Quizzes & Puzzles1 min ago
The AnswerBank Supports British Democracy
19 Answers
Today, when I stepped outside I swear I could smell democracy in the air.
Equally the grass had just been cut this morning, so it may have also been that.
The AnswerBank would like to offer some kind words of support for the troubled democracy of Britain.
Yes, there have been scandals a-plenty; the public almost assume those in power will be instantly corrupted – if they have not already had a reserve price put down next to their name by a global conglomerate. Yes, this current government had promised us Parliamentary reform 13 years ago, and, again, thinks we might just believe them this time; this distain for the public’s intelligence is breath-taking. Equally in opposition we have a party who have managed to blame the Public Sector for the current financial crisis – rather than the too-free enterprise of the banks.
And yes, even when a third party appears to gain some support amongst voters our newspapers rabidly attempt to shoot them down. Our media lathers itself up into a frenzy about the tiniest of matters – whooping like baboons every time a politician slips on a banana.
Yet none of this matters; democracy is in the air. Today you will, most likely, visit a polling booth for the very private act of playing-your-part. We all like to moan, but now is our chance to actually do something. Whether you vote “tactically” or for the party you actually believe in remember your vote will be counted.
Turnout looks to be good this year, and hopefully there will be a decent turnout tonight on AnswerBank. I intend to put up a thread in the News section, and hopefully some of you will come join me to have a chat, cheer and boo, and get riled up in the massive, bloated pantomime of it all!
All the best
Spare Ed
Equally the grass had just been cut this morning, so it may have also been that.
The AnswerBank would like to offer some kind words of support for the troubled democracy of Britain.
Yes, there have been scandals a-plenty; the public almost assume those in power will be instantly corrupted – if they have not already had a reserve price put down next to their name by a global conglomerate. Yes, this current government had promised us Parliamentary reform 13 years ago, and, again, thinks we might just believe them this time; this distain for the public’s intelligence is breath-taking. Equally in opposition we have a party who have managed to blame the Public Sector for the current financial crisis – rather than the too-free enterprise of the banks.
And yes, even when a third party appears to gain some support amongst voters our newspapers rabidly attempt to shoot them down. Our media lathers itself up into a frenzy about the tiniest of matters – whooping like baboons every time a politician slips on a banana.
Yet none of this matters; democracy is in the air. Today you will, most likely, visit a polling booth for the very private act of playing-your-part. We all like to moan, but now is our chance to actually do something. Whether you vote “tactically” or for the party you actually believe in remember your vote will be counted.
Turnout looks to be good this year, and hopefully there will be a decent turnout tonight on AnswerBank. I intend to put up a thread in the News section, and hopefully some of you will come join me to have a chat, cheer and boo, and get riled up in the massive, bloated pantomime of it all!
All the best
Spare Ed
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in a true democracy would you have a number on your voting slip that can be traced back to you
in a true democracy would you have a number on your voting slip that can be traced back to you
Some Points Of Reference, if you're still undecided:
Cameron-Land, by Johann Hari:
http://www.independen...ron-land-1962318.html
Election contenders in final preparations to begin ignoring you again, by Newsarse
http://newsarse.com/2...n-ignoring-you-again/
Your democracy’s spoiling my vote!, by @WriterJames
http://cubiksrube.wor...cys-spoiling-my-vote/
The Army of Dave Guide to Voting Etiquette, by @ArmyOfDave
http://armyofdave.com...-to-voting-etiquette/
Cameron-Land, by Johann Hari:
http://www.independen...ron-land-1962318.html
Election contenders in final preparations to begin ignoring you again, by Newsarse
http://newsarse.com/2...n-ignoring-you-again/
Your democracy’s spoiling my vote!, by @WriterJames
http://cubiksrube.wor...cys-spoiling-my-vote/
The Army of Dave Guide to Voting Etiquette, by @ArmyOfDave
http://armyofdave.com...-to-voting-etiquette/
Thanks For Nothing Gordon Brown, by Jock McPhuckwerter
http://www.dailysquib.co.uk/?c=125&a=2282
David Cameron Facts, by @DaveFacts
http://www.davidcameronfacts.co.uk/
Nervous, by Anton Vowl
http://enemiesofreaso...k/2010/05/05/nervous/
The Election, by @Lisaansell
http://deeplyflawedbu.../05/03/this-election/
and finally:
The Official Monster Raving Loony Party Site and Manifesto
http://www.omrlp.com/
and
http://www.loonyparty...=manifestoproposals-1
http://www.dailysquib.co.uk/?c=125&a=2282
David Cameron Facts, by @DaveFacts
http://www.davidcameronfacts.co.uk/
Nervous, by Anton Vowl
http://enemiesofreaso...k/2010/05/05/nervous/
The Election, by @Lisaansell
http://deeplyflawedbu.../05/03/this-election/
and finally:
The Official Monster Raving Loony Party Site and Manifesto
http://www.omrlp.com/
and
http://www.loonyparty...=manifestoproposals-1
Dear All,
Glad you've voted guys. It is important. Sorry about the post - I think I got a bit misty-eyed in there somewhere.
JJ - your Avatar is...interesting. No chance you fancy something less controversial?
The problem is Dr.F then there would be the concern that certain governments would only help their supporters? I know this is roughly the case now, but there is some "collateral benefits" out there in this anonymity.
Spare Ed
Glad you've voted guys. It is important. Sorry about the post - I think I got a bit misty-eyed in there somewhere.
JJ - your Avatar is...interesting. No chance you fancy something less controversial?
The problem is Dr.F then there would be the concern that certain governments would only help their supporters? I know this is roughly the case now, but there is some "collateral benefits" out there in this anonymity.
Spare Ed
Dr.F I would like to think it is both of us! Although, in reality, it is most likely my misunderstanding.
A nice post on the final polls here:
http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/blog/
AND: http://news.bbc.co.uk...tion_2010/8661984.stm
To quote from the Beeb article:
"Pyjamas are fine, provided they're not indecent. And so is a builder who's stripped to the waist. We want people to vote, we don't want to turn people away," he says. But a line does have to be drawn somewhere, he says. "A topless woman wouldn't be appropriate as voters might get distracted."
I laughed - is this why Murdoch's Sun has so much sway over the voters? Distraction by breasts?
All the best
Spare Ed
A nice post on the final polls here:
http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/blog/
AND: http://news.bbc.co.uk...tion_2010/8661984.stm
To quote from the Beeb article:
"Pyjamas are fine, provided they're not indecent. And so is a builder who's stripped to the waist. We want people to vote, we don't want to turn people away," he says. But a line does have to be drawn somewhere, he says. "A topless woman wouldn't be appropriate as voters might get distracted."
I laughed - is this why Murdoch's Sun has so much sway over the voters? Distraction by breasts?
All the best
Spare Ed
-- answer removed --
I take the point about numbered ballot papers, but this is purely to prevent fraud. Given the advances in modern technology, if ballot papers were unnumbered there would be nothing to prevent someone with a handful of pre-printed papers stuffing them into the ballot box. Obviously the voting figures would not tally, but then which votes would be discounted? Once votes have been counted they are then resealed in ballot boxes which can only be reopened by order of the High Court, in cases where fraud is suspected. I know of no instance where a ballot paper has been traced back to an individual voter. Rest easy.
For those who like a drink:
The Election Night Drinking Game:
http://armyofdave.com...-night-drinking-game/
The Election Night Drinking Game:
http://armyofdave.com...-night-drinking-game/
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