Sunday, October 12, 2008

Mandatory

Yesterday, I was getting very long overdue pedicure. I was almost embarrassed to go in, but I sucked it up and swallowed my pride and bared my feet for G. While I was there, we talked about all sorts of things, and we were chatting with the other nail tech and her client, who was visiting from Australia.

This other client told me something VERY interesting.

It is MANDATORY to vote in Australia.
When Australians turn 18, they have to register to vote. And then, if they don't show up and have their name checled off the voter roll, they get FINED. And if they keep blowing off their civic uty, they can go to JAIL. My first thought ? I think that is awesome. My second thought: maybe that wouldn't work out so good...... Everyone should be involved in choosing our leaders, but they should WANT to be involved, and educate themselves about the candidates.

Here are some articles about this interesting state of affairs in Australia.....

http://www.slate.com/id/2108832/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsory_voting

http://compulsoryvoting.org/

http://fnewsmagazine.com/wp/2007/11/mandatory-what/

http://ourword.org/node/94

What do you think about this ? I'm curious, and would be interested to hear your thoughts......

http://compulsoryvoting.org/

1 comment:

derfina said...

*looks to her left, looks to her right, shakes head*

Nope. I don't WANT some of the 'tards I keep company with anywhere near the voting booths! (But then, they prolly think the same about ME. Can't say I'd blame them.)