Govt. Tax credit for people who vote

[deecee]

Even though the 2008 elections saw what is considered a high voter turnout, it is obviously favorable to have as many people as possible show up to cast their vote.

What are people's opinions on having a tax credit (maybe $50) granted to those who show up to vote (obviously regardless of who they vote for)? Assuming maybe 75% turnout (up from 66% in 2008) this would cost the government about $11bn in lost tax revenue (what is essentially a tax cut, but rewards citizens that cast a vote).

crazy idea, or no?

[acptulsa]

Most here dislike anything the government does in a manipulative way, period.

Would it improve the quality of the decision electorally rendered? I wonder.

[MikeStanart]

Sorry, but not a well informed idea. It is not necessarily beneficial for EVERYONE to show up for an election just to give the idea that democracy is "at work". What you'll basically end up having is lower income people showing up in droves and giving their votes to whoever blasts the area with the most TV ads. We need informed votes, even if people are bleeding heart liberals; they need to know WHY they're voting for who they're voting for, not just because they want to buy 50 quarter pounder's with cheese.

[Live_Free_Or_Die]

How about sending a check to people who do not consent because they do not vote.

[Knightskye]

You'd be paying people to vote. That would incentivize people to vote for candidates who promised to pay them more to vote. I think it's a bad idea.

[low preference guy]

what the fuck.

if you think sleeping in is better than voting for McCain or Obama, you should pay more taxes. that's tyranny.

[BamaAla]

The electorate is already largely ignorant; this would just expand that.

[heavenlyboy34]

The electorate is already largely ignorant; this would just expand that.

This ^^