tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2299704560313550384.post4883323675851620959..comments2018-10-15T21:52:58.421+01:00Comments on The Gin Tasted Like Teen Rebellion: VOTEVOTEVOTE.Charlotte Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14840369664392288796noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2299704560313550384.post-47900030052060277192010-03-23T21:54:37.382+00:002010-03-23T21:54:37.382+00:00I don’t propose to repeat myself, so all I’ll add ...I don’t propose to repeat myself, so all I’ll add is this. I’ve watched the slow strangulation of democracy over the last several decades. It’s almost dead now. The years of reform from a mixed economy to an almost wholly free market one under Thatcher and Blair have brought us to what is effectively a one party state. The policy differences you refer to are trivial compared with the ideological differences that used to exist. They’re just window dressing to keep the illusion alive. Compulsory voting is a horrible idea. I don’t give a toss whether the Australians like it or not. It’s unacceptably authoritarian and denies the very basis of the democratic principle. It reeks of totalitarianism. Until people wake up and refuse to vote in general elections, things will only get worse. I think those who ‘fought and died’ for democracy would be sad to see how their victories have been subverted. The best way to support them now is to follow their lead and engage in a latter-day form of civil disobedience – by not voting for any of the three major parties. None of them are worth voting for any longer. If you must vote, vote Green or something.JJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16069822009799120415noreply@blogger.com