BS: Partisanship: A Way Out???

Subject: BS: Partisanship: A Way Out???
From: Bobert
Date: 01 Jun 10 - 08:09 PM

Seems that partisan gridlock has crippled the US federal government to the point where if it isn't addressed then the country will continue in a downward spiril unable to address real problems...

So here is an idea... What if the federal government were to give tax credits for voting??? That's right... And make them attractive enough so that everyone would vote...

Here's where I see it working to end partisanship... Right now we have a situation where pissed off people, left or right, vote and others don't... All this does is make candidated run to the extremes, left or right... And the moderates just say, "Screw it, nuthin' is going to change..." and stay the heck home...

If we had 95% participation then candidates would have to try to woe the moderates because these are the folks who the politicans know don't really count anyway and it would create a situation where politicans would have to soften their positions...

Okay, it might cost $20 or $30B in tax credits but, hey, if we got our country back to "hittin' 'n stickin'" then it would pay dividends...

So, ya'll, whaddayathink???

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Partisanship: A Way Out???
From: michaelr
Date: 01 Jun 10 - 08:11 PM

Good idea, Bobert. With the tax credit should come a test on whether the voter understands the basic issues.

Subject: RE: BS: Partisanship: A Way Out???
From: Amos
Date: 01 Jun 10 - 08:15 PM

I allus said yon Bobez was one brilliant feller, an' that's the troof. Hick of a job, there, Bobez.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Partisanship: A Way Out???
From: Lox
Date: 01 Jun 10 - 08:27 PM

I have been told by Australians that for them it is illegal to not vote.

I would support such a law in the UK, not least to recognize the sacrifices made by the suffragettes, the various civil rights organizations, not to mention the soldiers who died protecting democracy from the Nazi's in WWII.

I would also support it as a mark of respect for the numerous pro democracy activists worldwide who have risked and continue to risk their lives in its name.

Voting is a moral obligation.

Subject: RE: BS: Partisanship: A Way Out???
From: DougR
Date: 01 Jun 10 - 08:37 PM

Whadda ya mean, get your country back, Bobert? You folks have got it now!

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Partisanship: A Way Out???
From: Bobert
Date: 01 Jun 10 - 09:51 PM

Bull, Dougie, pure bull... Liberals today are yesterday's Nixon Republicans where "engagement" with our adversaries and balancing budgets was what Nixon was about... That makes our country going decisively to the right when libs are no furtehre left that Nixon was some 40 years ago...

You have it all wrong, Dougie... Yer side is winning... Doesn't hurt to have the corportists behind yer side and they firmly are...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Partisanship: A Way Out???
From: mousethief
Date: 01 Jun 10 - 10:40 PM

Bobert you've got it wrong. The corporatists aren't "behind" the Right. The Right is the corporatists' marionette. And that includes most of the Democrats as well.

Subject: RE: BS: Partisanship: A Way Out???
From: Leadfingers
Date: 02 Jun 10 - 05:15 AM

A legal obligation to vote would be a good idea , with the proviso that a ballot paper would have the option "NONE of the Above"

Subject: RE: BS: Partisanship: A Way Out???
From: Bobert
Date: 02 Jun 10 - 12:36 PM

Yeah, none of the above is fine with me, Lead...

Subject: RE: BS: Partisanship: A Way Out???
From: Amos
Date: 02 Jun 10 - 01:07 PM

The core of this problem is in the leverage exercised by groups with money creating a multiplier effect for their own views compared to the voices of individuals and groups without the resources to amplify themselves. In a shouting contest, the loudest voices dominate.

But maybe democracy is not meant to be a shouting contest, with super-amplified histrionics as the coin of exchange. Maybe it would work better if we were exchanging viewpoints, instead of rage and panic and superheated reactionary pigeonholes. After all, the emotive supercargo, whether of fear, rage or slimy manipulation, adds absolutely nothing to anyone's understanding.

Partisanship becomes a problem when it becomes a contest in amplitude and reaction instead of merit, insight and content.

A