None of the above

by Robert Tue Mar 11, 2003 10:15

I've been looking at this site on and off now for a few months and that is the most stupid thing I've seen. It's interesting to see how stupid people can be. I wouldn't believe it unless I saw it with my own eyes.

by Badman Tue Mar 11, 2003 11:09

A strongly made argument, which spells out clearly and succinctly your opposition to the concept.

It's funny that you use the word 'stupid' in your comment, apparently without irony!

by pat c Tue Mar 11, 2003 11:12

whats strange about this notion?

in some USA states this an option or re-open nominations (RON)

RON is a standard option in student union elections.

by Sparks Tue Mar 11, 2003 11:58

And you consider it stupid, why? It's *our* government after all, we pay for it.

by Gaillimhed Tue Mar 11, 2003 13:03

Yeah, and we better getta move-on making it *our* government before they bring in electronic voting for the whole country, just like florida!

by Glen Moran Tue Mar 11, 2003 14:01

Wasn't the E voting scheme cancelled (after naturally spending a fortune implementing it) because it took away the "election day excitement"?

I personally would be delighted to see a "none of the above" option, spoiled votes aren't worth mentioning in the media, but a significant "get bent" result to all candidates has a better chance of getting across whatever message takes your fancy.

by ExPat Tue Mar 11, 2003 14:45

If you don't like any of the choices get off your arse and stand for election yourself. It is so easy to get on the ballot in Ireland there is no excuse for not running.

by silo Tue Mar 11, 2003 14:50

According to this thread on www.thumped.com the backend used for e-voting is Microsoft Access.

http://thumpedbbs.com/bbs/showthread.php?threadid=5575

Not sure if this is the case.

by Sparks Tue Mar 11, 2003 16:07

I worked long and bloody hard to get to be doing the job I am doing now. Are you saying that I have to give all that up to prevent an incompetent person get into office? Feck that. I want the right to vote for no confidence in the candidates I have to choose from, not merely to be continually forced to choose the lesser of two dimwits.

As to the electronic voting system, it's worse than you thought...
http://www.p45.net/dos_prompt/columns/28.html

by Dublin Joey Tue Mar 11, 2003 18:01

Robert hits the nail on the head. This website is a real focal point for gombeens,law breakers and wasters in general. Not to mention the earlier allegations that Indymedia monitor and record details of individuals who log on. Mabey Ray and Daitti were inspired by Big Brother. Are they watching the salon now????

Seriously this is meant to be a news website, but only about 5% of postings are news that is not a replicate of things found elsewhere, such as on the State broadcasters website (cut & Paste jobs). A publishing policy is needed urgently, especially one that allows balance and alternative views.

by non starter Tue Mar 11, 2003 18:55

This is a stupid idea as the fundamental idea of a democracy is that you elect. Now agrue against democracy in its current form all you like but to have 'none of the above' on a voting slip is stupid as it is opposed to what is happening when you vote. Don't vote if you don't want to or make it change fundamentaly.

by barry Tue Mar 11, 2003 19:40

Well done Dublin Joey, you wanted a publishing policy "especially one that allows balance and alternative views", so you came to indymedia, say an article that interested you, a comment opposing the general thread of thought the article generated and you decided to reinforce that alternate view with your own post. Although you may not know it you were making use of the indymedia publishing policy "that allows balance and alternative views"

So there you go, your desire implemented before you even expressed it. Try getting "balance and alternative views" on RTE my friend.

by Dublin Joey Tue Mar 11, 2003 20:08

I did get my view onto RTE actually, why would there be a problem there? You obviously haven't seen the anti-Indymedia comments vanish about one or two hours after they are posted on this site. I accept that Ray and the other censors sometimes miss some.

by Lone gunman Tue Mar 11, 2003 21:38

On this board in a Long time. Ireland is essentially a two party system,with a few courtesan parties that prostitute themselves to the main dual parties.Along with a bunch of no hoper parties who will never get anywhere.There is really no one i would want to vote for. The none of the above should be introduced without delay.Especially as some ploitical idiots are talking about introducing compulsory voting in Ireland.Fine,If I am going to be forced to vote,I want an option to decline to vote any of these political swine into office.

Remember,there are white pigs,black pigs,green pigs,red pigs,conserative pigs,liberal pigs,rainbow pigs,warmongering and peacenick pigs,pigs of all colors to all other pigs.But in the end they are all pigs,trying to get their snouts into the trough of the taxpayers money.

by Robert Wed Mar 12, 2003 06:57

If you have to ask why then..... ;-)

by Sparks Wed Mar 12, 2003 11:05

If I have to ask why then it is not patently stupid. If noone else here can tell me why, then it is you who is incorrect and the idea is not stupid.

The simple fact is that many people do not vote because of an apathy that is brought about by the fact that they do not have an option to select their preferred choice in many cases. FF, FG, the PDs and Labour are in many cases treated with completely equal amounts of scepticism with regart to their candidates morality, ethics, truthfulness and competency. The greens rarely get considered (though that has been changing lately) because they are perceived as being a part of a radical left-wing movement, and despite the fact that most people cannot pin down what that actually means when pressed, the word "radical" is enough to lose the candidate the vote. Sinn Fein is seen as being linked to the IRA. (I'm not going to comment on that, it's not germane, we can discuss it elsewhere). This means that the average punter doesn't feel that any of the candidates are worth voting for and so they don't vote. As is reflected by voter turnout figures and the number of deliberately spoilt votes. Eliminating this apathy is vital - or else we'll wind up with SF running the country because they directly appeal to those feeling disenfranchised. The "none of the above" vote isn't the best way to do this - but it's a damn sight better than nothing!

by Todger Thu Mar 13, 2003 07:20

This is a very stupid idea.