<p>Australians take their democracy seriously. Over there, citizens eligible to vote who fail to show up at the polls and cast their ballot are fined $20. As a result, a significantly higher number of Australians vote than do Americans, or my people, Canadians (I believe the last federal election turnout here was a ridonkulous 38%). </p>
<p>All I hear these days is that America and Canada aren't true democracies, that the "little guy" has no chance at making a difference... I say the reason is because he isn't voting! (This doesn't seem to stop him from incessantly complaining about his current leaders, however...) By not voting, he is letting the "big guy" win. </p>
<p>Straight-up: As a citizen of a democratic country, it is your DUTY to vote. Those who fail to live up to their duty should be fined, and repeat offenders should have their citizenship revoked or at least suspended for a period. We need to get classical Athenian on their ass. The Athenians loved their democratic traditions -- were willing to die for it -- and recognized the truth that every eligible voter who failed to vote was a threat to their way of life.</p>
<p>The practice of donating money to political parties should be banned. It does nothing but threaten fairness in the democratic process. All eligible parties should be granted the same amount of campaign funds, taken from taxes.</p>
<p>WHile I definitely think we as a people should all come together and vote, I also believe it goes against this country's ideals if we instill a tax for those who don't. Voting is a not a law, nor should it be. It's free will people.</p>
<p>The reason Australians vote more is because it's the law there. Do you think the average Australian is any more informed than the average North American voter? No. Voting should not be required, if not for the irony of a liberal democracy forcing an individual to vote than the fact that the first past the post system litterally makes your vote practically worthless unless you happen to live in a region where the race will be really tight.</p>
<p>10 people vote for a leader, every vote is worth 10% of the power.
100 people vote, every vote is worth 1%.
100,000,000 vote, every vote is worth 0.0001%. </p>
<p>So in regions where it's clear from the outset who is gonna win (say Texas or California) what exactly is the harm in not voting?</p>
<p>Though I agree with ICrisis in principle, your claim that voting isn't worth it is far overused.</p>
<p>The statement that voting isn't important seems to be an excuse for people to sit on the couch all day instead of driving to the local library and casting a ballot. And yes, if you're referring to a presidential election, then everyone's vote isn't worth a whole lot, but even when you go out in November to vote for the President you are also voting for local campaigns/bills in your town, in which case a couple really can swing the election.</p>
<p>And saying "one vote doesn't make a difference" spreads this idea to everyone reading, so that you've influenced many people to not vote. It adds up.</p>
<p>Personally, I think it's everyone's reponsibility to vote. Unfortuately, its seems like Americans are more likely to vote for American Idol than president. Here's a thought - maybe we can text-message our vote for president in the next general election. I keed, I keed.</p>
<p>My 18th birthday is on Election Day in MA (11/7) and I'm going to vote for governor. How cool is that!</p>
<p>It would likely inspire many people who never think about politics and government to actually do so... at least once in awhile. That would be a good thing in my books.</p>
<p>From a statistical perspective, the expected value of voting is negative. You have a higher chance of getting hit by a car on the way there than your vote counting.</p>
<p>
[quote]
From a statistical perspective, the expected value of voting is negative. You have a higher chance of getting hit by a car on the way there than your vote counting.
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[quote]
All I hear these days is that America and Canada aren't true democracies
.....
The Athenians loved their democratic traditions -- were willing to die for it
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</p>
<p>Actually America ISN'T a democracy, we're a republic. Athens was a democracy which is why the people were so much more involved.</p>
<p>I think that if there are any reprocussions for not voting, people wouldn't vote seriously. They wouldn't consider anything, and just go to vote for some random person.</p>
<p>I disagree with the concept. My history teacher and Academic Decathlon coach often cites a quotation that goes something like this: "It is said that 50% of people vote and 50% of people read the newspaper; God only knows if it's the same 50%." The prospect of seeing more ignorant people at the polls is one reason why I dislike the idea; the others are that, as stated above, it is antithetical to the concept of free will which we hold so dearly, and that it gives the government another thing to waste money enforcing.</p>