Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

To up voter turnout, give away $1 million
New York Daily News ^ | 11/01/06 | Michael Driscoll

Posted on 11/01/2006 2:29:43 PM PST by presidio9

What if on Election Day you could not only help the candidate of your choice - be it Eliot Spitzer, Jeanine Pirro or Hillary Clinton - win elected office, but win a cool million yourself? Well, on Nov. 7, voters in Arizona will be deciding whether their state should set up a lottery giving one lucky voter $1 million just for casting a ballot. New York needs some of the same fresh thinking. Our 2002 midterm election drew just 46% of eligible voters, putting us 39th in the nation in turnout. Meanwhile, 75% of state residents play the lottery every year.

Purists claim an Election Day lottery cheapens the political process - as though it could be cheapened further. They say it would encourage participation by uninformed voters. But since when does casting a ballot come with a quiz? Many of those set to cast ballots this year already couldn't pick Alan Hevesi out of a lineup.

Increasing turnout would pay big democratic dividends, ensuring that candidates have to campaign to a broad range of New Yorkers, and then consider voters' preferences when governing. That's well worth $1 million - and a little bit of gimmickry.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: electionlottery; stupiditytax; stupidliberalideas

1 posted on 11/01/2006 2:29:44 PM PST by presidio9
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: presidio9

How about if you show up to vote and you can't name the candidates in the major races you just get a swift kick in the ass and are sent home?


2 posted on 11/01/2006 2:31:37 PM PST by P-40 (Al Qaeda was working in Iraq. They were just undocumented.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: presidio9

But, but, but what will we do when the dead guy wins the money?


3 posted on 11/01/2006 2:31:45 PM PST by yevgenie (Q. What is the first sign of AIDS? A. A pounding sensation in the ass.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: P-40

LOL. How about we just kick all the jackasses and their supporters?


4 posted on 11/01/2006 2:32:22 PM PST by yevgenie (Q. What is the first sign of AIDS? A. A pounding sensation in the ass.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: presidio9

What an unbelievably stupid idea!

That's just what we need...to increase the number of people voting who no nothing about the candidates. They're just there to register for the "Grand Prize".


5 posted on 11/01/2006 2:33:10 PM PST by MarketR (Anyone else want to negotiate?" - Corbin Dallas)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: presidio9

This has to be one of the most idiotic ideas I have ever heard. Never mind my philosophical objections...Sweeten the pot with a million bucks and the voter fraud of today will look like child's play. Sheesh!


6 posted on 11/01/2006 2:33:10 PM PST by pollyannaish
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: yevgenie

Not suprisingly, the people who are clamoring for this in Arizona are all liberal activists, who know that people who vote Democrat are far more likely to play the lottery (AKA "stupidity tax).


7 posted on 11/01/2006 2:33:41 PM PST by presidio9 (Make Mohammed's day: Shoot a nun in the back.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: pollyannaish; MarketR; P-40
But since when does casting a ballot come with a quiz?

Sounds like Mark has uncoved the solution to the problem all on his own. Good boy Mark!

8 posted on 11/01/2006 2:37:38 PM PST by presidio9 (Make Mohammed's day: Shoot a nun in the back.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: MarketR

I say, let's pay people not to vote. You and I would decline and vote, but people who don't care about anything important( moderates ) would take the easy money....


9 posted on 11/01/2006 2:38:36 PM PST by gb63
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: P-40

How about you show a picture ID, pay a $5 fee to help cover the cost of administering the election, demonstrate the ability to read the English language, and then be restricted to only voting once during the election?

The dims probably wouldn't get 100 seats in Congress.

Instead, they'll sent out the million dollar lottery notice in Spanish as well as English, and provide free bus service, cigarettes and beer for anyone who will bother to vote for those who will keep the government checks coming in.


10 posted on 11/01/2006 2:43:00 PM PST by San Jacinto
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: San Jacinto

Man, Democrats will have multiple chances to win!


11 posted on 11/01/2006 2:48:48 PM PST by Rodm (Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: gb63
I say, let's pay people not to vote....

Damn, I wish I'd thought of that!

12 posted on 11/01/2006 2:48:49 PM PST by Grut
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: P-40
How about if you show up to vote and you can't name the candidates in the major races you just get a swift kick in the ass and are sent home?

It's got a catchy tune and you can dance to it. I like it!

13 posted on 11/01/2006 2:50:09 PM PST by Niteranger68 (Already voted absentee...straight Republican ticket...best choice on the menu.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: presidio9

At stake: Pick the wrong candidate and have to spend more in taxes.


14 posted on 11/01/2006 2:50:19 PM PST by P.O.E.
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: presidio9

Could be somebody who has been voting Socialist all these years who wins. Poetic!


15 posted on 11/01/2006 2:50:58 PM PST by RightWhale (RTRA)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: presidio9

I need:

"To cash my "guverment" check
and
A carton of GPCs (lights)
A 12 pack of Pabst
A pint of Evan Williams
A Bag of Pork Rinds
11 Lottery Tickets
3 Little Debbie's Oatmeal Cakes
A $32 Money Order"

"Oh...can I vote in that Milion Dollar thing while I'm here? Them Democrats are cool."

(btw...I'm an Ozarks' redneck that likes pork rinds)


16 posted on 11/01/2006 2:51:16 PM PST by rightinthemiddle (Without the Media, the Left and Islamofacists are Nothing.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Rodm

Or, Our winner this year is Mr Sanchez, an illegal, he hits the jackpot of one million dollars.


17 posted on 11/01/2006 2:51:55 PM PST by Rodm (Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: P-40
How about if you show up to vote and you can't name the candidates in the major races you just get a swift kick in the ass and are sent home?

THAT my friend is a great idea! The whole idea behind the "lottery" is to induce as many of the traditional democrat constituency as possible to the polls.
18 posted on 11/01/2006 4:18:14 PM PST by woodb01 (ANTI-DNC Web Portal at ---> http://www.noDNC.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: rightinthemiddle
"To cash my "guverment" check and
A carton of GPCs (lights)
A 12 pack of Pabst
A pint of Evan Williams
A Bag of Pork Rinds
11 Lottery Tickets
3 Little Debbie's Oatmeal Cakes
A $32 Money Order"


"Oh...can I vote in that Milion Dollar thing while I'm here? Them Democrats are cool."


Yep! Same strategy the Demo"n"s used in Minnesota a few years ago... CAUGHT giving packs of smokes to voters to vote democrat! CAUGHT giving packs of smokes to the homeless to vote democrat!
19 posted on 11/01/2006 4:20:25 PM PST by woodb01 (ANTI-DNC Web Portal at ---> http://www.noDNC.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: woodb01
to induce as many of the traditional democrat constituency as possible to the polls.

They are giving out free flu shots in minority communities when you vote down here. All in the name of health....of course.

http://www.news8austin.com/content/your_news/?SecID=278&ArID=173548
20 posted on 11/01/2006 5:01:16 PM PST by P-40 (Al Qaeda was working in Iraq. They were just undocumented.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson