Political Idea

So, I've got an idea for a slight change to the political system in America.

Anyone -- an individual, corporation, non-profit group, or employee of any of the above; if they receive direct cash or direct benefits from the government, including cash, vouchers, grants, tax incentives, etc; automatically loses the right to vote. After all, anyone who receives anything directly from government has a vested interest in taking more, so they should not be able to vote.

Do you think anyone would be left in the country that would be eligible to vote?

Posted by: Ogre at 02:02 PM

Comments

1 Good idea. But there's only one problem.

Those who possess the greatest power to address a societal problem are almost always the same group of people who have the most to lose by actually addressing the problem. Government beneficiaries are an important voting block.

This rule can be applied to almost any problem that lasts any significant length of time. Problems that don't adhere to this rule tend to be solved very quickly.

Posted by: Weapon of Mass Disturbance at December 19, 2006 02:49 PM (j4p/t)

2 Well, they're an important voting block if you believe government should solve problems. I don't.

Posted by: Ogre at December 19, 2006 03:08 PM (oifEm)

3 There are few if any that don't fall into this category. I get a deduction cause I've got a kid or school loans - does that count?

Posted by: oddybobo at December 19, 2006 03:24 PM (mZfwW)

4 In my plan, that would be your option (I like freedom). If you choose to take the deduction, you give up your vote. If you want to vote, don't take the deduction.

And don't worry, if this were the case, taxes would drop like a rock because the scummy politicians couldn't buy ANY votes with taxpayer cash!

Posted by: Ogre at December 19, 2006 03:28 PM (oifEm)

5 I have been receiving grants for education, as well as (of course) my tax refund every year, so does that count?

Posted by: Smokey at December 19, 2006 04:50 PM (xBtls)

6 Tax refund doesn't count, as that's an overpayment on your part, not a government expenditure.

The education grant? Yup, you're out.

Posted by: Ogre at December 19, 2006 04:55 PM (oifEm)

7 The school loan thing would depend on the loan really. Because I received student "loans" during school but I had to pay them back, and yes I did pay them back 100% plus interest.

But I would be excluded because I receive unemployment payments ... but does it really count if you are receiving payments from something you paid into all your life?

Posted by: Quality Weenie at December 19, 2006 05:38 PM (BksWB)

8 Loans are different. They would not cause you to lost your voting rights. Grants would. Unemployment payments? If that system were entirely privatized so that the government wasn't getting cash from it, that would be okay. As it stands, the government pays out that cash, so you'd have a very, very strong incentive to vote for politicians who could buy your vote with more cash, so I'd have to say no on that one.

(Hey, it's my dream!)

Posted by: Ogre at December 19, 2006 06:07 PM (oifEm)

9 Ya, that $322 dollars I am getting a week on unemployment is going to keep me voting for the jackasses that are "giving" me that huge amount of money ... man I may never go back to work

Posted by: Quality Weenie at December 19, 2006 09:37 PM (BksWB)

10 Luxury.

We used to have to get out of the lake at six o'clock in the morning, clean the lake, eat a handful of 'ot gravel, work twenty hour day at mill for tuppence a month, come home, and Dad would thrash us to sleep with a broken bottle, if we were lucky!

Posted by: Ogre at December 19, 2006 10:02 PM (3KZT9)

11 BWAHAHAH!! I like your idea Ogre.

Posted by: Raven at December 19, 2006 11:30 PM (E4QRU)

12 Heck, I'd settle for non-property owners not getting a vote, but I still like this idea better. Anyone oppose it?

Posted by: Ogre at December 20, 2006 12:11 AM (/kUV8)

13 In Robert Heinlein's book: Starship Troopers (not the horrible movie), only veterans could vote or serve in public office.

What do you think of that idea?

Posted by: Weapon of Mass Disturbance at December 20, 2006 02:45 PM (0eOeQ)

14 There's certainly some merit in that option, too. Maybe veterans who aren't on government aid. Damn, if that were the case, I think about 100 people would get to elect the next president -- but I bet it would be a damn good choice!!!

Posted by: Ogre at December 20, 2006 03:14 PM (oifEm)






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