Alberta Liberals: vote (for us) and get $50

[Canada 02]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle1566451/

Improve government accountabilty by paying people to vote? Another great idea from the Liberal Party

[Resolute 14]

A $50 tax credit? So, basically, we'd get about $6 in actual cash back on our return?

[drewboy12]

this is stupid. a $50 tax credit, bribing for votes, i dont think this should be allowed

[flamesfan6]

$50 is not really anything, and apparently would of cost 48 mil last election for a 41% turnout... so if it did increase the participation, it would be well over 48 million in amounts for people just big enough for one dinner.

stupid idea.

[malcolmk14]

From the article:

There is no costing of the idea in the Liberal document, but if everyone who voted in 2008 had claimed a $50 credit, the province would have forgone almost $48 million in revenue.

Umm no.

[Knut]

Why do they not work on giving us better options for voting.... that will be better to get people out to Vote.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Hesla

Why do they not work on giving us better options for voting.... that will be better to get people out to Vote.

Honestly, the Liberals could have Churchill, Caesar, and Lincoln in their ranks, and there would still be people who would never give them a second thought based on their name alone.

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Honestly, the Liberals could have Churchill, Caesar, and Lincoln in their ranks, and there would still be people who would never give them a second thought based on their name alone.

It still comes down to lack of good choices from the Liberal party as to why they have not been elected. They have not offered up an election platform or leader worthy of my vote since Lawrence Decore. They use the Trudeau-NEP fear mongering excuse as a way to absolve themselves of their utter failure to connect with the Alberta public. I haven't voted PC two elections in a row now. My vote is certainly up for grabs, they have yet to earn it.

Also on the $50 tax credit for voting, I'm kinda afraid of the choices people who otherwise wouldn't vote would make if getting paid $10 a year later moves the needle for them. My opinion on people who don't care enough to vote is that they effectively endorse the outcome either way.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Honestly, the Liberals could have Churchill, Caesar, and Lincoln in their ranks, and there would still be people who would never give them a second thought based on their name alone.

Which is their own fault.

Its been said a million times on CP here alone. Change your name, and come up with a fiscally responsible and socially liberal platform and you win a lot of votes.

Because I'm never voting for the conservatives again. At least not until they change their tune.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Alberta Liberals: vote (for us) and get $50.

Actually, it's vote (for anyone) and get $50.

You want to fix voter apathy, go to a voting system that cuts down on wasted votes. Alberta NEEDS Single Transferable Vote for a dynamic political environement.

[GGG]

I don't think changing our electoral system would improve turn out. People who know enough to understand the difference between a transferable vote and first past the post are people who vote.

There are very few people who stay home from voting because they don't like the system. Rather than a reward i would perfer mandatory voting with a $50 fine for not voting.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by GGG

I don't think changing our electoral system would improve turn out. People who know enough to understand the difference between a transferable vote and first past the post are people who vote.

There are very few people who stay home from voting because they don't like the system. Rather than a reward i would perfer mandatory voting with a $50 fine for not voting.

No, they stay home because they know their vote doesn't matter, which is a result of the system.

I don't like mandatory voting because if someone who wouldn't make the effort to vote isn't likely to inform themself. I'd rather not encourage random voting.

[Bunk]

Some sort of modified Proportional Representation would certainly help apathy. That way if you're clearly the minority in your constituency (ie a liberal or NDP supporter in a heavily conservative riding), you still have representation through your vote - and therefore you'll be more inclined to vote.

[SebC]

Also if you're in a clear majority in your constituency - you can affect how seats your party gets in your constituency, which is even more important if the total legislature is close.

[First Lady]

The proposal is Step 10 in the party's 12-step program to improve the accountability and effectiveness of government.

Bahh Ha Ha



You can also make a politcal donation, get the benefit and still sit at home on Election Day.

[cal_guy]

Originally Posted by First Lady

Bahh Ha Ha



You can also make a politcal donation, get the benefit and still sit at home on Election Day.

You would still get an extra $50 for voting assuming the tax credit is refundable. We could also do the Australian stick method and fine people for not voting. Consistent 90% voter turnout, can't argue with that.

[starseed]

Thoughtless, infantile anti-liberal ribbing aside, this is a good idea.

Give a little tax money back to taxpayers who do their civic duty.

[flamesfan6]

Originally Posted by starseed

Thoughtless, infantile anti-liberal ribbing aside, this is a good idea.

Give a little tax money back to taxpayers who do their civic duty.

i won't vote for the conservatives/pc .. but spending 48 mil plus on $50 / person is not going to make a difference for most people, in essence its one meal at a restaurant...

I'd rather have the 48mil + spent on health care than on one meal and a bit.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by SebC

No, they stay home because they know their vote doesn't matter, which is a result of the system.
.

I would contend that those who don't vote couldn't tell you the difference or the effect of various schemes.

If I had my preference I would perfer just a simple elected dictatorship. No MP's, No Parliment, No question period. Get rid of all the crap and make 1 person 1 vote directly for the leader.

Some systems for oversite would have to be added but the whole concept of MP's / MLA's representing their constituents is farcical.

[malcolmk14]

It isn't $48 million. It's actually $4.8 million.

A $50 tax credit translates into about $5 back on your return.