Debate

[Galleleo]

I got a debate coming up, and we are debating about if voting should be made obliged or not. (so that there is a law that you HAVE to go vote when there are elections, else you get a penalty or whatever).

I am against this, but I would like, if it is not to much trouble. Some of your opinions on this matter, I dont care if you are for or against, aslong as I get some opinions either way, it will help me prepare a bit better.

Ofcourse I already have my opinion and arguments, but I think it would really help me if I could hear some other people's views on this.

Thanks.

[Jeansi]

against: People that do not care about politics would vote on
a) People who are most well known (=biggest campaign)
b) just a more or less random person
c) Make a protest vote on some (probably stupid) celebrity etc together with a national movement trying to get rid of the copmpulsory voting system.

Which might end up in a very bad result

[Vykromond]

people who don't vote will probably make the wrong decision when they're made to

[Troll King]

If they make voting mandatory then the ballots should at least carry a "None of the Above" selection.

[Galleleo]

No one is for making voting mandatory? Hmm, I wonder why some countries do have it then.

[bloodzombie]

I'd go the complete opposite way.. make it harder to vote.

People should be able to pass a test before they're allowed to vote. If people don't care, or they're not informed, they're not helping the process by voting.

[Apho]

If people were forced to vote, many people who don't wish to vote would most likely have an eenie-meenie-minie-mo sort of situation, not knowing, nor caring who they vote for and why. But like tk said, an "undecided" or "None of the above" choice would somewhat fix the problem.

Bz has a good point though. People who go to the polls and vote just to vote and not give a shit makes the outcome on who is elected incorrect, in a fashion. A test before-hand with questions dealing with the current election, points of view of each candidate, and reasons why candidates have the views they have, would keep out uncaring voters.

[Galleleo]

In belgium they have the mandatory voting system, and since they got it the extreme right fraction has a had a solid 30% of the votes. Mainly because you take people force them to vote, and even if they can vote for a "none of the above", some will be pissed they have to vote, but knowing little as they do they will just go for the most controversial party to piss other people off.

[schope]

vote for the bitches since for their soons it didnt work

[bloodzombie]

vote for the bitches since for their soons it didnt work

is english your fourth language?

[Galleleo]

vote for the bitches since for their soons it didnt work

I am so gonna use this in my debate.

[Jeansi]

is english your fourth language?

It is for me. Do you have a problem with that?

[Ilya]

why vote when you can eat a delicious Sweet & Sour Chicken and Fried Rice Combo from Jade Dragon Take-Out?

[Mr. Peanuts]

If they make voting mandatory then the ballots should at least carry a "None of the Above" selection.

lol

Yeah, keep it optional, I don't see any plus points to obligatory voting, if many people don't care.

[eRad]

It is for me. Do you have a problem with that?

obviously he meant it would excuse his horrible lack of proficiency

you were just trying as hard as you could to get attention for being multi-lingual

P.S. I know four languages too, it's really not a big deal =/