is to make sure that the country doesn't do something completely stupid. I do that by electing the individual I feel will not. Sometimes my vote makes a major difference, others not.
My right is to have my voice heard in the chorus of other voters, without having to do the country's bidding at any time. As soon as I am forced to do what my country tells me to just to have a voice in the chorus, this is no longer a free society. The founders of this nation did not create this country to be a place where rights have to be earned by showing dedication to a cause one does not support. I do not support the aggresive nature of our country. I would never serve in it's military, as I am a hard line pacifist. I recognize the -need- for a military in this twisted sick world we have, but I pray for a day when the military is obsolete, and subsequently disbanded.
To require military service to gain the right to vote, requires that I would have to ignore my basic morals of pacifism and support the military in some manner or another. Even a desk job in the military is sickening to me. Even cleaning the latrine on the base would be (besides the obvious reasons), or being a medic, or whatever. As long as the military is involved, I would never be a part of it. Similarly, police duty would pose the same problems, as frequently they shoot to kill. Again, against my pacifism.
Explain to me, how a hard line pacifist, who would never participate in anything military, nor support it in any way, would ever be able to gain the right to vote in such a society? Add to that, that I would never support an aggresive country, such as the USA, and where does that leave me?
By the way, I fully intend to (as I have every year) vote this year. Only when one does not vote, do they give up their right to have a voice in the chorus. Apathy is our problem, not lack of understanding of duty. The ones who do not vote presently, probably wouldn't serve either. The ones who do vote, but without thought, are probably fairly rare, and might still gain voting rights under your system. However, the people that would -lose- the right to vote under your system, are people like me. I care about what this country does. I look into the local issues to see if I really should vote one way or another. I vote on a lot more than just the president...I am not apathetic, yet military service would alienate me and leave me voiceless....Thus, there is a major flaw in that idea. |
