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CNN reports that when asked how to offset the influence of big money in politics, President Barack Obama suggested it's time to make voting a requirement. "Other countries have mandatory voting," said Obama "It would be transformative if everybody voted -- that would counteract money more than anything," he said, adding it was the first time he had shared the idea publicly.
"The people who tend not to vote are young, they're lower income, they're skewed more heavily towards immigrant groups and minority groups. There's a reason why some folks try to keep them away from the polls."
At least 26 countries have compulsory voting, according to the Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance. Failure to vote is punishable by a fine in countries such as Australia and Belgium; if you fail to pay your fine in Belgium, you could go to prison. Less than 37% of eligible voters actually voted in the 2014 midterm elections, according to The Pew Charitable Trusts. That means about 144 million Americans -- more than the population of Russia -- skipped out.
Critics of mandatory voting have questioned the practicality of passing and enforcing such a requirement; others say that freedom also means the freedom not to do something.
(Score: 0, Flamebait) by No Respect on Sunday March 22 2015, @05:39PM
That's NOT what Obama said. I won't even elaborate. Go look it up if you don't fucking believe me. Don't get me wrong, I think he's an awful president, but this is just another take on "Al Gore says he invented the internet".
For fuck's sake I expected better here.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 22 2015, @05:52PM
I am down modding you because your rant adds negative value.
If you are going to make the effort to castigate us, then you can make the effort to inform us.
"Go look it up" is not a useful contribution to any discussion.
(Score: 2) by Jaruzel on Sunday March 22 2015, @05:54PM
Don't just rant - prove it. Otherwise you are just trolling.
This is my opinion, there are many others, but this one is mine.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 22 2015, @06:07PM
Just ban this prick already