http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/19/politics/o...ry-voting/

Quote:(CNN)How do we offset the influence of big money in politics while fixing the country's abysmal voter turnout rate?

President Barack Obama suggested maybe it's time to make voting a requirement.

"Other countries have mandatory voting," Obama said Wednesday in Cleveland, where he spoke about the importance of middle class economics.

"It would be transformative if everybody voted -- that would counteract money more than anything."

The clout of millionaires and billionaires in campaign funding has been enormous, and many claim the uber wealthy have undue leverage in politics.

"The people who tend not to vote are young, they're lower income, they're skewed more heavily toward immigrant groups and minorities," Obama said. "There's a reason why some folks try to keep them away from the polls."

Idiot

This gotta be the dumbest thing he's ever done. People have a right to vote or not to vote. Not everybody is big on politics and this would drive people away from the political process more than anything.

It's not a terrible idea.

Apathy is a serious problem and that apathy stems from the fact most people don't think their vote matters. And, let's be honest it doesn't. A vote for a Democrat or Republican in certain states is totally worthless.

Pushing people into the process has been done elsewhere and it isn't bad.

But, you have to make it no big deal to end up not voting, a traffic ticket like fine etc.

Simply not voting is not just for those that are apathetic. I've decided not to vote because I did not like either candidate. I refuse to choose between the lesser of two evils. Not saying either candidate is evil, but you get what I'm saying.

Forcing apathetic voters to vote is a bad idea. I'd say most apathetic voters are uninformed, so making them vote that will just breed even more political hacks in government.

(03-19-2015 06:46 AM)TheEagleWay Wrote:  http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/19/politics/o...ry-voting/

Quote:(CNN)How do we offset the influence of big money in politics while fixing the country's abysmal voter turnout rate?

President Barack Obama suggested maybe it's time to make voting a requirement.

"Other countries have mandatory voting," Obama said Wednesday in Cleveland, where he spoke about the importance of middle class economics.

"It would be transformative if everybody voted -- that would counteract money more than anything."

The clout of millionaires and billionaires in campaign funding has been enormous, and many claim the uber wealthy have undue leverage in politics.

"The people who tend not to vote are young, they're lower income, they're skewed more heavily toward immigrant groups and minorities," Obama said. "There's a reason why some folks try to keep them away from the polls."

It would actually do the opposite. MUCH more money would be spent the to stick an idea in the heads of a "low information voter"

Voting is a right. It is not mandatory.

F off, Obama. I know you have no regard for law or the constitution... but you're getting ridiculous.

This Guy's Head is stuck in the toilet. He is Himself a low information political Hack.

(03-19-2015 07:25 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  It's not a terrible idea.

Apathy is a serious problem and that apathy stems from the fact most people don't think their vote matters. And, let's be honest it doesn't. A vote for a Democrat or Republican in certain states is totally worthless.

Pushing people into the process has been done elsewhere and it isn't bad.

But, you have to make it no big deal to end up not voting, a traffic ticket like fine etc.

Lawd have mercy

(03-19-2015 07:32 AM)TheEagleWay Wrote:  Simply not voting is not just for those that are apathetic. I've decided not to vote because I did not like either candidate. I refuse to choose between the lesser of two evils. Not saying either candidate is evil, but you get what I'm saying.

Forcing apathetic voters to vote is a bad idea. I'd say most apathetic voters are uninformed, so making them vote that will just breed even more political hacks in government.

This.

While there are some people that purposely don't vote for the reasons listed above, the vast majority don't because they don't care enough to. If they don't care enough to take an hour to vote - they likely don't care enough to have any clue of what they are voting for or against.

I'm fine with the ignorant not participating.

IMO, this is just another example of Obama not believing in individual rights and believing that "Government knows best". It would be really interesting to know what Obama would actually "force" participation in, if he had totally free reign and could make the people do whatever he wanted.

First it was forced participation in buying a product, why not force voting?

This would certainly help the Democratic party, but it's naive and stupid to think this will eliminate how money influences politics.

Why is it that liberals will gripe about money in politics but never stop to ask themselves why money has become so important in winning elections?

Money is a huge advantage because you have to be able to reach voters whose education on the candidates and issues is entirely TV and radio commercials. Many people vote because have it drilled into their heads that voting is your civic duty but we never talk about the actual responsibility to be an informed voter. Mandatory voting will only mean you have more people voting based on what they saw on TV.

George Carlin's rant about politicians you can find on youtube is spot on. We're not an oligarchy, we get the government we deserve. Period.

I would not be opposed to making Election Day a national holiday, and I would not be opposed to keeping precincts open for 24 hrs on Election Day.

Can't raise enough money or motivate your base, just make it mandatory to vote. An excellent idea if you know your party has 47% and counting of potential voters in their corner. A few more million illegal aliens granted amnesty and the right to vote along another 8 years (God help us if it happens) of the highest office in the land and his justice department stoking the fires of racism and trying to divide this county and the dems would never lose another election as long as voting were mandatory and that little (D) were on the ballot. Brilliant.

(03-19-2015 07:25 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  It's not a terrible idea.

Yes it is... do you want millions of people who don't give a damn about anything in the political spectrum being the ultimate decision on everything political?

Creb said it best (IMO):

Quote:IMO, this is just another example of Obama not believing in individual rights and believing that "Government knows best". It would be really interesting to know what Obama would actually "force" participation in, if he had totally free reign and could make the people do whatever he wanted.

My wife pays a fine every election for not voting. Granted, she's from South America and the fine is like $35 without a valid excuse.

(03-19-2015 10:18 AM)VA49er Wrote:  My wife pays a fine every election for not voting. Granted, she's from South America and the fine is like $35 without a valid excuse.

And of course the amazing progress of South American democracies is an obvious reason why this is a good idea.

Probably the worst idea I've ever heard. Ever.

Quit making me do things I don't want to do you tyrannical democrat loons.

whoever's forced to vote will probably vote against the person that forced them to vote. probably the most involved they'll be in politics in their entire lives. the single issue driving the elections. i can see the campaign commericals, "senator brown signed off on the president's bill forcing you to vote. wait, what? really?? isn't this america? what ever happened to apple pie, and baseball in the afternoon on a workday? your right not to vote is being infringed upon, but this time your vote counts. senator white hears your concerns and a vote for white, feels juuuuussst right."

(03-19-2015 07:25 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  It's not a terrible idea.

Actually it is.

I should not be forced to vote and I should have a right not to vote if I don;t agree with the candidates in an election.

Suppose you TOTALLY disagree with both candidates, but you are FORCED to cast a vote for one?

Forcing people to vote for some they don't like is not how a "free" society behaves. That is how a communist state behaves.

(03-19-2015 09:12 AM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  I would not be opposed to making Election Day a national holiday, and I would not be opposed to keeping precincts open for 24 hrs on Election Day.

Pointless overkill.

People are already allowed to vote a full month early. Millions now do.

You have an entire year to prepare to vote. Its not that hard.

Time for people to stop pretending it is.