Give Way rule change

**MSTRS:Me** · 19th February 2012, 09:05

Originally Posted by Drew

That's an oxymoron. No one can know what they are actually voting for when it comes to politicians.

Nah mate. They know exactly what they are voting for. The problem is that they don't know what they'll get.

**BMWST?** · 19th February 2012, 09:09

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Nah mate. They think they know exactly what they are voting for. The problem is that they don't know what they'll get.

fixt? 10 chars

**MSTRS:Me** · 19th February 2012, 09:18

Do you KNOW what you want, when you vote? Or only think you know?

**FJRider** · 19th February 2012, 12:13

Originally Posted by swbarnett

Depends. How many of those that voted actually had an opinion about the issues and weren't just voting the way they or their parents always have?

Who cares ... valid votes ... by registered voters ... were counted.

End result ... mandate to the incumbent political party given ... by the voting majority.

**swbarnett** · 19th February 2012, 14:19

Originally Posted by FJRider

Who cares ... valid votes ... by registered voters ... were counted.

End result ... mandate to the incumbent political party given ... by the voting majority.

To my mind, for a vote to be valid the person casting it must at least believe that they understand the issues that led them to vote a particular way. Without that it's just a lottery.

Hence, the lower the voter turnout the higher the likelihood that a significant percentage of the votes cast will be cast by informed citezins.

**FJRider** · 19th February 2012, 15:14

Originally Posted by swbarnett

To my mind, for a vote to be valid the person casting it must at least believe that they understand the issues that led them to vote a particular way. Without that it's just a lottery.

They are abiding by their democratic right, to vote in any way they deem is the correct/desired choice .... for them.

**Virago** · 19th February 2012, 15:29

Originally Posted by swbarnett

To my mind, for a vote to be valid the person casting it must at least believe that they understand the issues that led them to vote a particular way...

So who is to decide whether a person's understanding is satisfactory?

**BMWST?** · 19th February 2012, 16:02

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Do you KNOW what you want, when you vote? Or only think you know?

I voted but i underestimated the following gained by ACT and NZ first.Whilst i thought John Banks would get some traction I underestimated the ammount of support he got ,and totally underestimated NZ first revival.I thought both of those parties were history.That is what i meant by THINK they know

**FJRider** · 19th February 2012, 16:27

Originally Posted by Virago

So who is to decide whether a person's understanding is satisfactory?

As with all laws and political systems ... ignorance of such is not against any rules.

**swbarnett** · 19th February 2012, 17:09

Originally Posted by FJRider

They are abiding by their democratic right, to vote in any way they deem is the correct/desired choice .... for them.

Yes, and I won't be stopping them.

But at the same time they are doing themselves and us a disservice by tossing a coin to decide who to vote for. A vote is supposed to represent one's statement that this party or the other best represents the voter's views. If the voter doesn't have any views or has no real clue which party best represents them then this is best represented by not voting.

For example:

In a population of 100 elligible voters split thus:

- 10 strongly support party A because of their policies
- 15 strongly support party B because of their policies
- the remaining don't have a preference either way but 30 of these have always voted for party B because their parents did and 45 have always voted for party A for the same reason.

Assuming they all vote, party A will win the election 55 to 45 even though the overall will of the people actually favours party B by 15 votes to 10 (the rest don't really care so it's roughly a 50/50 split on the toss of a coin).

**swbarnett** · 19th February 2012, 17:12

Originally Posted by Virago

So who is to decide whether a person's understanding is satisfactory?

The important thing is not whether someone else thinks they know the issues. It's whether the voter themselves think they do.

**Kickaha** · 19th February 2012, 17:16

Originally Posted by Virago

So who is to decide whether a person's understanding is satisfactory?

That's an easy one
If they agree with me then their understanding is satisfactory, if they don't it isn't

**FJRider** · 19th February 2012, 17:29

Originally Posted by swbarnett

The important thing is not whether someone else thinks they know the issues. It's whether the voter themselves think they do.

Back on topic ... do the people that fail to give way at a give way sign "know all the issues" ... ???

More often ... they merely think it's the best choice of action for THEM ... at the time. Little fore thought ... and less after thought ... untill things turn to custard on them.

Then the ... "I never thought they would do that" comments are made.