Voting: Could the system be any more stuffed?

[xtremerus]

Originally Posted by troppo

I think that is a rather simplistic view of a complex problem.

People who don't vote have just as much right as anyone else to have an an opinion or view on any given issue...the problem starts when neither party shares your view. Sure, you can vote for the greenies or an independant, BUT since we have a two party preferred system, what happens is your so-called 'valuable' vote is sold to the highest bidder in a preference deal, thus rendering your view worthless. Is it fair then, that one should be forced to cast a vote while knowing it will eventually support the opposing view? I consider abstinance both a form of protest and a means of retaining some small degree of integrity, in that no matter which team of clowns gets in, I didn't help put them there.

Your vote is only "sold to the highest bidder in a preference deal, thus rendering your view worthless", if you let them. In the Senate 'tablecloth' ballot paper if you cross a party above the line, it is accepted that you go along with their preference deal. Apparently most [95%?] do it this way.
Take the time and vote below the line, and it goes the way you what it to go. With compulsory voting this will always happen, as some voters just go through the motions to get their name crossed off, and the political parties play their silly games.
I always vote below the line on the Senate 'tablecloth'