Vote or else!

Now here's the most hysterically bad idea I've seen in a long time: compulsory democracy!

Brit Labour pol Geoffrey Hoon suggests that in order to boost election turnout (only 61% voted in the last general election) citizens who do not vote will be fined. That's right, if you choose not to vote or forget (apparently, to Hoon, there is no difference), the government will track you down with its lists and police, and fine you for a lack of civic mindedness.

Apparently, this is already in place in Australia, Austria, Belgium and Greece.

Just goes to show that there is a mightly big difference between liberalism and democracy. They are not synonymous. Somewhere, Rousseau is smiling.