If they were giving away Microsoft Points, that would be one thing. In this case, I can send the letter to the politicians against reform myself, without having to be spammed with hundreds of messages a week.
Anti-Health Care Reform Groups Offer Virtual Currency for Support
- Thread starter Tom Goldman
- Start date
Honestly, no, I don't think it will have any effect. But it sets a precedent for the use of virtual goods and services for bribing floating or non voters. And whilst I doubt it'll reach the point where the next US election is decided by such a factor (i.e. because the company can't follow you into the booth and watch to make sure you cast the vote the way they want you too), I do think it will be used in future to try and convince US politicians that public opinion is different from what it is.Low Key said:
For example, in an evolution vs 'intelligent design' discussion/bill/etc, imagine one side offers virtual loot for WoW (I doubt Blizzard would sign up for politics, but lets roll with it for the moment). You'd get anywhere thousands to millions of people's names for/against the bill/etc who really don't have strong opinions on the issue in the first place.
I mean, fortunately, it doesn't affect me yet, living in the UK and all, but whatever shitty political bullshit moves work in the US get exported to here.
I don't know if you guys have lobbyists in the UK, but they are a dime a dozen here. They have effectively been buying votes for over 100 years for one thing or another. That's why the American government sucks, especially the current one. People signing up to some website isn't going to change anything. The letters I have sent to my senators have yet to be responded to despite me sending them over a month ago. The one guy that did respond, a state House member, sent me a pre-written email, and he is against the health reform too.Doug said:
This isn't the first time politics have been integrated into the opportunity of getting free stuff either. The Escapist just happened to report on this one.
Not....really. I mean, we do, but really, the vast majority of the population knows that 90%+ of politicans are liars, thefts, or outright shit bags (see Peter Mandelson for an example of all 3 in one body). So, basically, unless a lobby happens to be news flavour of the hour, they don't really get a look in.Low Key said:
Not really. Your government sucks for the same reason all governments suck - politicans run them with only occasionally rare individuals of talent rising into the top office (pretty much just Nelson Mandela, Churchill, and possibly JFK spring to mind; Oh, and probably FDR), with idiots in the rest of the time. Democracy is hence the process of people trying to work out who's the one less likely to mess shit up.Low Key said:
Anywho, if this is really the way stuff works in America, thats very disappointing. Though I don't really get American politics; you all seem to get so worked up and bi-partisan about every damn thing.
No, not health care, which is important and a pretty huge issue, but even little things, like making it an offense to drive without a seat belt on if a car has them equiped. I remember reading about a kid in America who took it as a personal affront to have to wear a seat belt because it was law and ended up dying in a car accident because of his 'beliefs'.
sounds like people are whoring their opinions, if you will
that being said, I sympathize. BUT, as long there are incredible idiots and incredible assholes, if not slightly smart, exploitation will occur
Well, my good teddy, you have a point, but democracies the best we've got so far, seeing communism went SO well.Demented Teddy said:
that being said, I sympathize. BUT, as long there are incredible idiots and incredible assholes, if not slightly smart, exploitation will occur
that is another of the things I hate about america, that we're so black and white when it comes to politics in general.Demented Teddy said:
BZZZZZT, wrong. Thank you for playing. Though you don't get a consolation prize.Demented Teddy said:
A democracy is government determined by election by every single of its citizens. A republic is a government determined by election by representatives, usually termed as senators. Research history of the Roman Empire to find some of its roots, although the concept goes even further back in time. America has not been nor probably ever will be a true democracy. The closest thing to a democracy is only down to the town and city level where people are given the vote to certain laws and propositions. Otherwise the country in general is run by the House of Representatives and the Senate. The President is not even directly elected by the people, but instead an electoral college, which by rule of thumb follows the popular vote, but many states do not restrict their electors to follow the popular vote. So John Q Citizen in the good ol' USA has just his voice to help sway opinion. But when it is put against lobbyists representing big corporations, we may as well sound like a fly buzzing against a window.
Which helps add to the screwed uppedness to this scam (and yes, it is a scam), since as I said, lobbyists will meet with elected officials, and point at the valid points of what this program will put out. Valid meaning what they choose to present. It's a tool for false support, basically the gray area for fraud, but lobbyists have never let that stop them. They get paid big bucks to sway senators and representatives to vote for or against bills in big corporations', or even big organizations', interest.
I realise these games are addictive and whatnot put people want their fictional currency so badly they are willing to sell their vote?
Stupid, stupid people.
Stupid, stupid people.