Youth and politics

[Cameron]

I'd like to discuss the lack of youth in politics. There seems to be an overall hate for politics among youth in this country. Many time when I'm at the door canvasing I get the old "I don't really care about politics".

This is a portion of the article that was written in today's local paper about youth. And Cameron Craig, is me in the article (hence why I'm using it )

Young & getting involved

While it’s been increasing difficult to get younger people involved, a few twentysomethings in Nova Scotia are indeed politically motivated

By QUENTIN CASEY

Dave Dalley wipes snow off a clipboard containing a list of voters’ names and addresses. It’s his first day on the job as a volunteer with the Conservative campaign in the riding of Halifax, and he’s out canvassing door to door with candidate Andrew House.

Mr. Dalley, 22, is a rare breed: a young Canadian who is politically motivated. He got involved with the current federal election because of a single issue — post-secondary education.

"It’s a disaster the way post-secondary education has been handled," he said in a recent interview. A Dalhousie University commerce graduate last October, Mr. Dalley knows about high tuition fees and rising student debt. He feels the Conservatives are the best choice when it comes to funding university education.

It’s for that reason the Gander, N.L.,. native decided to give up some spare time to help his local candidate.

Mr. Dalley said most of his peers are preoccupied with other concerns and don’t pay much attention to the political system. There is also a sense they can’t make a difference, he said. "They feel their vote doesn’t count."

His assessment appears to be accurate.

Numbers from Elections Canada show only one-quarter of voters between 18 and 24 turned out to the polls in the 2000 federal election, and the trend is intensifying. Its website says: "Not only are young people participating less than their elders, their willingness to participate appears to be declining."

The reasons given for this decrease vary, from low levels of political knowledge to a plummeting sense of civic involvement.

"A lot of youth couldn’t care less, it’s so remote to them," said Cameron Craig, 23, who is also working on the House campaign. "It’s really unfortunate."

Mr. Craig of Halifax joined the federal Conservative party 2½ years ago. "I got tired of the promises," he said of the Liberal government. "So I decided to do something."

Like Mr. Dalley, he is also canvassing door to door in the snow. Earlier in the morning he was part of a group on the corner of Coburg Road and Robie Street, waving to commuters.

Since the beginning of the campaign he has spent most days helping out in some way. He also volunteered during the 2004 election for the Conservative candidate in the riding.

"It’s something I thoroughly enjoy," he said.

Some members of his generation view politics as boring, Mr. Craig said. But he’s got a message for them: "Get out there and vote. It’s your right."

Mr. Craig, who hopes to run for public office one day, said he hopes his efforts will help solve the "lack of action of the federal level." ....

The rest..

[politika]

I'd like to discuss the lack of youth in politics. There seems to be an overall hate for politics among youth in this country. Many time when I'm at the door canvasing I get the old "I don't really care about politics".

This is a portion of the article that was written in today's local paper about youth. And Cameron Craig, is me in the article (hence why I'm using it )

Young & getting involved

While it’s been increasing difficult to get younger people involved, a few twentysomethings in Nova Scotia are indeed politically motivated

By QUENTIN CASEY

Dave Dalley wipes snow off a clipboard containing a list of voters’ names and addresses. It’s his first day on the job as a volunteer with the Conservative campaign in the riding of Halifax, and he’s out canvassing door to door with candidate Andrew House.

Mr. Dalley, 22, is a rare breed: a young Canadian who is politically motivated. He got involved with the current federal election because of a single issue — post-secondary education.

"It’s a disaster the way post-secondary education has been handled," he said in a recent interview. A Dalhousie University commerce graduate last October, Mr. Dalley knows about high tuition fees and rising student debt. He feels the Conservatives are the best choice when it comes to funding university education.

It’s for that reason the Gander, N.L.,. native decided to give up some spare time to help his local candidate.

Mr. Dalley said most of his peers are preoccupied with other concerns and don’t pay much attention to the political system. There is also a sense they can’t make a difference, he said. "They feel their vote doesn’t count."

His assessment appears to be accurate.

Numbers from Elections Canada show only one-quarter of voters between 18 and 24 turned out to the polls in the 2000 federal election, and the trend is intensifying. Its website says: "Not only are young people participating less than their elders, their willingness to participate appears to be declining."

The reasons given for this decrease vary, from low levels of political knowledge to a plummeting sense of civic involvement.

"A lot of youth couldn’t care less, it’s so remote to them," said Cameron Craig, 23, who is also working on the House campaign. "It’s really unfortunate."

Mr. Craig of Halifax joined the federal Conservative party 2½ years ago. "I got tired of the promises," he said of the Liberal government. "So I decided to do something."

Like Mr. Dalley, he is also canvassing door to door in the snow. Earlier in the morning he was part of a group on the corner of Coburg Road and Robie Street, waving to commuters.

Since the beginning of the campaign he has spent most days helping out in some way. He also volunteered during the 2004 election for the Conservative candidate in the riding.

"It’s something I thoroughly enjoy," he said.

Some members of his generation view politics as boring, Mr. Craig said. But he’s got a message for them: "Get out there and vote. It’s your right."

Mr. Craig, who hopes to run for public office one day, said he hopes his efforts will help solve the "lack of action of the federal level." ....

The rest..

I think youth are not interested in politics because theirs not enough pushing at school to vote. I am 16 turning 17 in a month and I have been interested in politics since i was 13 and I cannot wait to vote. I think the best thing for youth to get them to vote is having their peers, people the same age as them like me teling them why they should vote and kind of pushing them along as to their role in Canadian soceity. I think it would help alot because knowing that somone the same age as you is interested in this kind of thing really helps and they are more likely to listen to their peers than older adults preaching to them.

[geoffrey]

I'd like to discuss the lack of youth in politics. There seems to be an overall hate for politics among youth in this country. Many time when I'm at the door canvasing I get the old "I don't really care about politics".

This is a portion of the article that was written in today's local paper about youth. And Cameron Craig, is me in the article (hence why I'm using it )

Young & getting involved

While it’s been increasing difficult to get younger people involved, a few twentysomethings in Nova Scotia are indeed politically motivated

By QUENTIN CASEY

Dave Dalley wipes snow off a clipboard containing a list of voters’ names and addresses. It’s his first day on the job as a volunteer with the Conservative campaign in the riding of Halifax, and he’s out canvassing door to door with candidate Andrew House.

Mr. Dalley, 22, is a rare breed: a young Canadian who is politically motivated. He got involved with the current federal election because of a single issue — post-secondary education.

"It’s a disaster the way post-secondary education has been handled," he said in a recent interview. A Dalhousie University commerce graduate last October, Mr. Dalley knows about high tuition fees and rising student debt. He feels the Conservatives are the best choice when it comes to funding university education.

It’s for that reason the Gander, N.L.,. native decided to give up some spare time to help his local candidate.

Mr. Dalley said most of his peers are preoccupied with other concerns and don’t pay much attention to the political system. There is also a sense they can’t make a difference, he said. "They feel their vote doesn’t count."

His assessment appears to be accurate.

Numbers from Elections Canada show only one-quarter of voters between 18 and 24 turned out to the polls in the 2000 federal election, and the trend is intensifying. Its website says: "Not only are young people participating less than their elders, their willingness to participate appears to be declining."

The reasons given for this decrease vary, from low levels of political knowledge to a plummeting sense of civic involvement.

"A lot of youth couldn’t care less, it’s so remote to them," said Cameron Craig, 23, who is also working on the House campaign. "It’s really unfortunate."

Mr. Craig of Halifax joined the federal Conservative party 2½ years ago. "I got tired of the promises," he said of the Liberal government. "So I decided to do something."

Like Mr. Dalley, he is also canvassing door to door in the snow. Earlier in the morning he was part of a group on the corner of Coburg Road and Robie Street, waving to commuters.

Since the beginning of the campaign he has spent most days helping out in some way. He also volunteered during the 2004 election for the Conservative candidate in the riding.

"It’s something I thoroughly enjoy," he said.

Some members of his generation view politics as boring, Mr. Craig said. But he’s got a message for them: "Get out there and vote. It’s your right."

Mr. Craig, who hopes to run for public office one day, said he hopes his efforts will help solve the "lack of action of the federal level." ....

The rest..

I think youth are not interested in politics because theirs not enough pushing at school to vote. I am 16 turning 17 in a month and I have been interested in politics since i was 13 and I cannot wait to vote. I think the best thing for youth to get them to vote is having their peers, people the same age as them like me teling them why they should vote and kind of pushing them along as to their role in Canadian soceity. I think it would help alot because knowing that somone the same age as you is interested in this kind of thing really helps and they are more likely to listen to their peers than older adults preaching to them.

Alot of the problem with the youth vote is that they have only seen a Liberal government. An 18 year old would have no memory of a conservative government. Its hard to convince someone to vote when the outcome appears always the same.

If the CPC wins this election, you'll see youth vote numbers increase again. And a shift to the right in youth voting patterns.

[Harare]

Involvement in politics involves

a/ Believing that it is a fair process

b/ Having a belief that your vote counts

c/ The ability to see thru the propoganda and the ability to think and reason and debate.

It would help the youth to get involved if our schools had a required course on "How to think" instead of the current system of learning by rote.

A debating club would also help a great deal

Having a way to vote from your computer would also bring in a lot of youth votes, I think.

[geoffrey]

Involvement in politics involves

a/ Believing that it is a fair process

b/ Having a belief that your vote counts

c/ The ability to see thru the propoganda and the ability to think and reason and debate.

It would help the youth to get involved if our schools had a required course on "How to think" instead of the current system of learning by rote.

A debating club would also help a great deal

Having a way to vote from your computer would also bring in a lot of youth votes, I think.

Philosophy in schools? I thought high school was completely irrelevant, and now philosophy?

Voting from computer would encourage many people to vote, not just youth. There is alot of potential for abuse though. If someone created such a system, I'm sure it would be great for the system, if your one of those that believe voter turnout is a good thing.

[Harare]

Philosophy in schools? I thought high school was completely irrelevant, and now philosophy?

No, not philosophy, debate = the ability to argue any topic from both sides of the issue.

Voting from computer would encourage many people to vote, not just youth. There is alot of potential for abuse though. If someone created such a system, I'm sure it would be great for the system, if your one of those that believe voter turnout is a good thing.

If revenue Canada and the banks can arrange for us to safely do our taxes or banking then there's no reasong not to vote in the same way.

Far better than busing in loads of senile seniors with trinkets and a smile to vote for your guy.

[Guest eureka]

Philosophy in schools migjt bring a much higher level of reasoning than is evident in these forums. It might also provide the future with some knowledge and understanding to apply their reasoning powers to: something else that is not evident in the forums.

[geoffrey]

Philosophy in schools migjt bring a much higher level of reasoning than is evident in these forums. It might also provide the future with some knowledge and understanding to apply their reasoning powers to: something else that is not evident in the forums.

I've sat (or slept ) through philosophy, I understand its importance in thinking and logic. However, teaching it in high school is too dangerous, for with every little spin you can put on it, you'll have these kids set in the ways of thinking just like their philosophy teacher. At least wait until they can make up their own mind.

It's an interesting idea. Just don't agree with it in high schools. Mandatory in universities? Aboslutely in agreement.

Harare, watching the busloads of seniors at the polling stations is a form of national entertainment, I really wish you wouldn't try to destroy this Canadian value. Not to mention, they probably would use computers, oh sorry "those blasted machines" to vote...

[Hollus]

I dont think this problem is exclusive to youth. Hw many people voted federally last time? Was'nt it somthing like 40% of the population? And how many of them were actually informed voters?

Theres no question that eduacation is the answer. I think the earlier the better. We need to start teaching kids about the driving forces of this world and that drinking 2L of pepsi a day isnt like being a pop star(there's no pun in that). The point is, Kids are subject to an overwelming amount of coercing information from the moment they learn the language; without proper intervention it makes an awfully confused person that doesnt no what they think about politics.

Just finished reading Enders Game by Orson Scott Card, great quote:

"children are a perpetual, self renewing underclass, helpless to escape from the descisions of adults untill they become adults themselves."

[newbie]

[quote name='geoffrey' date='Jan 15 2006, 02:12 PM' post='88656

Alot of the problem with the youth vote is that they have only seen a Liberal government. An 18 year old would have no memory of a conservative government.

Well, gee Geoff, why don't you describe the Mulroney years for the poor lad. Tell him how better off we were.

[Hydraboss]

Hold on for a moment everyone...just for a sec.

"\" I think youth are not interested in politics because theirs not enough pushing at school to vote. I am 16 turning 17 in a month and I have been interested in politics since i was 13 and I cannot wait to vote. I think the best thing for youth to get them to vote is having their peers, people the same age as them like me teling them why they should vote and kind of pushing them along as to their role in Canadian soceity. I think it would help alot because knowing that somone the same age as you is interested in this kind of thing really helps and they are more likely to listen to their peers than older adults preaching to them. "/"

If you are willing to vote when you're legal, then I have one thing to say to you.

Thank you.

Okay, you bunch of self righteous Lib's and ND's - game on.

[Spice]

Having a way to vote from your computer would also bring in a lot of youth votes, I think.

Honestly, if the current system of going to a local school gymnasium is too complex or too much work to bother voting, do we really want to get these people voting anyways?

[geoffrey]

[quote name='geoffrey' date='Jan 15 2006, 02:12 PM' post='88656

Alot of the problem with the youth vote is that they have only seen a Liberal government. An 18 year old would have no memory of a conservative government.

Well, gee Geoff, why don't you describe the Mulroney years for the poor lad. Tell him how better off we were.

I was making the point that Canada isn't the one party state many of us younger people have been exposed to. If you've only ever known the Liberals, why would you think this can change?

I am too young to recount Mulroney days myself.

[Big Blue Machine]

I think that of the problem is that young people is the elections are all attack ads, like there's no hope and you're only voting for the lesser of two evils. And all the scandals have aken away people's trust in government and there's not a very charasmatic leader in parliament today to get them excited.

[politika]

Having a way to vote from your computer would also bring in a lot of youth votes, I think.

Honestly, if the current system of going to a local school gymnasium is too complex or too much work to bother voting, do we really want to get these people voting anyways?

Why not?

[Chimera]

I think that of the problem is that young people is the elections are all attack ads, like there's no hope and you're only voting for the lesser of two evils. And all the scandals have aken away people's trust in government and there's not a very charasmatic leader in parliament today to get them excited.

BINGO.

There are only two instances when politics really make headlines: elections and scandals. Young people have become discouraged and believe that if the politician isn't crooked she will become so.

It also doesn't help that most politicians are stuffy old self-styled aristocrats.

[Boru]

If the CPC wins this election, you'll see youth vote numbers increase again. And a shift to the right in youth voting patterns.

That's quite an assumption to make. As a member of this youth being discussed here, I can say that it isn't an assumption of Liberal victory that drives us away from participation.

When chatting over lunch, political debate doesn't often figure in.

Consider the only two parties that have ever been elected. The Liberals and Conservatives. Are they really so different? What has this campaign been fought over?

Issues?--- Hello no.

Political Ideology? -- Only on a superficial level ( ie. Harper is a right wing devil, Layton is a communist...)

It has been fought over scandals, both real and imaginary. How much interest will this generate among the most ideal segment of Canada's population? Whether right wing or left wing, it's the youth that stand by their principles the most. In a two party system such as ours, an election that is focused on quibbling by 2 leaders who represent virtually the same thing, you cannot possibly expect to garner interest among the youth vote.

* I am going too far by calling our political system a 2 party system, especially in comparison to our southern neighbour, but I feel that ours unjustifiably supports the two tradiaionally incumbant parties.

Make Canadian politics more representative. How? It's as easy as relaxing the funding rules a little bit to allow the 2 fringe parties ( NDP and Green), to receive as much money as the Conservative and Liberal parties lavish on themselves to slime eachother to death over a two month election drive.

That would be a start.

If the CPC wins this election, you'll see youth vote numbers increase again. And a shift to the right in youth voting patterns.

A statement like this is oversimplistic and shows a lack of real motivation to understand why there is no youth interest in politics. This is just another one line blurb by a harper bandwagon hopper.

[geoffrey]

A statement like this is oversimplistic and shows a lack of real motivation to understand why there is no youth interest in politics. This is just another one line blurb by a harper bandwagon hopper.

Definately not on the bandwagon, I've been a Conservative member since the conception of the party, a PC member before that.

Maybe if you looked at the rest of what I had to say on this issue (in this thread) I raise very valid points.

[Boru]

A statement like this is oversimplistic and shows a lack of real motivation to understand why there is no youth interest in politics. This is just another one line blurb by a harper bandwagon hopper.

Definately not on the bandwagon, I've been a Conservative member since the conception of the party, a PC member before that.

Maybe if you looked at the rest of what I had to say on this issue (in this thread) I raise very valid points.

I read the entirety of your posts. You claimed that since we youth have only personally seen a Liberal govenrment, we cannot believe in any other outcome.

I left this one alone, because it may have some relevance to those youth who cannot read[/b. We may not have memories of it, but we can read. The infamous Mulroney governemnt is not ancient history...

Your remark on internet voting was a good one, if it could ever be made secure. Other than that, you just said there would be a definate conservative swing in youth.

I'm not qure why you'd think so, because youth have never voted Conservative. And it would be diofficult to imagine youth voting for Conservatism. The very essence of idealism that is the basis of the Left wing finds it's home base in univetsities...

So yes, your assumption of a rightward swing in Youth voting is based on nothing more than a bseless partisan comment.

[geoffrey]

I read the entirety of your posts. You claimed that since we youth have only personally seen a Liberal govenrment, we cannot believe in any other outcome.

I left this one alone, because it may have some relevance to those youth who cannot read[/b. We may not have memories of it, but we can read. The infamous Mulroney governemnt is not ancient history...

Your remark on internet voting was a good one, if it could ever be made secure. Other than that, you just said there would be a definate conservative swing in youth.

I'm not qure why you'd think so, because youth have never voted Conservative. And it would be diofficult to imagine youth voting for Conservatism. The very essence of idealism that is the basis of the Left wing finds it's home base in univetsities...

So yes, your assumption of a rightward swing in Youth voting is based on nothing more than a bseless partisan comment.

Actually, in the part of the country I come from (outside of Ontario sorry), there is a huge Conservative base among younger voters. At the U of C I'd argue most students are CPC supporters (maybe this is the only exception, I mean Tom Flanagan is faculty here ), and I probably wouldn't be too far from the truth if not dead on. Still, there is more than the Left at universities I'm sure.

Reading something in a book isn't understanding the situation at the time. Youth have never experienced first hand any alternative to the Liberals. Once they see that alternatives exist, and if these alternatives prove to improve their lives, I'm sure they'd have less hesitation to vote for them.

Most of the younger Liberals and NDP supporters I talk to really are against Harper and not for their parties (well maybe not the NDP supporters, but the Liberals definately work that way). Once they see Harper isn't the devil incarnate I'm sure they will motivated to vote for that party.

I'm sure the NDP would gain support to if an alternative party were accepted.

I just figure its hard to support something that you never have experienced. And remember, I'd also say less than 5% of voters in the youth category have read up on Mulroney, and I'd say about 25% at the most know even who he is. All they know is the Liberals, and thats why they'd be most likely to vote for them.

[Hollus]

How bout Party idiology? Or should I wait till harper offlaods all our federal programs to the provinces so my brilliant Premier Gordon Cambell can cut them alltogether?