This is the key difference:
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nah turn out is the most important thing
i used to be against compulsory voting. i thought "you can't force people to care"
but now i'm for it
because just getting some of these lazy assholes in the voting booth should be enough
sure some will draw dicks on their ballots but the results are close enough that just a few percentage points of nonvoters begrudgingly finally making a choice is enough to make the difference
I think a long time ago four vile schoolchildren, and a guy who made both-sides-ing jokes about the news on a daily show (and some other sources too, not just them) helped create an atmosphere of cynicism that still plagues us today.
Anything that encourages people to at least try participating again is welcome. Gotta make people realize they are inside a machine they can change via collective action.
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nah turn out is the most important thing
i used to be against compulsory voting. i thought "you can't force people to care"
but now i'm for it
because just getting some of these lazy assholes in the voting booth should be enough
sure some will draw dicks on their ballots but the results are close enough that just a few percentage points of nonvoters begrudgingly finally making a choice is enough to make the difference
@benroyce @GoSeiGer @randahl if there were any high-school civics-class arguments about compulsory voting in my youth (in 1980s San Diego, anyway) I do not recall them. the idea has never seemed popular for whatever reason. I myself have long wondered: is there something wrong with codifying a national right to vote and strictly regulating what a "political campaign" even IS? what's the legal or moral basis for the free-wheeling, easily corruptible shitshow that we've got now?
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@benroyce @GoSeiGer @randahl if there were any high-school civics-class arguments about compulsory voting in my youth (in 1980s San Diego, anyway) I do not recall them. the idea has never seemed popular for whatever reason. I myself have long wondered: is there something wrong with codifying a national right to vote and strictly regulating what a "political campaign" even IS? what's the legal or moral basis for the free-wheeling, easily corruptible shitshow that we've got now?
@benroyce @GoSeiGer @randahl I point out that if elections and campaign shit were nationalized more or less, confined to their particular bureau of the federal government, it would make the round-the-clock campaign season style of political reporting considerably less infuriating. at least if there's a "Department of Elections" I would expect propaganda blasts from them, but there's no such thing so instead political campaign evils practically seep out of the ground, like this was the last scene of Madoka Magica or something.
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This is the key difference:
In 2024, only 63 percent of US voters voted, and Trump became president.
Sunday, 80 percent of Hungarian voters turned out to vote, and Orbán was removed.
Be like the Hungarians.
@randahl This is why republicans are so heavily invested in voter supression strategies. They know this is true, so they want to make it as difficult as possible for people to do, to discourage people from doing it, and it works.
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This is the key difference:
In 2024, only 63 percent of US voters voted, and Trump became president.
Sunday, 80 percent of Hungarian voters turned out to vote, and Orbán was removed.
Be like the Hungarians.
@randahl Trump is getting so hammered in Minneapolis and in Iran there is now a real possibiility that the GOP will face a double digit blowout in November. The combination of all three stands a real chance of reducing Trump to a lame duck. Enough of the rest of the GOP may jump ship to cause Trump's ability to become President for Life ruling by decree to start circling the toilet bowl.
If he attempts to throw out November's results after two battlefield defeats and an electoral blowout, he could even hand us an opportunity to remove him immediately via an otherwise impossible 2/3ds Senate vote for removal after impeachment. This requires fewer votes than a 25th Amendment emergency removal but in normal times is blocked by party loyalty. Possibly not after a 2nd coup attempt though,
This is even after ICE at polling places, even after voterID/REAL ID disenfranchisement, even after felon disenferanchisement, even after mass gerrymandering and all the other GOP dirty tricks. All that will do is reduce a 20-30% spread to 10-15%...
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@benroyce @GoSeiGer @randahl if there were any high-school civics-class arguments about compulsory voting in my youth (in 1980s San Diego, anyway) I do not recall them. the idea has never seemed popular for whatever reason. I myself have long wondered: is there something wrong with codifying a national right to vote and strictly regulating what a "political campaign" even IS? what's the legal or moral basis for the free-wheeling, easily corruptible shitshow that we've got now?
@mxchara @benroyce @GoSeiGer @randahl
#Australia has #compulsoryvoting.
There is postal voting open weeks ahead. There is a week of pre-poll voting where voting booths are open before voting day so you can go from work, or for older or disabled people to avoid queues.
Our voting days are always on a Saturday, to help those who work on weekdays.
There are multiple polling booths in big cities, and several in smaller towns so usually easy or close to work or home. Often we vote in a local school or community hall.
It is compulsory to be on a local Electoral Roll and we are checked off against that. We therefore do not need identification.
To sum up - because it is compulsory it is made as easy and accessible as possible for everyone to vote.
In fact it is usually a perfectly easy, fairly quick procedure. It is good humoured and friendly, you see your friends and neighbours often on voluntary cake stalls or #DemocracySausage sizzles using the crowds to raise money for charities.
If #USA had compulsory voting and a straightforward system where the majority vote wins, I do not believe they would have had the horrendous results they are living with now.
I am eternally thankful for the fairness of the Australian voting system.
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@benroyce @GoSeiGer @randahl I point out that if elections and campaign shit were nationalized more or less, confined to their particular bureau of the federal government, it would make the round-the-clock campaign season style of political reporting considerably less infuriating. at least if there's a "Department of Elections" I would expect propaganda blasts from them, but there's no such thing so instead political campaign evils practically seep out of the ground, like this was the last scene of Madoka Magica or something.
@mxchara @benroyce @GoSeiGer @randahl That would involve limiting freedom of speech/expression, as there is no other way to stop people from promoting themselves in the general sphere, and it could introduce new problems by, say, defining a campaign as any promotion undertaken by a declared candidate - but surely a currently elected official or someone considering running might also be campaigning without yet being on the ballot?
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This is the key difference:
In 2024, only 63 percent of US voters voted, and Trump became president.
Sunday, 80 percent of Hungarian voters turned out to vote, and Orbán was removed.
Be like the Hungarians.
@randahl you assume citizens can vote peacefully instead of ICE collecting anyone of color or just about anyone in democrat districts.
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This is the key difference:
In 2024, only 63 percent of US voters voted, and Trump became president.
Sunday, 80 percent of Hungarian voters turned out to vote, and Orbán was removed.
Be like the Hungarians.
@randahl
The problem is, the alternative will be another fascist. At best they'll be a little more deceptive. But the oligarchy picks the major party candidates every time.Vote if you want, but don't deceive yourself. It's not the solution. The oligarchs own the system, and we will NEVER be permitted to vote their boots off our necks.
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This is the key difference:
In 2024, only 63 percent of US voters voted, and Trump became president.
Sunday, 80 percent of Hungarian voters turned out to vote, and Orbán was removed.
Be like the Hungarians.
@randahl
i say a VOTE OUT
skip work and vote, by the millions -
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