actually it's mostly an emotional attachment that gives a degree of comfort. To return to the clothes analogy, if someone were then to come along and tell this person the flaws of what they're wearing, they'd almost always tell them to bugger off. Because they identify the clothes that they've put on with themselves, more so they identify with their decision, their cetana to put the clothes on - It's upādāna, and you'll find it everywhere.

[Kim OHara]

Just to be clear, I am not advocating Individual's position of choosing not to vote. I am just pointing out that 'compulsory voting' in Australia is really a misnomer.

Hi, Ben,
Thanks for all your agreements. To abolish the last shred of apparent difference of opinion between us: 'compulsory' voting was not originally my phrase but Individual's which I just ran with. Voting here is no more - but also not much less - compulsory than abiding by the speed limits on the roads.

Kim