A major concern every time elections are held is the "buying" of votes by candidates and/or issue-centric group so that they can get their way. But what happens if people paid to not vote at all?
A class at NYU entitled "Foundations of Journalism" sought to find out that very thing. The class polled more than 3000 students and found that 66% of the students would give up their vote for a free ride to the university. Surprisingly 20% would give up their right to vote for an iPod!
The real shocker is that 50% (yes at least half) the of students would FOREVER give up their constitutional right to vote for (in your best Austin Powers voice) $1,000,000.
With all that, 70% of the students said that their one vote can make a difference and 90% called voting either "very" or "somewhat" important. Which is an interesting juxtaposition that it is important to vote and voting can change things, but they are willing to give it up for "stuff".
So, what is your price? Or do you have one? Is your freedom to vote worth more to you than anything anyone could give you? I fear that its not the buying of votes we have to worry about any more. Its the apathy of being paid to not show up...
More about the poll is at the Politico web site here.
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I have and adult son who was diagnosed when he was young.
Let me tell you...he's always orbiting Pluto!
Now to the voting, voting is the most important right we have. We must use it!