August 10, 2004

Tar and Feather

jamesh: To me, the difference between filing an informal vote and not voting at all is twofold.

  • It is a waste of people's time. The people handling the ballots have wasted their time, the person filing the informal ballot wasted his time, and the people who actually wanted to vote had to wait longer, wasting their time.
  • Even worse, its government excess at its finest. The *need* to have someone fill out forms to express their apathy doesn't solve the apathy. And the apathy seems to be fairly well expressed by low voter turnout.

I agree completely that people should vote. I am all for people voting. I have voted in every election I have been able to, and I attempt to convince some of the apathetic friends I have to vote as well. However, my desire to vote, and my desire for other people to vote doesn't mean it should be compulsory. My desire to vote is just that, mine. Not yours, not his, and not anyone elses. My reaction to being told I have to vote would be the same as being told I was not allowed to vote. Total outrage.

As far as preferential voting removing a 2 party bias, I can see your point, and I would prefer such a system. However, I doubt it will be seen any time soon in America, as it does take a large step towards defeating the two party status quo, and I doubt either party would support that agenda.

In other news, Ralph Nader should be shot. Shot, tarred, feathered, dragged out into the road, urinated on, etc. And before you email to tell me how wrong/right/bad/good/stupid/smart/whatever I am, please understand that I don't think/care if Nader lost the 2000 election for Al Gore, and I don't think/care if Nader can/will lose the 2004 election for Kerry. I just think he is a total egotist who has no place presenting himself as a real choice. (With regards to the 2000 election, Al Gore lost that election. When you are unable to carry your home state, its time to get the fuck out of politics and take up disco or some shit.)

Posted by tberman at August 10, 2004 07:58 AM