I see it like this.

I don't have the time for politics, looking into each sides story and so forth.

& They all pretty much want one thing, control and domination.

They go about things a totally different way also.

Yep! I like the way it is in Australia - you have to turn up and do the deed, but you can always fudge it so it will not count and no-one will ever know. If you cannot turn up on the day, you do it before hand in the week prior, or by post.

The point is not to force people into making a decision, its to force people to make the effort to turn up. Once people are forced to turn up then its easy to get some sort of opinion out of them. It exerts a force against the apathy of people who might have an opinion but cannot be bothered to get off the couch and have a say.

The point of the election is to gauge the wishes of the population, not which party can motivate the most people behind a campaign. The influence of expensive, celebrity type political campaign's is going to exist whether voting is compulsory or not, so I do not think this question addresses that particular problem.

So for me compulsory voting is the kick in the butt needed to get a better representation of what the broader community might actually think on an issue. I do not think that interferes with a persons freedoms anymore then the other law's we are required to follow designed to maintain a smooth running society.

One of the problems with compulsory voting, as I see it, is that you are likely, rather than engaging people, but to instead just bring about a 'sheep' philosophy

"Why did you vote for that party?"
"I don't really care but my parents always voted that way so..."

That's the sort of issue I have. While people might be compelled to look into which way they vote, some will treat it as a chore and go about it in very much a laissez-faire sort of way

Not too mention that if they don't really care they might just read a couple of articles on the media and go "yeah they seem alright" and make an uninformed vote

Now don't get me wrong. All of these things happen whether voting is compulsory or not! lol

I would just be wary of 'forcing', as it were, people into making an uninformed choice

Your right about the uninformed choice. Political parties seem more interested in saying whatever sounds good then being realistic and truthful, at least over here.

SeanChing wrote:
I agree both parties have done things to damage the democratic process...but as of lately the rupublicans have been most blatent....I think the whole "2 party" system is flawed....a true democracy should not be so limited. And most certainly should not be influenced by the almighty dollar but by the real issues, not fictitious "voter fraud"

I don't think there should be any laws enforcing this. However, I do think it should be promoted further, as a common socially accepted thing, if not something that is universally morally accepted.

Voting is a right. If you value your freedom not to vote, then vote. That way you'll keep any tryannical politicians from getting elected and taking away more of your rights.

If you don't vote, other people decide who will be your politicians and will make your decisions for you. Make your government work for you though. Voter turn out isn't usually very high. If everyone voted, then I believe that more of the politicians will have views that further represent the people's views.

Look at how many people are currently dissatisfied with politics. Why are there no Libertarians elected to office. Because not many Libertarians feel they have a chance of winning, so they don't even try. Then, the election results are one vote less than what that area's views really represented. Or, sometimes they'll just go with one of the two candidates more likely to win, so that really it's more of a vote against one of the two candidates they like less.

I think it's because we have this right so easily, that not many value it for what it's worth. I do envision a society where people enthusiastically vote as if election day were a holiday. Taking action and making decisions for themselves in which they're voting for the candidates that will protect their freedoms and make the government work for them, rather than people have to live in fear of their governments.