Should everyone vote?

[andrewcstein]

One of two things should happen:

1. Mandatory voting.
2. Voting licensing - Voters-to-be would have to pass some sort of Civics test to show they knew what they were doing.

I feel equally uncomfortable with someone voting for Obama because he is "fresh and new" while he runs under a completely empty banner of "hope and change" as I am with someone voting for Bush because he seems to be the most Jesus-y.

BTW, if Jesusy is not yet a recognized word, I hereby coin it.

I like the licensing thing. But it'll never fly.

Jesusy should be a word, I'm with you there.

[11chaos]

That's very true and very, very sad...they're more informed and qualified to vote for American Idol/Dancing With the Stars/etc than for the leaders of our country. That's one of the things that makes me think a voting eligibility test might not be such a bad idea.

Dude those old guys are so lame and boring.

Let's not forget the laziness factor. If people could vote for the President from their couches, a lot more votes would be cast.

Couch potatoes unite

[ashley832]

If people want to vote then they should but if they dont want to then they shouldnt. Its their choice and no one should make someone vote or say that they have to.

Sorry guys, but this may seem harsh.....if you want to have freedom of speech, equal rights, a say as to what happens in our country, etc, etc, etc, then vote, and if you don't vote, then don't complain when something is done in a way that you do not like by our government, because you have not participated in electing him/her to office. I'm not directing this towards anyone whatsoever, just simply saying what I think

I agree!


Ashley

[theproudestmonkey]

And get this - this is fact....the most people to ever vote in a presidential election was roughly 60 million in 2004, yet in last weeks American Idol semi-finals, 56 million people voted....that is just really, really wrong in my opinion....yes, alot of those votes were probably minors, but still....

actually, that is not a fact, lol......the most people ever to vote in an election was more than double your figure!! each candidate had roughly 60 million votes in '04.....total votes cast were roughly 122 million

still ridiculous that 56 million votes are cast for idol, but there are alot of minors voting there, and you can vote as many times as you want.....numbers are a bit misleading

[garnett_21]

I agree noone should be forced to vote, but those who don't shouldn't complain when stuff goes the way they don't agree with.....there are plenty of countries/nations where people don't have a say period....we are all fortunate enough to live in the USA where we can walk outside and say the president sucks if we want and not get shot....you say anything bad whatsoever about the leaders of communist coutries, you'll be killed!

[OnePimpTiger]

I think JammingJames23's original question is being misunderstood by some. I don't think it's a question of should we make everyone vote whether they want to or not, but a question of should people vote if they are not informed enough to know what they are voting for. It didn't seem to me see was addressing people's right to abstain from voting.

JammingJames23 - If I'm wrong about that, feel free to correct me...but that's how I interpreted your original post.

[garnett_21]

actually, that is not a fact, lol......the most people ever to vote in an election was more than double your figure!! each candidate had roughly 60 million votes in '04.....total votes cast were roughly 122 million

still ridiculous that 56 million votes are cast for idol, but there are alot of minors voting there, and you can vote as many times as you want.....numbers are a bit misleading

ok, so I was a little off....lol....still, 56 million votes were cast for a stupid (no offense to anyone who watches it) reality TV show....isn't that a little crazy?? and most people could name who the contestants on Idol are, but can't name the CURRENT president/V.P. or McCain/Obama/Clinton even with pictures!

[OnePimpTiger]

ok, so I was a little off....lol....still, 56 million votes were cast for a stupid (no offense to anyone who watches it) reality TV show....isn't that a little crazy?? and most people could name who the contestants on Idol are, but can't name the CURRENT president/V.P. or McCain/Obama/Clinton even with pictures!

Hey, I agree with you 100%, no argument whatsoever!....the only difference in my opinion is that I don't care if anyone who watches it is offended

[garnett_21]

OnePimpTiger - no, I think you're right....this has kinda taken a twist by some, including me.....sorry bout that Jamming!

to answer the original question.....I think everyone should vote, and if you don't know enough to vote, you should take the nessessary steps to inform yourself (like I said before, watching news makes a world of difference)

[garnett_21]

lol.......

Hey, I agree with you 100%, no argument whatsoever!....the only difference in my opinion is that I don't care if anyone who watches it is offended