Why should paying cash for votes be illegal?

[Dissipate]

I don't understand why it should be illegal for people to pay $$$ for other people's votes. Politicians buy people's votes every day by getting up and making promises for transfer payments and other goods and services (social security, welfare, corporate bailouts & subsidies, education........), all paid for by the taxpayer's loot of course. Everyone should be allowed to do the same, with the main difference being that private transactions for votes wouldn't be subsidized by the taxpayers, in the long run it would save us all $$$.

Oh wait, that would bring competition to the racket the politicians have set up, we wouldn't want that to happen!

 

[CycloWizard]

Whoever has the most money could just buy the election. It would make the racket the politicians set up complete.

 

[Dissipate]

Originally posted by: CycloWizard
Whoever has the most money could just buy the election. It would make the racket the politicians set up complete.

Who cares? The outcome of the election is virtually meaningless anyways. At least this way the free market would decide the outcome, with those who value the outcome the most getting the outcome they desire, while those who don't care about their vote getting to pocket some extra money.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: Dissipate

Originally posted by: CycloWizard
Whoever has the most money could just buy the election. It would make the racket the politicians set up complete.

Who cares? The outcome of the election is virtually meaningless anyways. At least this way the free market would decide the outcome, with those who value the outcome the most getting the outcome they desire, while those who don't care about their vote getting to pocket some extra money.

I do not want Bill Gates nor George Soros as my President.

 

[Dissipate]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: Dissipate

Originally posted by: CycloWizard
Whoever has the most money could just buy the election. It would make the racket the politicians set up complete.

Who cares? The outcome of the election is virtually meaningless anyways. At least this way the free market would decide the outcome, with those who value the outcome the most getting the outcome they desire, while those who don't care about their vote getting to pocket some extra money.

I do not want Bill Gates nor George Soros as my President.

Then don't sell your vote to them. That's the beauty of the free market, it is voluntary.

 

[ReiAyanami]

Yeah, corporations already own 10 out of every 9 politicians. They buy them in bulk at costco

 

[desy]

So when the deomocracy devolves to a dictatorship you'd be happy?
Historically it hasn't been too successfull. . . .

 

[Dissipate]

Originally posted by: desy
So when the deomocracy devolves to a dictatorship you'd be happy?
Historically it hasn't been too successfull. . . .

How would it devolve to a dictatorship? This is a slippery slope fallacy. I didn't say change the system (although I would like to see the entire system eliminated), I merely said that people should be allowed to buy votes directly.

 

[Spencer278]

I don't think it would ever work the goverment is always more powerful then the richest person or group and the goverment could use that power to stay in power.

 

[maddogchen]

hmmm how would this work? how would you show proof that you actually voted a certain way? Take a picture of your ballot?

My votes cost $200 a president, $50 a senator, $40 a Rep, $6 a mayor.

 

[Alistar7]

Originally posted by: maddogchen
hmmm how would this work? how would you show proof that you actually voted a certain way? Take a picture of your ballot?

My votes cost $200 a president, $50 a senator, $40 a Rep, $6 a mayor.

Way too cheap, you can buy my vote but its gonna cost ya......

 

[Dissipate]

Originally posted by: Spencer278
I don't think it would ever work the goverment is always more powerful then the richest person or group and the goverment could use that power to stay in power.

If you are suspicious of a particular entity who wishes to buy your vote, don't sell it to them. This is a concept known as consumer sovereignty.

 

[Dissipate]

Originally posted by: maddogchen
hmmm how would this work? how would you show proof that you actually voted a certain way? Take a picture of your ballot?

My votes cost $200 a president, $50 a senator, $40 a Rep, $6 a mayor.

Yep, a small digital camera in the voting booth, or a camera phone would do the trick. I must say though, your prices are quite outrageous, considering how little your individual vote will affect the outcome of the election.

 

[Tom]

why bother voting ?

just put the offices up on ebay and divide the proceeds amongst the voters.

 

[Dissipate]

Originally posted by: Tom
why bother voting ?

I ask people that question all the time, and I have still not received any good answer. Under the current system, the chances that your individual vote will affect the outcome of the election is virtually non-existant. But someone who is willing to pay enough money, could make your vote more worthwhile, and you could profit at the same time.

just put the offices up on ebay and divide the proceeds amongst the voters.

Some voters have different prices for their votes and that would be voting socialism.

 

[Tom]

umm, just to clarify, i didn't say all that stuff you quoted ma as saying, just the especially witty and humorous part.

 

[Dissipate]

Originally posted by: Tom
umm, just to clarify, i didn't say all that stuff you quoted ma as saying, just the especially witty and humorous part.

Hence, I put my comments in bold.