When polled, Canadians say they do not want an election. Unless someone can prove different, I would argue that Canadians never want an election, as long as they have their job and they don't receive huge tax increases. The public sees some tax increases as good, as long as the government can spin it so that the increases support health and/or education. But increase the cost of driving a car or taking significantly more out of the public's pay cheque (as opposed to increasing payroll taxes by a little bit here and there), then watch out!
Canadian voters need to get their heads out of their asses! There...I said it.... The media is plastered with images of a democracy movement happening in North Africa and the Middle East, fighting for a right that Canadians take for granted. A huge turnout of Afghanistan voters happened during their last election, despite long line ups lasting hours, and the death threats issued by Al Qaeda. Yet, Canadians grumble about spending a few hours learning about the issues, then stopping on their way home from work to vote. If you really need to watch Oprah that day, how about setting up the PVR to record it?
The Canadian election in 2008 had the lowest voter turnout ever. Was it apathy? The issues weren't compelling (this was before the recession hit)? Liberal supporters staying home because they didn't want to vote for a Stephane Dion led party? Who knows. But this is your chance.
Get your ass off the couch and spend a few minutes getting engaged. Talk to the candidates that come to the door. Ask them about the issues that matter to you. Read their literature. Go to their websites when you're surfing the Net. Watch the leader's debate. At the very least, get out and vote. If you can't decide whether there is candidate in your riding that suits you, then vote for the candidate that represents the party that best aligns with your values.
Voting shows the political parties that you're engaged in the political process and you want a say in government. Not voting gives more power to special interest groups and may benefit a party you didn't want to govern. Not voting also doesn't give you the right to complain.
Stop doing the Canadian thing by whining and get out and vote!
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1 comment:
The worst of democracy.
People definitely don't vote because they know their vote doesn't matter. I believe majority of them. Not because they are lazy. This kind of opinion has to stop and we should encourage people not to vote and to keep government dysfunctional until a candidate with a set minimum required number of votes shows up. When situation like that happens, then there would be new and old parties coming with new clever useful ideas and more choices. That would be one way to get this democracy out of a cocoon and put it into a modern day secular system. Election has to allow government not to be elected and and cycle to be repeated with campaign and voting indefinitely until parties with big money are drained and activists have enough time to get their message out. One year, two years. It doesn't matter. It would create good times with lots of activism and lots of presence in papers and tv. As opposed to political games between two parties and stupid party attacks on each other. Which is the only news about the election right now. Ballots must include a "non of the listed candidates" choice. THEN every Canadian would have choice.
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