How do you vote on an issue?

[DrumsofWar]

After the big 2010 election came and gone with the usual forgotten fanfare, everyone's gone back to pretty much not giving a shit about politics until next year or even 2012. I'm personally a proponent of direct democracy, an idea where the people themselves vote to propose and approve federal-level legislation through ballot initiatives.

For those outside the US, it's been a slowly growing idea (on the state level at least) to circumvent often corrupt or eternally re-elected state legislators in order to push through measures on current issues. Usually, these have been things like immigration, term limits, gay marriage, abortion, and budget cuts.

There's lots of arguments for and against the use of the measures, namely that of majority mob rule and people being convinced by overspending on commercials. So this poll is just to ask how you would vote on an issue that you cared about, let's say a law to ban video game sales. (This is already taking place to some degree over in Germany and Greece, for example.)

Note: Yes, this is for research on a book I'm working on.

[IskatuMesk]

I don't vote because I know it's wholly and utterly pointless what I think.

And I think this country (Canada) is a shithole whose only benefits (no copyright control at all) are derived of the Government not giving a shit about anyone but themselves.

If I really wanted to make a statement I would just assassinate whoever I didn't like.

[DrumsofWar]

I don't vote because I know it's wholly and utterly pointless what I think.

And I think this country (Canada) is a shithole whose only benefits (no copyright control at all) are derived of the Government not giving a shit about anyone but themselves.

If I really wanted to make a statement I would just assassinate whoever I didn't like.

Uh, I was talking about a ballot measure or referendum, not people.

[IskatuMesk]

you have officially genuinely confused me but I stand by my statement

[GreatGodSajuuk]

Oh you mean referendums, like when Lithuania wanted to join the EU, there was a referendum for it. Basically a large amount of the population has to vote for or against and the end result is basically the decision that will be made.

[IskatuMesk]

oh

Well, we don't have those here in Canada. In fact, this is the first time I've ever heard of such a concept. Maybe it would be brilliant if people weren't by nature lethargic.

[wibod]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_referendum

[Dread]

oh

Well, we don't have those here in Canada. In fact, this is the first time I've ever heard of such a concept. Maybe it would be brilliant if people weren't by nature lethargic.

Referendums In Canada

I tend to become as informed as I can before balloting a vote. I'm objective and critical about discussing it with other people. I tend not to bring it up with friends, most of whom fall in to the bottom section of the poll. If it comes up, I'll remain impartial and deliver the facts. We can discuss political interpretations and involvements, and if I'm pressed I'll reveal which side of the ballot I'm for, but well, it's not personal.


Oh, and news/ media coverage can be entertaining, but it's kind of a disappointment how bias most outlets are in North America now. It's best to dig up the details, and be your own learned political correspondent.

[DrumsofWar]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_referendum

It'd be interesting if the entire country had voted on the referendum instead of just Quebec.

Edit: Fixed.

[IskatuMesk]

The first two referendums saw voters in Québec and the rest of Canada take dramatically opposing stands, the third saw most of the voters take a stand dramatically opposed to that of the politicians in power.

How doesn't this surprise me at all?

[Alevice]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_referendum

It'd be interesting if the entire country had voted on the referendum instead of just Quebec.

Edit: Fixed.

Heh, I think Canadians would be pleased to get rid of quebecoirs.