Introducing my country, a small nation in the Pacific. As I tackle various challenging issues raised by my citizens, the country will develop, and you can monitor its progress via the link on the sidebar.

Today, for example, I was asked to legislate in response to the following:

In response to a slow news week, certain highbrow newspapers have stirred up the debate over voluntary vs compulsory voting.

I don’t like the idea of compulsory voting because it removes a degree of freedom. If people wish to express the view that they do not wish to express a view, then they should be allowed to do so. The democratic process should be open to all, not forced upon people. Refusal to engage with the democratic process is just as important a standpoint as being all gung-ho in support of a political party.

Whether or not people should be forced to express their view, as under the Aussie system, is a more contentious issue, but I’m still against it as I don’t think it’s necessarily right to force people to express their views. Plus, it would cause chaos for those who would have difficulty doing so.

I, therefore, decided that voting should be voluntary, and so my government will enforce this law overnight. I will be presented with a new dilemma tomorrow. And so the country will develop.