I used to be pretty idealistic about voting when I was younger. I would have been a strong proponent of compulsory voting. After all, why the hell would you NOT want to vote? Government is so important. And voting is your chance to speak your mind. To have a voice in the policies and laws that effect every aspect of your life. It boggles my mind that nearly *50 PERCENT* of Americans are that apathetic to something so serious.

But I feel that over the years I've learned a simple lesson: Some people just don't give a shit. And they never will, no matter what we say or do. They just have different priorities. Some people just lead very busy lives; they don't have time to keep themselves informed. Or politics bores them to tears, or it stresses them out too much to get involved. Perhaps they just feel comfortable remaining blissfully unaware. The reasons are irrelevant, the point is they exist. And some people just flat out don't want to get involved. Realistically speaking, I don't think it's sensible to expect 100% or anywhere NEAR that number of Americans to vote. And I have yet to see any persuading argument that uninformed or uncaring votes are somehow a benefit.

And should not the right to vote also come with the right to not vote if that is the individuals choice?

CV is essentially giving the government the ability to punish people for not using their own rights. That just does not sit well with me. I'm not okay with my government having that capability, particularly when there is no clear significant benefit to doing so. There is no compelling evidence that this 'socioeconomic bias' is that severe a threat (If one at all) that requires such a drastic action.

Our government has a piss poor record when it comes to forcing people to do anything. More often then not it ends in failure.