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To: RKBA Democrat
With that said, I do think that Australia is more autocratic as compared to the US.

Some parts of Australia are. You mention Victoria - yes, autocracy is possible here (although we've just in the last week defeated law changes that would have that problem much worse, and hopefully that's a sign we're turning the tide on that).

But what was done in Victoria couldn't be done in most states, at least not to the same extent.

Australian gun laws - yeah, there's problems there. But there seem to be US states that have stronger gun restrictions than we actually do, from what I can see.

And I totally agree with you on compulsory voting. I hate it. But it tends to favour the major parties, and especially the left wing major parties, so I can't see them getting rid of it at this point.

It is almost impossible to get incarcerated for not voting now. It's a small fine. Still wrong.

36 posted on 12/01/2021 4:29:04 PM PST by naturalman1975 ("America was under attack. Australia was immediately there to help." - John Winston Howard)
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To: naturalman1975

Y’know the thing that strikes me most about anglo western countries as opposed to the US isn’t so much the laws, its the viewpoint towards obedience. Americans frequently refuse to follow rules that strike them as stupid. The COVID stuff is an excellent example. There is a federal mandate to wear masks on buses. Depending on where youre at, people somewhat obey or don’t obey at all. I’m in an area that doesn’t obey at all. And no one says a word. Same thing with marijuana. Marijuana is illegal under federal law. Yet most of our states allow it for medical purposes and a large minority allow it for recreational purposes. In spite of federal law.

There is an American classic book that I think captures the underlying viewpoint. On Civil Disobedience by Henry Thoreau.

As for gun laws, a handgun or long arm can be purchased in all states. Its a pain in some of the very blue areas, but doable. In the very red states it is possible to purchase a firearm (private sale) or build one with no paperwork and carry it pretty much anywhere you want without any license. And its perfectly legal.

As for voting, there is no state where it’s compulsory. Some states automatically register people to vote (enrollment), but even those offer an opt out. I’m glad that Australia is mostly avoiding jail for noncompliance. They should still offer an opt out for conscientious objectors.


71 posted on 12/01/2021 6:23:10 PM PST by RKBA Democrat (Culture, culture, culture. Not partisan politics. )
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