[chilepepper]

Stone is stating the bedrock of the republican (small r) form of government, and that which distinguishes the USA from other countries (like Chile), where voting is MANDATORY.

think about it for a minute... forced voting means that the ignorant un-informed masses will vote for whoever had the most impressive advertising blitz, guaranteeing the election of the most populist and effective liar.

not voting is itself a choice, and IMHO, a quite honorable one.

[buccaneer81]

where voting is MANDATORY.

Australia as well. Thank God they made the right choice.