Sorry, Helen, but you need to consult your dictionary about the meaning of "deplorable." It absolutely does not mean what you think it means.


Once again please.

I have not "railed against" anything. I've given you my point of view and I've put some arguments in favour of it. I've done a fair bit of reading on both sides of this debate. Most of the arguments I've read that are in favour of compulsory voting dwell on the potential equalisation of the rich (very much inclined to vote, and to vote right wing) and the more deprived (far less inclined to vote, and, if they do vote, inclined to vote more leftist). That's the theory, but there is very little research to back up that theory, apparently. On top of that, there's a distinct element in that of principle being ditched. I'd far sooner see much better political education, which, at its best, would encourage people to make informed decisions and, just as importantly, encourage them to vote. By the way, compulsory voting is a bit of a canard. What we really mean is compulsory turnout. You can't force people to actually vote unless you are in a regime which monitors every person's vote and none of us here live in such a regime.

There are respectable arguments on both sides of this conversation. I nearly always vote, but I won't vote if, in spite of my researches, I can't glean enough about the candidates on offer. To do so would be undemocratic.