Vote - Win a million.

Toshira · Post by **Toshira** » July 18, 2006, 12:23 pm

(AP) An Arizona political activist is placing his bets that a proposal to pay one lucky voter $1 million will drive people to the polls.

Dr. Mark Osterloh, an ophthalmologist who has run unsuccessfully for governor and the Legislature, filed paperwork Monday to put the idea before state voters on the 2006 ballot.

"Who do you know that doesn't want to be a millionaire? What's the worst thing that could happen? Everybody who's eligible to vote could be voting," he said.

Osterloh and other supporters said they gathered 185,903 signatures of registered voters, well over the 122,612 required for a ballot initiative. Elections officials will check the signatures to see whether enough are valid to qualify the measure for the ballot.

Under the plan, the $1 million awarded to one randomly selected voter after each election would come from unclaimed Arizona Lottery prize money. A voter could get one entry in the drawing for voting in the primary and another for the general election.

An Arizona State University faculty member who specializes in voting topics was concerned about the proposal. The $1 million reward is a "gimmick" that could cause some people to vote without giving sufficient thought to how they're voting, said Kelly McDonald, an assistant professor of political communications.

"I'm not sure I want people who are voting just because they have a 1 in 12 million chance of winning," McDonald said.

Secretary of State Jan Brewer, a Republican who is the state's top elections official, declined to comment, citing her office's role in helping determine whether the measure qualifies for the ballot. Spokesman Garrick Taylor said the state Republican Party had no comment, while spokesman Matt Weisman said Democratic Party officials were reviewing it and hadn't taken a position.

The official canvass from the 2004 general election in Arizona indicated that 77 percent of registered voters cast ballots. The more than 2.6 million residents registered to vote as of March 1 represent 60 percent of the estimated 4.4 million Arizonans age 18 or older in 2005, though the voting-age population includes immigrants and felons not eligible to vote.

Osterloh, who has played prominent roles in successful initiative campaigns on health care and public campaign financing, said he has contributed more than $200,000 toward the petition effort.

"We want to make sure that we get everybody voting so we get truly representative government," he said. "If people don't vote, they don't get represented."

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I love this country, don't burn my flag but, pay me to vote. Dig it.

I always thought something along the reverse of this would be better. Link voting to the ability to get a driver's license, student aid, business loans, social security benefits, etc., etc.

Post by **Sylvus** » July 18, 2006, 12:39 pm

I don't think it's a bad idea. I know that for a long time I never voted because I just didn't care enough, and that only changed when I saw a president who was hurting our country. If an entry into a lottery is enough to spur a few apathetic people to vote, it's worth it in my opinion.

Animalor · Post by **Animalor** » July 18, 2006, 12:57 pm

I think that's a bad idea because it doesn't get people interested in the process or who is out to represent them, just interest in getting the ballot in to be eligible for the cash.

Midnyte_Ragebringer · Post by **Midnyte_Ragebringer** » July 18, 2006, 1:41 pm

It's common behavioral technique. People will learn throughout about the process by goign throughout it for the awful means of greed. Some will even find they care enough about it to continue without an incentive.

cadalano · Post by **cadalano** » July 18, 2006, 1:55 pm

throughout about the process by goign throughout it

arent you trying to sound smart?

Midnyte_Ragebringer · Post by **Midnyte_Ragebringer** » July 18, 2006, 2:07 pm

cadalano wrote:
throughout about the process by goign throughout it
arent you trying to sound smart?

Nope, I was on the phone with a customer. My deepest apologies.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » July 18, 2006, 2:31 pm

I'm there! Big Winner! Gotta go to the polls wearing a Kevlar helmet and vest though with the serial sniper still on the loose!

Drolgin Steingrinder · Post by **Drolgin Steingrinder** » July 18, 2006, 2:56 pm

That's just about the stupidest idea I've ever heard. I'd be more in favor of a suggestion that penalized people for not giving a fuck rather than making the electoral system even more of a crapshoot.

Voting is your civic duty. Don't give a fuck and don't care to vote? Fine, just don't ever open your mouth to bitch about anything ever again. Inticements other than involvement in the process and the chance to influence policy will do nothing but increase the lethargy.

Kaldaur · Post by **Kaldaur** » July 18, 2006, 3:14 pm

I believe in Italy, you go to jail if you don't vote. They have a 95% turnout. I didn't research this, heard about it on a radio show once, so I'm not sure of the accuracy of this claim, but if it's true, that seems to be a good method to go about things.

cadalano · Post by **cadalano** » July 18, 2006, 3:37 pm

decoder rings in every ballot?

theres plenty of uneducated votes going into the ballot boxes as it is. gimmicks, whether they are rewards or punishments, will only make the problem worse

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » July 18, 2006, 4:13 pm

Kaldaur wrote:I believe in Italy, you go to jail if you don't vote. They have a 95% turnout. I didn't research this, heard about it on a radio show once, so I'm not sure of the accuracy of this claim, but if it's true, that seems to be a good method to go about things.

mandatory voting is even worse than incentive voting. people will go and just check any box or spoil their ballot just because they have to.

Midnyte_Ragebringer · Post by **Midnyte_Ragebringer** » July 18, 2006, 4:43 pm

Yet again you people lack any long term vision. It's not always about things mgith be today, but how todays actions might shape tomorrow.

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » July 18, 2006, 4:51 pm

jesus you are just dumb.

Skogen · Post by **Skogen** » July 18, 2006, 5:11 pm

kyoukan wrote:
Kaldaur wrote:I believe in Italy, you go to jail if you don't vote. They have a 95% turnout. I didn't research this, heard about it on a radio show once, so I'm not sure of the accuracy of this claim, but if it's true, that seems to be a good method to go about things.
mandatory voting is even worse than incentive voting. people will go and just check any box or spoil their ballot just because they have to.

or just simply vote for anyone they've heard of. "Yeah, I saw this guy on TV..he seemed pretty smart!" check!

Just ridiculous.

masteen · Post by **masteen** » July 18, 2006, 5:14 pm

Neocons probably hate this idea, because it would destroy their stranglehold on uninformed voters who just mechanically check "Republican" down the line.

redeemed · Post by **redeemed** » July 18, 2006, 5:25 pm

Skogen wrote:or just simply vote for anyone they've heard of. "Yeah, I saw this guy on TV..he seemed pretty smart!" check!

Just ridiculous.

what? are you clowning my method of voting sir?

Animalor · Post by **Animalor** » July 18, 2006, 5:25 pm

"If you vote for us, we promise to increase the voting jackpot to 10 million dollars for the next election!"

Dregor Thule · Post by **Dregor Thule** » July 18, 2006, 6:17 pm

Voting is a right, not a command. Anything that penalized you beyond some assfuck politician winning and you regretting not going and voting for the other guy is ridiculous. Incentives to vote on the other hand aren't so bad, but hardly perfect.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » July 18, 2006, 7:30 pm

Pretty soon you'll have the democrats trying to lobby for free fried chicken and watermelon at the voting booths.

Midnyte_Ragebringer · Post by **Midnyte_Ragebringer** » July 18, 2006, 7:34 pm

Winnow wrote:Pretty soon you'll have the democrats trying to lobby for free fried chicken and watermelon at the voting booths.

That might get me back to the voting booth.

Midnyte_Ragebringer · Post by **Midnyte_Ragebringer** » July 18, 2006, 7:35 pm

masteen wrote:Neocons probably hate this idea, because it would destroy their stranglehold on uninformed voters who just mechanically check "Republican" down the line.

Holy fuck dude. When are some of you going to grow up? There are just as many fuckwads who choose Dem on the ticket down the line. Fucking blind retard.

Dregor Thule · Post by **Dregor Thule** » July 18, 2006, 8:27 pm

Midnyte_Ragebringer wrote:
masteen wrote:Neocons probably hate this idea, because it would destroy their stranglehold on uninformed voters who just mechanically check "Republican" down the line.
Holy fuck dude. When are some of you going to grow up? There are just as many fuckwads who choose Dem on the ticket down the line. Fucking blind retard.

Before (ok, let's be realistic, long after) you spit out some kneejerk reaction to an obviously baited comment, stop and think about the meat of the message. Republicans are more organized than democrats when it comes to getting people to the voting booths. Are you going to argue that? That's what he was saying, just laced with a tinge of contempt.

Midnyte_Ragebringer · Post by **Midnyte_Ragebringer** » July 18, 2006, 9:07 pm

Dregor Thule wrote:
Midnyte_Ragebringer wrote:
masteen wrote:Neocons probably hate this idea, because it would destroy their stranglehold on uninformed voters who just mechanically check "Republican" down the line.
Holy fuck dude. When are some of you going to grow up? There are just as many fuckwads who choose Dem on the ticket down the line. Fucking blind retard.
Before (ok, let's be realistic, long after) you spit out some kneejerk reaction to an obviously baited comment, stop and think about the meat of the message. Republicans are more organized than democrats when it comes to getting people to the voting booths. Are you going to argue that? That's what he was saying, just laced with a tinge of contempt.

Yes, I will argue that all day long. How many decades has the "We are the platform for the blue collar worker"...."Don't let them take your Medicare away!"......"Don't let them take away your Social Security!"..."Perscription drugs!"..."We are the party for the blacks!"........ been working?

You and I may know that saying something doesn't make it so, but to many people it does. So, yes, the Dems are just as good.

Post by **Sylvus** » July 18, 2006, 11:38 pm

Midnyte_Ragebringer wrote:Yes, I will argue that all day long. How many decades has the "We are the platform for the blue collar worker"...."Don't let them take your Medicare away!"......"Don't let them take away your Social Security!"..."Perscription drugs!"..."We are the party for the blacks!"........ been working?

Erm, have you looked who is actually in government lately? I think they "They hate Jesus. We're with Jesus" offense is working better than what the Democrats have been attempting.

But seriously though, aren't most of those things you mention true? There's an old proverb that says, and I'm paraphrasing, "George Bush doesn't care about black people".

Midnyte_Ragebringer · Post by **Midnyte_Ragebringer** » July 19, 2006, 1:38 am

Sylvus wrote:
Midnyte_Ragebringer wrote:Yes, I will argue that all day long. How many decades has the "We are the platform for the blue collar worker"...."Don't let them take your Medicare away!"......"Don't let them take away your Social Security!"..."Perscription drugs!"..."We are the party for the blacks!"........ been working?
Erm, have you looked who is actually in government lately? I think they "They hate Jesus. We're with Jesus" offense is working better than what the Democrats have been attempting.

But seriously though, aren't most of those things you mention true? There's an old proverb that says, and I'm paraphrasing, "George Bush doesn't care about black people".

Last time I checked, the country was pretty much divided 48 / 52. Id say both parties brainwashing schemes are doing just fine. Both of them are rich beyond their wildest dreams. Both are rich with power too fueled by both sides thinking they care about the things they advertise they care about.

I expect more from you than the ole race card. It gets so old man.

Zaelath · Post by **Zaelath** » July 19, 2006, 1:50 am

Sylvus wrote:
Midnyte_Ragebringer wrote:Yes, I will argue that all day long. How many decades has the "We are the platform for the blue collar worker"...."Don't let them take your Medicare away!"......"Don't let them take away your Social Security!"..."Perscription drugs!"..."We are the party for the blacks!"........ been working?
Erm, have you looked who is actually in government lately? I think they "They hate Jesus. We're with Jesus" offense is working better than what the Democrats have been attempting.

But seriously though, aren't most of those things you mention true? There's an old proverb that says, and I'm paraphrasing, "George Bush doesn't care about black people".

No, that goes, "George Bush doesn't ... you can't care about.... ummm.. George Bush cares about... hmrmm. You can't care about black people!"

Zaelath · Post by **Zaelath** » July 19, 2006, 1:52 am

Midnyte_Ragebringer wrote:
Sylvus wrote:
Midnyte_Ragebringer wrote:Yes, I will argue that all day long. How many decades has the "We are the platform for the blue collar worker"...."Don't let them take your Medicare away!"......"Don't let them take away your Social Security!"..."Perscription drugs!"..."We are the party for the blacks!"........ been working?
Erm, have you looked who is actually in government lately? I think they "They hate Jesus. We're with Jesus" offense is working better than what the Democrats have been attempting.

But seriously though, aren't most of those things you mention true? There's an old proverb that says, and I'm paraphrasing, "George Bush doesn't care about black people".
Last time I checked, the country was pretty much divided 48 / 52. Id say both parties brainwashing schemes are doing just fine. Both of them are rich beyond their wildest dreams. Both are rich with power too fueled by both sides thinking they care about the things they advertise they care about.

I expect more from you than the ole race card. It gets so old man.

Not as old as right-wing, bible-thumping, cousin-fucking, old-school rednecks trying to claim they're moderates who see "the big picture".

Deward · Post by **Deward** » July 19, 2006, 10:28 am

At first I was thinking this might be an ok idea but the more I think about it the stupider it gets. Sure it will get people to vote and it MIGHT educate a few people but the majority will be uninformed voters who will vote for whichever politician has the most face time on TV.

If we want people to vote then we need to come up with serious campaign finance reform that will allow the third party a chance at winning an election. People don't vote because they are sick and tired of the crap that is presented to us now in deomcrats and republicans. Instead of voting for the lesser of two evils, people just don't vote. I honestly can't blame them but I wish they would at least get out and vote for a third party candidate where available.

Post by **Sylvus** » July 19, 2006, 11:10 am

Midnyte_Ragebringer wrote:I expect more from you than the ole race card. It gets so old man.

Uhh... you're the one who brought up the race card? Or do you not remember saying "fuckwads who choose Dem on the ticket down the line" and then "[Dems] are the party for blacks!" I merely said that that was a true statement, and then made a joke to support it. My apologies if it was over your head.

Your message seems to imply that the democrats say that they are the party for black people. I was trying to point out that they are the party for black people, or that the statement was "true." At least when the two choices are democrat or repbulican.

According to this website, of all the African, Hispanic (Latino), and Asian American members of Congress, approximately 92% of them are Democrat and 8% are Republican. Did they get there because the ~~fuckwads~~ minorities just vote Democrat down the line, or because their platforms fit better with the issues that concern the ~~fuckwads~~ minorities? Like not drowning in a post-hurricane flood, for examle (to stick with the current theme, as much of as a joke as it was). I'm not saying it was an act of outright malice that mishandled the Katrina situation, but I do think it would have been handled a little differently if the constituents of the ruling party were the ones facing the greatest danger.

Zaelath · Post by **Zaelath** » July 19, 2006, 11:22 am

Deward wrote:At first I was thinking this might be an ok idea but the more I think about it the stupider it gets. Sure it will get people to vote and it MIGHT educate a few people but the majority will be uninformed voters who will vote for whichever politician has the most face time on TV.

If we want people to vote then we need to come up with serious campaign finance reform that will allow the third party a chance at winning an election. People don't vote because they are sick and tired of the crap that is presented to us now in deomcrats and republicans. Instead of voting for the lesser of two evils, people just don't vote. I honestly can't blame them but I wish they would at least get out and vote for a third party candidate where available.

Any third party candidate at all? Say Lord Bottomplumber-Kniblick III of the Raving Loony Party, if he's the only one running? (hell, a lot of elections aren't even contested by both Dems and Reps).

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » July 19, 2006, 1:30 pm

There are plenty of good third party candidates running for office. They don't get any attention though because the two parties have a stranglehold on the system and actually work together to squeeze out anyone else. Rules also exist that make it nearly impossible for anyone to get any face time, or involved in any real publicized debates. People don't go out vote for them even if they agree with them because they know it is a waste of their time to even bother.

The only successful 3rd party I can think of is Jesse Ventura, and he was already a celebrity, albeit a minor one. He was victim of the democrats and republicans ganging up on him his entire term and he left office in disgust. Other than that I think there is like on independant in congress. No one even bothers to listen to him because he doesn't have a party line to toe.

Metanis · Post by **Metanis** » July 19, 2006, 5:26 pm

I think we need to go back to the concept of Poll Taxes. If you can't produce proof that you've paid some significant amount in taxes then you don't vote (or you pay on the spot).

Probably $1,000 would be a good amount to trigger voting rights if it represented actual net taxes paid and not just withheld. Property taxes could substitute as well.

So if you're young, poor, or dumb... you don't get a say in the direction of the society. The theory would be that non-contributing members of society shouldn't be allowed to vote themselves the fruits of someone else's labor.

It's so deliciously 18th century too.

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » July 19, 2006, 5:37 pm

Metanis wrote:So if you're young, poor, or dumb... you don't get a say in the direction of the society.

I take it you have no interest in voting? What about the rest of your poor and dumb family?

Sionistic · Post by **Sionistic** » July 19, 2006, 5:45 pm

Yeah, lets not let the poor vote. I'm sure that will blow over REALLY well.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » July 19, 2006, 5:51 pm

Poll Taxes are so illegal that some states cannot even force a person to show a state-issued photo ID when they vote.

Deward · Post by **Deward** » July 20, 2006, 10:54 am

There are a lot of good thrid party candidates who are screwed by the system. Here in WI we had Ed Thompson run for governor and he got something like 12-15%. He would have gotten more but the news media refused to allow him into the debates and the other politicians refused to debate him. After the election polls said that 52% of people would have voted for him if they thought he could win. He mortgaged himself out the ass to raise about $200k for his campaign. His competitors had $10-15 million each.

So yea if I had to choose between Major Party crook or third party wacko, I would choose the wacko everytime. At least you know what you are getting. We need more Jesse Venturas and Ross Perots. Regardless of what the media has portrayed them as, they are both very intelligent people who actually gave a fuck about the people.

Siji · Post by **Siji** » July 21, 2006, 1:21 am

Want people to vote? Make votes count.

What's the point of bothering when the popular vote doesn't even matter? When we can't even come up with an easy to use, uncontroversial, secure system of voting?

I voted, the guy I voted for won, he didn't become president. Why did I vote again?

*~*stragi*~* · Post by ***~*stragi*~*** » July 24, 2006, 2:08 pm

kyoukan wrote:jesus you are just dumb.

YOU JUST LACK VISION OK
MAYBE YOU SHOULD BUILD A TIME MACHINE
1.21 JIGGAWHATS?

dibit_eq · Post by **dibit_eq** » July 24, 2006, 2:49 pm

Poll taxes. I guess only a small number would realize why post-Industrial nations DONT use such an archaic system.

On an other note, it's interesting how some have such contempt for those younger, dumber, and poorer than themselves.... it must get lonely up on that pedestal.