Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sojourner1]

Many other countries including Korea take the day off. It's only right to allow people time to vote around their other responsibilities. Even Korea does it. I got election day off last December in a hagwon since we were closed! Election day in America should be made a national holiday.

American elite hasn't wanted to give it's people a fair chance at democracy, but just keep them weary, apathetic, and dumbed down to a state of miserable numbness.

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/10/28/obamas-election-day-rekindle-debate-national-holiday/

"A study from the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance shows that the United States ranks 139th out of 172 democratic countries when it comes to voter turnout over the past 60 years." This is because people are kept wearily busy so the process of democracy really doesn't take place. This thing we have called democracy is a sick diversion for plutocracy ran by the rich.

Since Obama called for a day off, he should sign an order to make election days national holiday that employers must allow off or pay 1.5 time and still give employees time to vote if they work a long day. I think the rich can afford to pay low paid employees, the majority, a paid day off for democracy and our quality of life. If they cared about the country, it's people, and overall quality of life, they'd share a little of the vast wealth existing in America.

[Seon-bee]

[tomwaits]

Good thread.

Funny how the rich countries "can't afford" to do things like this.

[Kuros]

I agree with the OP.

Our university gives Election Day off on election years, but they take away Columbus Day.

But, election day should stay on a Tuesday. If they give a Monday/Friday off for Americans, I'd be afraid they wouldn't vote. Stick that day off in the middle of the week.

What might be best is a half-day. Give Americans the afternoon off. That way they're already out and about, no?

[Ivor]

cuz there are better things to do

[peppermint]

Of all the problems with voting in US elections, I think people lacking the time to vote is one of the smaller ones. Why not focus on cutting lines at polling stations, and normalizing voter registration first?

[Ya-ta Boy]

In the 19th Century it was a day off. I don't know when it changed.

With our population as big as it is, we do need to do some niggling with the voting set-up.

More than half the states have extended voting periods, which was a good change, but reports are that people are still waiting up to 8 hours to vote. That's just crazy. That would drive away all but the most committed. I'm not sure even I would wait that long to vote.

We've also got to figure out a better way to do voter identification. Not everyone has a driver's license or passport.

[sjrm]

I'm not really sure how many other countries have early voting though either. That's most likely the reason why. I mean if you have a month to cast your ballot, while they're actually open on weekends to do this, than they're never going to vote anyway.

[newton kabiddles]

[Tiger Beer]

[tigercat]

They should make bars close on election day too, like in Thailand.

[NoExplode]

[Tiger Beer]

[Pooty]

So get up early and be one of the first in line

[ernie]

i'm wondering about the opposite question. why the hell do koreans take an entire day off to vote? i mean, it takes an hour at the very most.

i understand that the reason is because the big companies refuse to let their employees out into the light of day. but this solution is like killing a mosquito with a sledgehammer. why not mandate (and enforce) compulsory time off to vote during the day? they could use korean ID numbers to prevent a huge rush of the polls after work. (i.e. #s 0 - 10000 @ 1 - 2pm, etc)