General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI want to propose that in order to receive any government assistance whatsoever...
You are required to fulfil your civic duty and VOTE.
winter is coming
(11,785 posts)Frankly, if someone doesn't want to go to the polls, it's probably better for all concerned that they not be there.
Demonaut
(8,914 posts)winter is coming
(11,785 posts)We have retired citizens who receive Medicare and Social Security but might not be able to vote because they no longer drive and never had birth certificates. People on Medicaid or unemployment... you're living on a small fixed income, yet you're supposed to keep your ID completely current if you want to vote.
Downwinder
(12,869 posts)I know most all of the poll workers, why do I need an ID?
leftstreet
(36,097 posts)NuclearDem
(16,184 posts)The right to not vote is just as important as the right to do so.
I'm all in favor of tax credits or incentives for civic education courses and other forms of participatory democracy (attending local government meetings and functions, for example), but not holding people in desperate need to that sort of obligation.
Glassunion
(10,201 posts)Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)gulliver
(13,168 posts)dembotoz
(16,784 posts)Glassunion
(10,201 posts)That's part of the problem with our current system today.
Gee... With a two party system of special interest funded elections, your only options at times are to vote for one of two assholes. Never confuse voting for the lesser of two evils as being good vote.
MotherPetrie
(3,145 posts)either.
steve2470
(37,457 posts)Not in favor of this, sorry. Other posters make good points too.
niyad
(113,021 posts)noamnety
(20,234 posts)How about if you're on government assistance of any sort, the costs for getting the ID you need for voting are waived? That way it's not a requirement to vote, but at least one of the obstacles is removed.
Yo_Mama
(8,303 posts)To be considered. You cannot force political speech like that.
Also, please consider the impact on the children of those thus punished. The children cannot vote, but you want to deprive their guardians of welfare benefits?
If it were not for my respect for the Constitution and for basic human rights, I'd propose that people who want to deprive other people (and their children) of welfare benefits because they did or said something that was not a crime but that displeased the speaker should automatically lose their SS benefits.