Monday, May 01, 2006

Low election turnout the fault of lazy voter, apparently…


…and nothing, of course, to do with our vacuous political leaders.

The UK based Institute for Public Policy Research has issued a report, on the eve of local elections in that country, calling for compulsory voting. And some of the British government support it. The BBC reports:

‘Under the institute's plan, electors would be offered a "none of the above" choice or could simply spoil their papers.

Ben Rogers, from the institute, said he believed forced voting would improve British politics…

The radical solution was backed by Northern Ireland and Wales Secretary Peter Hain and Commons Leader Geoff Hoon.

Mr. Hoon said it was "disturbing" that young people and those from deprived communities were "falling out of the habit of voting".‘

Under this great 'new' (adults in Australia and Belgium have been the subject of such tyranny for decades) 'radical' (snigger!) idea, if voters decline the invitation and stay at home instead, then they would be fined.

Yawn, zzzz….

Voting, Mr. Hoon, is not a habit, like smoking or picking your nose in public. It’s a commitment to a political party or programme. If that party, or that programme, means nothing to voters then they will simply not vote for it.

Poland has a much worse voter turnout than in Britain. In the last general election only 40% dragged themselves out to the polling booth.

But we will not revive politics by forcing people to vote. Politics will be revived when politicians start offering some inspiring ideas and when political parties regain (or in Poland’s case, gain) relevance to people’s lives.

The political class blaming voter laziness for low turnout shows them to be in a state of denial so deep that I suggest they see a doctor. Quick.

8 comments:

~JS said...

nice post...maybe the language gap plays a role here, but in my conversations with poles, 'inspiring ideas' isn't the first phrase rolling off their tongues...in fact, ideas like a greener future, more engaged citizenry, religious tolerance, etc...are met with eye rolls...they seem to be looking for something more concrete...

beatroot said...

They want a low flat tax, a Ukrainian cleaner and more shopping hours.

I suppose it's Post Ideological Fallout. The ruling elite havn't much idea how to take Poland forward bt inspiring them about what the Good Society looks like. It's all about 'restoring law and order', or keeping out the market, foreign capital, an uncertain future. It's all about negatives.

And people feel helpless.

No wonder they stay at home.

sonia said...

Beatroot,

They want a low flat tax, a Ukrainian cleaner and more shopping hours

Looks like a very reasonable ideological program to me. What are you complaining about ?

beatroot said...

The day the cleaner comes you have to get up early to clean the place up! (I know. I had one for a while, but I was sooo ashamed that she should see a complete mess in the place I did all the cleaning for her!)

sonia said...

How very English of you! A French woman would leave her sexy underwear on the floor just to make the Ukrainian lass jealous. (That's why Eastern European women say, with a sigh, "Francja elegancja"...)

beatroot said...

They also say something about 'french kissing'...which means something a little different from where I'm from!

Anonymous said...

best regards, nice info roulette online Mens identity bracelets homeowner insurance policy Bluetooth headset for small ears Huge jenna jameson downloads Home inspector eo insurance minivan Discounted flights student airline fares norwich sacramento toyota trucks bedroom bondage Wrecking ball tatoo removal Repairing mobile phones Auto 2b pet seat covers Andy katzenmoyerohio state football Cancer pain and percocet 2006 audi a4 quattro 2.0t 0-60 Side effects weaning of effexor xr food safety kitchen inspectors in ri Under 18 girls blowjobs gay shorts

Anonymous said...

Good day !.
You re, I guess , perhaps very interested to know how one can reach 2000 per day of income .
There is no initial capital needed You may start to get income with as small sum of money as 20-100 dollars.

AimTrust is what you need
The company incorporates an offshore structure with advanced asset management technologies in production and delivery of pipes for oil and gas.

It is based in Panama with affiliates around the world.
Do you want to become really rich in short time?
That`s your choice That`s what you really need!

I feel good, I started to take up real money with the help of this company,
and I invite you to do the same. It`s all about how to select a proper partner utilizes your money in a right way - that`s it!.
I earn US$2,000 per day, and my first investment was 500 dollars only!
It`s easy to start , just click this link http://girynufe.lookseekpages.com/borofuha.html
and go! Let`s take this option together to feel the smell of real money