brad@looking.UUCP (Brad Templeton) (10/21/85)
A mandatory vote is quite silly. You don't create interest in political issues by pointing a gun at somebody, unless the issue is the removal of the mandatory vote. What mandatory voting creates is a lot more frivolous voting, people who vote without considering parties, leaders and ideologies. Our political system is bad enough that we have non-issue elections every 4 years to decide the fate of our country... But I wouldn't mind mandatory vote too much if the choice "None of the Above" could be found on each ballot. I think this would be a great way for people to show their displeasure with the candidates or the system. In the event that None of the Above should win, the government would be disbanded except for essential services like Police and the Army. 8-) [ I actually wouldn't have this clause because it's too drastic for most and would stop people from chosing NOTA which would have been the right choice last election ] I have in the past suggested the "None of the Above Party", which would be a group of 263 individuals who would register in each riding and get listed on the Ballot as None of the Above. An effort would be made in each riding to find somebody whose last name begins with Z. (Or "A"?) Perhaps it's even possible to get a "John Smith" to run in every single riding? THe party would have no policy, and might even have a policy of abdicating to second place just to appease voters who might otherwise be scared. The only other policy would be to get None of the Above put officially on ballots, after which the party would disband. The cost - about $50,000 in deposits which could come from members and supporters without too much trouble. Publicity would come fairly free from the press, and whatever money could be raised for signs and one or two national ads would be great. What sort of party do you have to be to get the big tax credits on contributions. This would have been even better last election because of the bobsey twin effect. -- Brad Templeton, Looking Glass Software Ltd. - Waterloo, Ontario 519/884-7473