Idiot Bureaucrats Seek Idiot Voters
KABC producer Luis Segura is exactly, precisely right:
@KABCLuis
If you need a cash #prize to #vote then you shouldn't be at the #polls. Stay home, no one cares what you think. #wtf
He was tweeting about this moronic and destructive idea posted in a story at CBS Los Angeles:
"LA Panel Recommends Chance At Cash Prize To Boost Voter Turnout"CHEVIOT HILLS (CBSLA.com) -- Los Angeles city officials Thursday are considering the idea of a big cash lottery prize as a way to boost voter turnout.
In an effort to get more people to vote, the city ethics commission is recommending that the City Council consider offering a cash lottery prize to voters.
KCAL9's Dave Bryan spoke with a member of the city ethics commission about the panel's recommendation.
"Anyone who votes is eligible to win a certain percentage of money," said Jessica Levinson, ethics commissioner. "I mean, maybe its $25,000; its up to $100,000."
Aaaaand after noticing, later in the story, mention that CIty Council President Herb Wesson is waiting to see which way the wind is blowing on this, I'm back to my recommendation that we ditch the current City Council and elect the roving bear in the San Fernando Valley that scared the texter.
The late Cathy Seipp writes at Volokh in 2004:
Should the lazy idiot constituency be encouraged to influence society even more than it already does?...In the eternal words of Marge on "The Simpsons," "One person can make a difference, but most of the time they probably shouldn't."
Hmmm, how to get more easily swayed but generally uninformed people to vote. Bread and Circuses.
A random bear, I could probably convince people to vote for it.
Joe J at August 15, 2014 8:27 AM
That's just what we need... more low-information voters. Especially in leftist enclaves like L.A.
Cousin Dave at August 15, 2014 8:52 AM
Next, they will get the bright idea to just pay everyone who votes.
Dwatney at August 15, 2014 9:38 AM
Ironically, society would be freer and more prosperous if fewer people vote. People who vote themselves prizes are going to put us all into bondage.
Trust at August 15, 2014 11:13 AM
This was recommended by the city ethics commission? Holy crap. The people of LA are in big trouble. If this works it will show that most of the voters are probably too corrupt to know it.
Ken R at August 15, 2014 11:21 AM
I have an even better idea.
$25 Target gift cards for anyone that votes.
Throw in a Mickey D's coupon and even I'll drive the hour and 20 minutes it takes me to get down there.
Ppen at August 15, 2014 3:08 PM
What's the objective in driving higher voter turnout?
And is higher voter turnout a good thing?
Does high voter turnout result in better government? More widely accepted government? A government more in tune with the governed?
Is this intended to get the public more engaged with its government? Is that even how to do it? Does higher turnout drive engagement ... or does engagement drive higher turnout?
Not to mention the whole host of other questions that arise from this. How will this lottery be funded? Who will administer it? To which elections will it apply (national, local)?
If an honest attempt to increase citizen engagement, LA city officials have the chicken confused with the egg.
In reality, I think it's just a ploy to bring more low information voters to the voting booth to elect politicians who promise to give them even more goodies if elected. But I'm cynical.
Conan the Grammarian at August 15, 2014 4:10 PM
I am not so sure this is a new idea.
I've spent a few hours reviewing old Advice Goddess blog entries, and it seems like every issue alive today has been addressed at sometime in the past eight years.
Radwaste at August 15, 2014 4:33 PM
wow, I just love that line:
In the eternal words of Marge on "The Simpsons," "One person can make a difference, but most of the time they probably shouldn't."
I need to watch more of The Simpsons - that is brilliant!
Charles at August 15, 2014 6:46 PM
Some enterprising politician will change his/her name to Free Donuts. He will always be elected with at least 65% of the vote.
Easy Opinions - Free Ice Cream Cones
Politician: "Which of you wonderful people would like a free ice cream cone?"
Andrew_M_Garland at August 16, 2014 3:51 PM
Re the Simpsons:
Fran Lebowitz said something like that to a college audience, I think. (It was in Scorsese's "Public Speaking.") It was along the lines of: "Only some of you should write."
lenona at August 18, 2014 9:15 AM
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