3 ms·

Re: voting, it's not a "right" if it's compulsory. It's an obligation.

• gonzo41 5y ago
  it's a pretty low impost obligation. But I'd refer to it as a minor duty to the community.
  • swader999 5y ago
    Not voting though is a form of protest in many cases. I suppose though even if it is compulsory you could show up and spoil your ballot. I'd be fine with that.
    • gonzo41 5y ago
      Many do just that.
• strken 5y ago
  What's the practical meaningful difference between exercising your right to not vote, vs fulfilling your obligation to vote by showing up to the polling place and drawing dicks on the ballot paper? Pretend you're an Australian and have a long tradition of fining people minor sums of money for not showing up. Why would you change to non-compulsory voting?
  • partomniscient 5y ago
    Your scenario also needs to account for free sausage sandwiches. [1] [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_sausage https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_sausage
• otikik 5y ago
  It's easy to forget that every right comes with obligation. Say you have the right to own property. That comes with the obligation to respect other people's property. And so on. When a right comes obligations it isn't a right. It's a privilege. That's the stuff kings used to have (and still have, in some places).
• throwaheyy 5y ago
  Technically, you have the right not to vote in Australia, but you must still show up and collect a ballot paper. You can leave it blank, or scribble anything on it.