Short Story by Isaac Asimov: Franchise
Plot Summary:
In the future, the United States has converted to an "electronic democracy" where the computer Multivac selects a single person to answer a number of questions. Multivac will then use the answers and other data to determine what the results of an election would be, avoiding the need for an actual election to be held.The story centers around Norman Muller, the man chosen as "Voter of the Year" in 2008. Although the law requires him to accept the dubious honour, he is not sure that he wants the responsibility of representing the entire electorate, worrying that the result will be unfavorable and he will be blamed.
However, after 'voting', he is very proud that the citizens of the United States had, through him, "exercised once again their free, untrammeled franchise" - a statement that is somewhat ironic as the citizens didn't actually get to vote.
-PJ
Science fiction was so much more than just spaceships and death rays. As a genre, it contained the most insight into the human condition and human nature.
I recall a story, believed to be by Philip K. Dick, where a guy landed on a planet where a prosperous segment of society lived in extravagence, spending without limit. Their debts were deferred to the 7th generation of offspring. Outside their gleaming city lived huddled masses in squalor. They were the 7th generation, described as “deadbeats unwilling to pay off their lawful debts.”
Sounds kind of familiar...
Which, strangely, is what a certain contemporary Christian site does. They say they want to hear from you, but then you get a totally inappropriate, mass-produced reply. Like when you write to your congresscritter.
Point being, life does not imitate art, it imitates science fiction.