Gambling In Elections

I watched a funny story yesterday about an initiative in Arizona that aims to draw more people to the polls by transforming the voting process there into a lottery. Apparently, this effort is an attempt to revive a previously rejected idea. Here’s how it would work…

When you vote, you would automatically be entered into a lottery with a single winner claiming the million dollar jackpot every 2 years. The idea supposedly is to attract more “citizens” into the election process with the lure of a get rich quick scheme. Do we really want to entice otherwise disinterested people into the voting process? If we have to bait them, then what does that reveal about their character? What sort of leaders would these individuals arbitrarily select? What message does this send to our kids? Do the right thing only if something is in it for you?

Aside from the mediocre theme that coincides with the lottery experience, do we really want our leaders chosen by individuals hoping and wishing to get something for nothing? Maybe the proponents of this brilliant idea are the same ones who are pushing to allow convicted felons into the voting booth.

Here’s my suggestion…I propose that you get to vote if and only if you work on commission. If you’re in sales or you run your own business, you are awarded the voting privilege. Otherwise you are out of luck so to speak. Of course you are still free to play the lottery. This could be a great idea to let the producers pick the leaders. What do you think? Maybe I’m kidding. Maybe it is a crazy idea… or maybe not.   Please join us in the fight against mediocrity wherever it surfaces!