Situation critical: Why you must vote.

[Leafless]

Situation critical: Why you must vote

Because voter turnout is so low, a party can win a majority at Queen's Park with the support of just one quarter of eligible voters. It's a 'bizarre' situation, experts say, that should fire people up to cast a ballot today. Don Butler reports.

"Bizarre situation"?

Well, I suppose it is bizarre when the Ottawa citizen goes beating up on FPTP in favour of MMP because the FPTP fails to ensure that representation in the legislature reflects a party's level of electoral support.

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/s...eb8abec&p=1

But what is the cause of real voter apathy?

1. An over opinionated media that tries to control your line of thought, with a series of articles that includes their preferred party and leader, but basically ignores everyone else.

2. The acceptance of corrupt political leaders who, in the case of Mr. Mc.Guinty just about broke every campaign promise in order to get elected.

3. Unreasonable conditions placed by the premier relating to the passing of MMP.

4. Failure of all parties and the press, to properly address the important issues affecting the the daily lives of residents in the province of Ontario.

What can you add to the cause of voter apathy?

[M.Dancer]

Generally voter turn out is the weakest amongst the younger crowd.

I think it would be wise if the election planners check their TV guide if they want those 20 somethings to get off the couch, after all they're competing with America's Next Top Model and Kid Nation....

[Shakeyhands]

"Bizarre situation"?

Well, I suppose it is bizarre when the Ottawa citizen goes beating up on FPTP in favour of MMP because the FPTP fails to ensure that representation in the legislature reflects a party's level of electoral support.

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/s...eb8abec&p=1

But what is the cause of real voter apathy?

1. An over opinionated media that tries to control your line of thought, with a series of articles that includes their preferred party and leader, but basically ignores everyone else.

2. The acceptance of corrupt political leaders who, in the case of Mr. Mc.Guinty just about broke every campaign promise in order to get elected.

3. Unreasonable conditions placed by the premier relating to the passing of MMP.

4. Failure of all parties and the press, to properly address the important issues affecting the the daily lives of residents in the province of Ontario.

What can you add to the cause of voter apathy?

Ok there Mr Tory.... .LOL!

Young people don't, for the most part, understand or care to understand how (not) voting can affect them.

Others seem to feel it doesn't matter or have no interest. Its that simple.

[mikedavid00]

Generally voter turn out is the weakest amongst the younger crowd.

I think it would be wise if the election planners check their TV guide if they want those 20 somethings to get off the couch, after all they're competing with America's Next Top Model and Kid Nation....

You must force people to vote or get a fine. It's the only way to ensure that everyone democracy.

Immigrants vote proportionally higher than Canadians so democracy is not working currently.

I will be completing a data analisys study of all the ridings in Ontario and link the vote to ethnic origin to I can PROVE TO YOU ALL what immigration is doing to our electoral system, and country.

Maybe Jennie will learn something.

I support McGuinty because he's not going to mess with our schools. That's the only reason why. And MMP? HELL NO!

[mikedavid00]

Ok there Mr Tory.... .LOL!

Young people don't, for the most part, understand or care to understand how (not) voting can affect them.

Others seem to feel it doesn't matter or have no interest. Its that simple.

I'm still deciding wether I should vote. I just may not.

I mean.. lets get real Libearls are a shoe-in in my riding because I live in a Muslim, Pakistani riding.. about 15% of my area is Pakistani and that is enough to tip the vote one way.

[M.Dancer]

I will be completing a data analisys study of all the ridings in Ontario and link the vote to ethnic origin to I can PROVE TO YOU ALL what immigration is doing to our electoral system, and country.

You might want to learn how to read stats first....

[mikedavid00]

You might want to learn how to read stats first....

I'm building the riding list now in excel.

[capricorn]

Ok there Mr Tory.... .LOL!

Young people don't, for the most part, understand or care to understand how (not) voting can affect them.

Others seem to feel it doesn't matter or have no interest. Its that simple.

If it is the case that most younger voters do not vote (which I believe) consequently they form a large portion of those who don't vote. For example, if there is a 60% voter turnout, would that mean that the other 40% has a large number of youth? Since youth does not appear to be engaged with politics and are uninformed/uninterested, I kinda like the idea that they stay away from the voting booth.

I don't like the idea of a fine for non-voters. How would the poor pay that debt? Rather than assess a fine, I would prefer payment of a bonus to those who do vote, say around $50.00. For those who don't pay any tax at all, the compensation could be added to their GST refund payment.

[guyser]

You must force people to vote or get a fine. It's the only way to ensure that everyone democracy.

And then you post this next sentence? Get your cheque book out.

I'm still deciding wether I should vote. I just may not

So everyone but you is democratic or what?

Immigrants vote proportionally higher than Canadians so democracy is not working currently.

Whats un-democratic about it. If anything you should realize they care for their future and you dont. They work and pay taxes and serve the democratic principles of this country and you just lie and bs your way about everything. If anything, they are more Canadian than you will ever hope to be. The immigrants are happy to be here, happy to vote.

But because the re-runs of "Flavor Flav " run past nine tonight, you will bitch and moan that you cannot get out to vote.

I will be completing a data analisys study of all the ridings in Ontario and link the vote to ethnic origin to I can PROVE TO YOU ALL what immigration is doing to our electoral system, and country.

Here, I will save the time trouble and expense. Capsulated it should read......

Immigrant vote in huge numbers. Canadian bitchers and whiners dont, so democracry works as intended. Thank you and have a nice day. $22.95 please.No cheques from you, only cash.

I support McGuinty because he's not going to mess with our schools. That's the only reason why. And MMP? HELL NO!

McGuinty is very glad to have your support. He called and wished it meant a vote too, but thats too much to ask isnt it? Democracy....voting....nahhhhh.....Flavor Flav baby !!!

[mikedavid00]

If it is the case that most younger voters do not vote (which I believe) consequently they form a large portion of those who don't vote. For example, if there is a 60% voter turnout, would that mean that the other 40% has a large number of youth? Since youth does not appear to be engaged with politics and are uninformed/uninterested, I kinda like the idea that they stay away from the voting booth.

I don't like the idea of a fine for non-voters. How would the poor pay that debt? Rather than assess a fine, I would prefer payment of a bonus to those who do vote, say around $50.00. For those who don't pay any tax at all, the compensation could be added to their GST refund payment.

It already works well in Australia. Why disagree with something that already works well. Canada's democracy is being ruined because not everyone is voting.

[Peter F]

It already works well in Australia. Why disagree with something that already works well. Canada's democracy is being ruined because not everyone is voting.

I doubt more spoiled ballots would solve the problem.

[Shakeyhands]

I'm building the riding list now in excel.

I can hardly wait ot see this!!!!!!!

[mikedavid00]

I doubt more spoiled ballots would solve the problem.

That is an assumption on your part.

I feel the ideal system would be like this.

If you paid taxes for the majority of the previous 4 years between the election, you get a vote.

If not, then you don't vote.

If you have lived in Canada less than 10 years, you simply do not get to vote.

If you are a civil servant, you do not get to vote.

This alone will exclude over half of all voters.

The rest get manditory voting.

There would be things like open voting (gay marriage, banning religions, etc. where anyone could vote on a referendum issue that doesn't involve funding a social service).

But only those who FUND the social services get to speak on how the money is spent.

I get to vote becuase we are the providers of jobs for civil servants, and all the social programs. The civil servant should not have a say on their own paycheck so to speak because we don't get to vote for our paychecks now do we?

You will also see that a great many of these voters will be low income working people struggling to get by in life. They will certainly want to have their money spent wisely.

i find it troubling when 30% of people working in Canada are living off private sector tax dollars and can vote down lines that will enhance their payckeck. This is a problem in our system that needs to be remedied.

[mikedavid00]

I can hardly wait ot see this!!!!!!!

The list is completed. Now we just need to get results.

I spent about 2 hours today on this painstakingly looking at the visible minority composition of each riding that I doubted was a minority riding. There were many suprises actually like all of Ottawa and other parts of Ontario that I never know had so many immigrants.

I have the sheet finalized here and will post it and upload it as an attatchment. I also have a .com i can use I think and I can put it on the web.

[ScottSA]

Actually, the ten year residency requirement is perfectly legitimate. We seem to have quite a canadian diaspora, what with 20-40 thousand "Canadians" in Lebanon alone, and lord only knows how many abroad in places like India, Pakistan and Hong Kong, yet all these at best nominal Canadians get to excercize a vote. It's quite ridiculous.

[mikedavid00]

Actually, the ten year residency requirement is perfectly legitimate. We seem to have quite a canadian diaspora, what with 20-40 thousand "Canadians" in Lebanon alone, and lord only knows how many abroad in places like India, Pakistan and Hong Kong, yet all these at best nominal Canadians get to excercize a vote. It's quite ridiculous.

I agree.

People should not be voting who are abroad.

Again. The Liberal party of Canada loves to have voters vote with no ID. They love to have people voting in other countries. It keeps them elected.

Harper = Canadian.

Dion = A guy who holds 2 citizenships and refused to comment on why and would not even admit to renouncing is French citizenship.

Dion feels that he does not have to answer to Canadians why he is a citizen of another country and refused to renounce his citizenship.

I guess he fealt that was more important to him than his own Canadian people.

(wow.. what other modern country does this sort of thing happen).

[guyser]

I agree.

People should not be voting who are abroad.

Even those who are stationed abroad? Armed forces personnel? Consulate people? What about CDN's who work overseas or in the US as asked by their employer? Sme people have vacation homes overseas , winter homes, and they shouldnt either?

And since you love all things American, I suppose you want to tell the estimated 700,000 Americans living in Canada that they cant vote in US elections?

[mikedavid00]

Even those who are stationed abroad? Armed forces personnel? Consulate people? What about CDN's who work overseas or in the US as asked by their employer? Sme people have vacation homes overseas , winter homes, and they shouldnt either?

And since you love all things American, I suppose you want to tell the estimated 700,000 Americans living in Canada that they cant vote in US elections?

You know what I mean.

There are work permits, and then there is just.. well...

living.

People abroad hold our citizenship incase they need a triple bypass.

They should not be Canadian citizens.