Voltaire would vote for Obama. He really hated that whole idea of royalty being super rich, so I think he would like the idea of the top 1% of income earners paying some extra taxes. In Candide, Voltaire made some statements about how the clergy would preach the word of God, but they wouldn't help the poor. He believed in helping the less fortunate. He would support a big government that created programs to help the poor.
Voltaire also believed in electing people based on merit. I don't really think I can speak for what he believes is a qualified person. Maybe he would think Obama more qualified because he has already had 4 years of experience as president and all. But perhaps he would have been upset at how Obama handled the past four years and would look for a change in leadership. Even if that were so, he still wouldn't vote for Romney. I could see him voting for the green party.
Camus wouldn't vote, because it doesn't matter who wins. Or he would revolt. He would stage an overthrow of the government. Then he would become the the president. He would insist on a laissez-faire government and tell people they could do what ever they want.
I like the points you bring up for Voltaire. I think you're right about how he would like the top 1% paying for extra taxes. And that's a good point about electing people based on merit.
ReplyDeleteI think Camus might vote because if he doesn't vote then it's like suicide because he's completely giving up and not even bothering to vote.
I think that there are really too many unanswered questions about the beliefs of Voltaire and too many views of Obama to really make that decision. But i do agree with your statement about Camus.
ReplyDeleteI like that you brought up the 1% point in your argument for voltaire. I think you are totally right. I also think he would vote for Obama because of the "freedom" he would get. It feels as if there would be less restrictions on his life if Obama were to be elected.
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