But VOTING is a great right. Heck, people die for it. Democracy, even as skewed as it is, is better than outright dictatorship. Why not participate?

Why must you vote? I voted but I think that many people should probably refrain. A general election requires many people to make an unqualified decision. It requires you to have a deep understanding of politics, sociology, economics, anthropology and history. Why is democracy held up in such high regard? Why is the tyranny of a simple numerical majority so sacred?

If you decide that you are mentally equipped enough to deal with the gargantuan task of matching a party’s ever-changing policy with your view of an extremely complex world then please use your brain and not your heart; your brain is far better suited.

I’d much prefer a country with a strong constitution where the democratic process was reduced to a minor administrative function of appointing guardians.

I agree about the need for politeness though.

I am in a situation where I want to work but have been told I will have to refuse work if offered it as I would end up worse off! I get £64.50 a week job seekers allowance but have been assured that if I take employment I will be in even greater financial straits than I already am. I would love to be back in employment and it is fairly disheartening to keep on applying for jobs that you will have to turn down if offered, mad system.

Kindest regards and looking forward to QI new series, or how about Stephen Fry in Europe?

It is a shame about Mr. Harris’s defeat in the Oxford West constituency. On the whole, however, despite a few speed bumps regarding disenfranchisement due to poll closures (which seem relatively minor compared to the election snafus we have had here in the States over the last decade), I must salute you and your countrymen for the (comparatively) spectacular way in which you run elections in the UK. I have been following the UK elections quite closely, by sneaking illicit glances at such fantastic programs as Question Time, as well as reading the online editions of the papers. As an American, I could only dream of an election where ordinary average citizens are as concerned about wonkish policy details as they are about personalities and sound bites. Your post here is very indicative of a major difference between the state of politics on our respective sides of the pond. Perhaps it can be chalked up to an inherent “Britishness,” but your election process is far more based on reason, respect, and actual debate than ours. No American pundit with as much influence as you have in the UK would dare to write a piece like you have here. Uncertainty is anathema to the American condition. I salute you, sir, for being willing to publicly announce to the world that you have (or, as the case is at this point, had) doubts, questions, and a bout of indecision.

If you ever find yourself back in the state of Kentucky, I at the very least owe you dinner as royalty payment for all of the fantastic programming of yours that I have no way of watching except via bit torrent and streaming sites.