FROGTOWN DIVA

Divas Don't Hop, But We're Hip!

FrogTown Diva

FrogTown Diva
Location
Toledo, Ohio, USA
Birthday
September 23
Bio
Observations From the Swamp Many folks think we live in the nether regions of the earth here in Toledo, Ohio. However, Toledo is the birthplace of jazz great, Art Tatum, not to mention many other distinguished and accomplished AfrAms (African-Americans) who often remain unheralded and unrecognized in their home town. This swamp is a petrie dish swarming with undiscovered talent that the world may never know because there are too many slimey creatures down here in the swamp pulling down anyone who tries to climb out and come out into the warmth of the sun. This diva climbed into the swamp with one purpose - to rid the world of slime!

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OCTOBER 30, 2010 8:13AM

No penalty for not participating in election process

Rate: 7 Flag

Voting is not only a right, but a responsibity, like getting a driving license.  Ever wonder why you get penalized by the law for not having a license but not for failing to vote? Millions of Americans don't vote and no one seems to care. But if those same people didn't get their driver's license and automobile insurance, didn't have a birth certificate or social security card, or didn't file a tax return, they'd get in all kinds of trouble. There are legal ramifications for not having a frigging dog license, but none for not being a responsible citizen and assisting in the election of public officials. Ever get the feeling that your vote isn't wanted? Shouldn't that be all the more reason to cast it?

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us election system, rights and responsibilities, citizenship, voting

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Absolutely! And yet, woe be unto a people that doesn't care enuf to do it with fear of a slap on the wrist. If there's fear involved - and these sure as hell is at the moment - it should be of what will happen if the dingbats get control of Congress. (meaning those more dingbatty than the ones already in power)
Matt Paust
October 30, 2010 10:14 AM
Exactly.. well said my friend from your friend who misses you..
HUGGGGGGGGGGGGG
Linda Seccaspina
October 30, 2010 10:34 AM
I like the idea of MAKING people vote, Diva! But that does seem a bit extreme. The more divided this country gets the more people are throwing up their hands and staying out of it. Plus have you seen the ballot? I wrote a blog about how complex the darn thing is. I get a permanent mail in ballot and that is a great way to vote. You can take your time. Maybe everyone could just get one mailed to their home. My friend in Switzerland says that is how they vote. She said they are always getting little voting memos in the mail to ask what everyone thinks.
zanelle
October 30, 2010 11:01 AM
Absolutely right. I wish voting were required of all citizens. Actually, I'd like to see tests required for running for public office and for voting. The latter would be a bit more simple: you'd just have to know basic things like the names of the current Pres and VP (might throw in Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense), branches of government, three of the first fourteen amendments, etc. You could choose not to take the test and not vote but then you'd lose your diver's license. Yeah, that's the ticket!
Nikki Stern
October 30, 2010 12:07 PM
Miss you, too, Linda! Zanelle, Nikki, love the way you thunk!
FrogTown Diva
October 30, 2010 12:41 PM
Of course we must vote. But a penalty for not voting is the wrong but if you don't do your civic duty don't complain!
Patrick Frank
October 30, 2010 01:49 PM
You're right, of course. I'm just so tired of people absconding from their civic duty. Maybe when we lose the right to vote in the not-so-distant future they'll appreciate the significance of this precious right.
FrogTown Diva
October 30, 2010 02:23 PM
to be effective any penalty would have to involve a monetary cost. There is already a huge penalty for not voting, the people who end up elected.
bobbot
October 30, 2010 03:35 PM
So true, bobbot. Those who don't vote usually don't care who's in office.
FrogTown Diva
October 30, 2010 03:46 PM
I have to disagree...

The penalty of not voting is the same as the reward for voting, especially once you dispense with the "Every Vote Counts" myth. The main reason I refuse to vote is very pedestrian; I never get stuck with jury duty.
chefbobcat
October 30, 2010 04:28 PM
Good point. Somehow I've managed to avoid jury duty without giving up my voting rights. Guess I'm just lucky.
FrogTown Diva
October 30, 2010 04:47 PM