RP, of the fine blog Random Pensees (no, I’m not bright enough to figure out what it means either. In fact, due to an unfortunate mispronunciation in the Frinklin house, his fine blog is known as Random Penis) has an interesting post concerning a Drew University professor making it mandatory to head to the voting booth in order to pass her class. Now, once at the polling place, you don’t have to actually vote, and non-citizens are exempt. How this is going to be monitored is beyond me, but stuff like this really ticks me off. This is America; if they don’t want to exercise the most sacred duty known to secular man, screw ‘em.
Not only do I have a problem with coerced voting, I have serious issues with almost all Get Out the Vote campaigns. Really, if you have to decide whether or not to vote, just don’t bother. For Americans, this is really the only duty required of you, in payment for all the blessings that come with living in the freest society known to the history of man. You have the duty to learn about candidates and issues, and act accordingly. If you need some stupid celebrity to remind you to vote, to force you to stop paying attention to CSI: Wichita or Models Eating Bugs for Money for almost a full Goddamn day, to sit down and decide who leads the entire free fucking world, then you aren’t worth the trouble. Go away, sit down, and shut up.
Posted by Frinklin at September 25, 2004 12:27 AMAmen!
Posted by: Susie at September 25, 2004 08:22 AMI especially agree with the "shut up" part.
Posted by: Richard at September 25, 2004 09:55 AMI believe pensees means thoughts. And I agree with your sentiments. I was also put off by Bush rallies mandating that someone sign an oath that they were going to vote for Bush if they wanted to get tickets to come in and hear him. I understand they want to speak to a cheering crowd, but that angers me. My vote is private, and no one gets to know what it is. Not even my dh.
Posted by: Rachel Ann at September 25, 2004 01:56 PMAs I've told several people at my work that don't vote--if you're not up on the issues, you can vote with me! I'll give you a list of who and what to vote for, all you need to do it show up and punch the ballot. No takers yet.
Posted by: ensie at September 25, 2004 09:22 PM