As far as I am aware Australia has had compulsory voting since the early 20s. As you can probably guess I am a strong supporter primarily because it forces all political parties to at least consider in passing the needs and opinions of non-aligned voters and not just the narrow concerns and demands of their own party members. As a result it tends to moderate the more extreme ideological tenancies of some sections of the major parties because they know that if they go to hard to the right or left on some issues they will loose the support of the majority of voters who tend to nest in the center.
Which means every time I watch American elections and the way both sides of politics seem to try and discourage voter registration and put hurdles in the way of registering (that is if the likely outcome isn't t going to favor their side of course ) I get very depressed. Sometimes I think the political elites of the US, which after all likes to think of itself as the greatest democracy in the world would be quite happy if everyone but registered party members simply weren't allowed to vote - you know, just sit back, watch television, and leave the political decision making to the 'grown ups' who know what their doing.
Which means every time I watch American elections and the way both sides of politics seem to try and discourage voter registration and put hurdles in the way of registering (that is if the likely outcome isn't t going to favor their side of course ) I get very depressed. Sometimes I think the political elites of the US, which after all likes to think of itself as the greatest democracy in the world would be quite happy if everyone but registered party members simply weren't allowed to vote - you know, just sit back, watch television, and leave the political decision making to the 'grown ups' who know what their doing.
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