What 'the people' say

[reddy_the_tory]

In all the discussions I have seen here one thing always strikes me: We are all pretty well educated (and interested) in what will happen at the end of January. The question I have is...are Canadians interested? No, I don't think they are. Around the New Years supper table my family and I gathered and I suddenly realized that of all the registered voters at the table (9 of us)...I would be the only one voting. I know this from previous experience; My family doesn't care about elections...they say something like... "The government will do whatever they want to do anyways, I won't change that."

And the statistics prove it. The lowest voter turnout in Canadian History took place in the beginning of the hot summer season and was about 60%.

We can talk about Harper being a baffoon, Martin being a crook, Layton being a shmoe and Jean being a seperatist...but who really cares? A little under 4 million voted for Harper in the last election, and about a million more voted for Martin. Another 6 million or so, voted for someone else. Where were the other 10 million? No doubt sunbathing and not caring.

With all this talk about minority represenattion what do you say to the supporters of the NDP, BLOC and Greens? 'A miniority of Candians elected you, but let's not consider anything you're saying.' Also, a minority of Candians never bothered to vote. What are we REALLY going to do about these minoroties? Doesn't the government and the Charter of rights and freedoms deal with these people? No. Essentially, I am trying to make you realize that a lot of Canadians don't care about politics, I think our goal should be to find out why. Once we find that out, we should do everything in our power to change what we can do in politics to include a lot more then we do now. (Dare I say go the Austrailian option of mandatory voting...we'll get the results...but will people care?) If the voter turnout is anything below 65% again, we have more than a small problem on our hands.

[mowich]

In all the discussions I have seen here one thing always strikes me: We are all pretty well educated (and interested) in what will happen at the end of January. The question I have is...are Canadians interested? No, I don't think they are. Around the New Years supper table my family and I gathered and I suddenly realized that of all the registered voters at the table (9 of us)...I would be the only one voting. I know this from previous experience; My family doesn't care about elections...they say something like... "The government will do whatever they want to do anyways, I won't change that."

And the statistics prove it. The lowest voter turnout in Canadian History took place in the beginning of the hot summer season and was about 60%.

We can talk about Harper being a baffoon, Martin being a crook, Layton being a shmoe and Jean being a seperatist...but who really cares? A little under 4 million voted for Harper in the last election, and about a million more voted for Martin. Another 6 million or so, voted for someone else. Where were the other 10 million? No doubt sunbathing and not caring.

With all this talk about minority represenattion what do you say to the supporters of the NDP, BLOC and Greens? 'A miniority of Candians elected you, but let's not consider anything you're saying.' Also, a minority of Candians never bothered to vote. What are we REALLY going to do about these minoroties? Doesn't the government and the Charter of rights and freedoms deal with these people? No. Essentially, I am trying to make you realize that a lot of Canadians don't care about politics, I think our goal should be to find out why. Once we find that out, we should do everything in our power to change what we can do in politics to include a lot more then we do now. (Dare I say go the Austrailian option of mandatory voting...we'll get the results...but will people care?) If the voter turnout is anything below 65% again, we have more than a small problem on our hands.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Interesting that you should mention the Austrailian 'option'. I have been thinking along those lines myself. It certainly is worth a discussion. What do we gain or what do we lose by mandating that citizens vote. How about some opinions on the subject.

[shoop]

I personally don't favour that option. It shouldn't be a requirement to vote. People should be free to choose whether or not they want to go to the polling station.

I would see a *mandatory* vote as being an unnecessary restriction on personal choice.

(That being said, I am sure that a much greater percentage than 60% of the people on this site will go out and vote.)

Interesting that you should mention the Austrailian 'option'.  I have been thinking along those lines myself.  It certainly is worth a discussion. What do we gain or what do we lose by mandating that citizens vote.  How about some opinions on the subject.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Slim MacSquinty]

People don't give a damn because they feel (with cause) that all the politicians lie to them.

[RB]

People don't give a damn because they feel (with cause) that all the politicians lie to them.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

reddy_the_tory Posted Yesterday, 04:24 PM

The lowest voter turnout in Canadian History took place in the beginning of the hot summer season and was about 60%.

Perhaps, this is a reason why I received 3 Voter Information Card, one for my first name and 2 for my middle names.

[RB]

People don't give a damn because they feel (with cause) that all the politicians lie to them.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

reddy_the_tory Posted Yesterday, 04:24 PM

The lowest voter turnout in Canadian History ....... was about 60%.

Perhaps, this is a reason why I received 3 Voter Information Card, one for my first name and 2 for my middle names.

[Slim MacSquinty]

One for you two for e-bay?

[RB]

One for you two for e-bay?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

but thats illegal isn't it?

Anyway why haven't we implemented e-voting - maybe it would tap into the young votes

[Canuck E Stan]

Maybe this is the way to get the turn-out.

Countries which have some form of compulsory voting

Might get some interest in the politics of your country too.