Is it morally reprehensible to lie about your vote when asked?

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

OK, I'll try to keep this as nonpartisan as possible.

November 2004. Son is just back from the voting booth. Father voted earlier in the day. He asks, "So, son, who did you vote for?" Son knows father will become a PITA if he tells the truth. So he lies. "Of course I voted for XYZ, just like you said, Dad."

Is that lie morally reprehensible?

[everythingsxen]

1. Votes should be public..

Because your concience should be clear when you vote..

[bigwillq]

2. I agree

What's the big deal if people know who you vote for. Stand up and defend your choice.

[bobbieinok]

4. did you ever hear of the concept of the 'secret ballot'????

...

[everythingsxen]

6. I've heard of it

I always thought it was stupid though.

It just seems to be for chickens.

"Sure I voted against that cut for the rich!" (secretly voted for it)

It seems the only people who need it are those who are engaging in deceit.

[kiahzero]

11. Yeah, real stupid

Because I know I want crazy fundamentalist bosses to know who their employees voted for. I know I want liberals in the Bible Belt to be exposed every time they voter for liberal candidates.

Peer pressure is not something that belongs in politics.

[everythingsxen]

14. No, it doesn't

but aren't that why there are laws to stop that sort of crap?

[everythingsxen]

7. I've heard of it

I always thought it was stupid though.

It just seems to be for chickens.

"Sure I voted against that cut for the rich!" (secretly voted for it)

It seems the only people who need it are those who are engaging in deceit.

[Fovea]

5. It helps keep corrupt politicians with money

from buying votes.

This was a problem in the 19th C. in municipal elections, IIRC.

That is where the $2 bill became unpopular, though that may be an urban legend.

[Toxictoaster]

8. Disagree

Too much potential for intimidation, cohersion, etc.

This country votes secretly, and has for a long time. It's one of the few things about government that should be kept secret.

[newyawker99]

18. Hi Toxictoaster!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Cat Atomic]

3. It's morally reprehensible

for a father to assume he owns his child's vote.

[teknomanzer]

9. Your vote, your business...

no one else has the right to know... I'm still debating whether to tell my Air Force veteran Republican voting father who recently found Jesus that his son the Army combat arms veteran and avowed agnostic votes for Democrats. I just don't bring any of it up, but if asked I would have to tell him the truth. Thats just me.

[DrWeird]

10. Nope. It's an immoral question.

It's like asking how much money you make, how old you are, or how much you weigh.

If it's impolite to ask it's not impolite to lie.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

15. DINGDINGDINGDING we have a winnah!

"If it's impolite to ask it's not impolite to lie."

You, Dr., just made my DU Quote Collection. See sig.

[philosophie_en_rose]

12. It's no one's business.

If someone has the nerve to intimidate and interrogate others about their votes, then they deserve whatever answer (or insult) that comes next.

I'm not ashamed of how I vote, but I don't have to answer to anyone else about my ability to choose.

[Rowdyboy]

13. Demanding to know how someone voted is rude...

The proper response is "Why do you ask?"

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

16. Even that, depending on occasion, may be giving too much.

e.g. openly wingnut boss querying employee. In this case, the only sane answer is "Republican, sir!"

[Marymarg]

17. Inappropriate questions

do not demand honest answers. Believing this, I was one of those who was not outraged by President Clinton's "lie."

I just think that are questions that only reflect the ignorance or ill-will of the inquisitor and are not worthy of an answer, at all.

[Kanary]

19. Given some of the attacks on DU

I've come to the conclusion that there are things here I wouldn't be forthcoming about... to save myself hassles.

Too bad it comes to that.

Kanary

[muriel_volestrangler]

20. naive question

what's a "PITA"?

[Spider Jerusalem]

23. Shorthand for "pain in the arse". (n/t)

[sweetheart]

21. deleted by sweetheart (dupe)

.

[sweetheart]

22. Do you realize your position is against human rights? (reply to post 1)

A lot of things were learned from world war 2 regarding black
listing and destroying minority populations... as the lessons are
encoded in the human rights code the world knows today.

Likely they were wise to make ballots secret.

Here is the article from the United Nations human rights declaration:

Article 21.
(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his
country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.

(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.

(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of
government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine
elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall
be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting
procedures.



http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html