Is not voting a valid way to express your political position?

[Dan74]

Aw boohoo, your representative democracy turned on you? There's a surprise.

[gharik]

Citizens United, the Supreme Court case that essentially called corporations "people" for purposes of campaign contributions, came from the Republican/Bush appointed majority. Those progressives who sat out the 2000 election indirectly put a stake in the heart of any future political money reform and, by extension, any hope for a viable third party movement. Non-voters' non-participation increased, not decreased, the power of the 1% that they rail against.

Go ahead, sit out another one. That is your "valid" right, as is mine to label such irresponsible behavior something akin to stupidity.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Comm'n - 08-205 (2010) :: Justia US Supreme Court Center

But isn't that a good result?

...oh, wait, you were smuggling the 'Citizens United is evil' premise.




Erm, do you just get to make claims without supporting them here? Is that the standard?

[Yarn]

But isn't that a good result?

...oh, wait, you were smuggling the 'Citizens United is evil' premise.




Erm, do you just get to make claims without supporting them here? Is that the standard?

Money corrupting politics is a bad thing. Isn't that virtually axiomatic?

[LetThereBe]

Citizens United, the Supreme Court case that essentially called corporations "people" for purposes of campaign contributions, came from the Republican/Bush appointed majority. Those progressives who sat out the 2000 election indirectly put a stake in the heart of any future political money reform and, by extension, any hope for a viable third party movement. Non-voters' non-participation increased, not decreased, the power of the 1% that they rail against.

Go ahead, sit out another one. That is your "valid" right, as is mine to label such irresponsible behavior something akin to stupidity.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Comm'n - 08-205 (2010) :: Justia US Supreme Court Center

Given that I feel corporations should have the right to spend their money as they see fit, I don't see a problem here.
If more people sat out elections, would it matter that corporations are allowed to help finance elections?

Make votes weighted based on a simple knowledge test taken during registration. Solves both problems.

[Yarn]

Given that I feel corporations should have the right to spend their money as they see fit, I don't see a problem here.
If more people sat out elections, would it matter that corporations are allowed to help finance elections?

Make votes weighted based on a simple knowledge test taken during registration. Solves both problems.

"Attention Citizens!!!! Obama wants to eat your braaaaaiiiins!

Note: Obama and his evil communist stormtroopers will put a question on the test that asks whether Obama wants to eat your brains. Answer that he doesn't, even though we all know he does, that way you can vote to foil his nefarious plans.

Till later Citizens! And remember to wear a helmet at all times or else Obama will eat your braaaaaiiinnns!!!
-Yours sincerely, rich as fuck motherfuckers inc"

...Anyways, random outbrust aside, what would you put on this test?

[LetThereBe]

"Attention Citizens!!!! Obama wants to eat your braaaaaiiiins!

Note: Obama and his evil communist stormtroopers will put a question on the test that asks whether Obama wants to eat your brains. Answer that he doesn't, even though we all know he does, that way you can vote to foil his nefarious plans.

Till later Citizens! And remember to wear a helmet at all times or else Obama will eat your braaaaaiiinnns!!!
-Yours sincerely, rich as fuck motherfuckers inc"

...Anyways, random outbrust aside, what would you put on this test?

Mostly questions about the candidate's stated platform.
Yes, it may be a bit tricky to get a neutral party to write the questions such that there was no bias introduced, but it would be far better than relying on citizens to be educated by political ads (or receiving no political education at all before voting).