The Ultimate in Superficiality

[mowich]

The Ultimate in Superficiality

Being a CPAC devotee and dedicated political news junkie I have had ample opportunity over the weeks of this campaign to listen as voters speak of their reasons for not choosing certain candidates. I have heard people say they won’t vote for a person because they don’t like his hair; his eyes; his smile; his moustache; his gestures; her voice; the way she chooses to dress; her nasal tone, or the one that I truly love (not) that they are sneaky. Sneaky? Evil and scary are words they throw out but when questioned as to why they feel that way, have no concrete answer.

I have listened slack-jawed as they spew venom about policies, which exist only in their imagination. They have spoken about events that never took place and promises never made. I should admire their tenacity as they cling to these statements in the face of facts presented to them, yet I feel only despair of their incognizance and the magnitude of their shallowness.

I find myself questioning their rationale. What is it, if anything, that motivates these people? Do they not realize that their vote is precious and valuable? Do they not know that there are thousands of people in this world whose lives are threatened or ended because they have the courage to go to a polling station? Yet, there they stand in all their misplaced superiority telling the watchers these scurrilous reasons behind their vote. How dare they. How bloody dare they.

I am angered and outraged. I want to shake them and tell them to have some sense of decency. I want to be there with them at that moment and question them until they have finally come to the end of their faulty reasoning, willing them to listen to someone who does value the electoral process. I want to tell them how, no matter the times, I have voted and been disappointed; my vote is precious to me. It is a right won for me by men and women who died to make it so. I honor those men and those women by informing myself of the policies and platforms, which are presented by the various parties. When I go to mark my ballot I know exactly why I am voting for that person and I can defend my vote knowing that it is based on a thorough knowledge of my candidate and their party. My vote is a reminder to me always of the fact that I am privileged to live in a democracy. A democracy that is the result of lives given to ensure that we the citizens have the right to decide who will govern our country. It never was and never will be a right that should be taken lightly.

[Slim MacSquinty]

Thank you, we all need to be reminded of that sometimes. These discussion boards and the recent blogs have done wonders to counter the superficial "news" on TV.

The political partisanship and in particular the desperation of the Libs is the result of a government system that allows to many "spoils" for the victors which promotes the clinging to power for the various perks as opposed to the old concept of public service.

We need to change this system to remove this pork barrel mentality.

[Guest eureka]

There is much in waht movich says - some could be argued on practical grounfd but that is neither here nor there.

Did you Slim, have to demonstrate your lack of understanding of the spirit of the post by trying to colour it with political partisanship?

[Boru]

You took the words right out fo my mouth. This is most definately not a partisan issue. This applies to Coservative supporters as much as Lsocial supporters. Some very valid points raised here.

You pointedly remarked that some people take their right to vote lightly. That's very true. But you have to remember that it is human anture to covet what we don't have, and to take what we do have for granted.

You can shake them all you want, but it will change very little.

At least they are voting...which is more than can be said for many...

[August1991]

Do they not know that there are thousands of people in this world whose lives are threatened or ended because they have the courage to go to a polling station? Yet, there they stand in all their misplaced superiority telling the watchers these scurrilous reasons behind their vote. How dare they. How bloody dare they.

....

When I go to mark my ballot I know exactly why I am voting for that person and I can defend my vote knowing that it is based on a thorough knowledge of my candidate and their party. My vote is a reminder to me always of the fact that I am privileged to live in a democracy. A democracy that is the result of lives given to ensure that we the citizens have the right to decide who will govern our country. It never was and never will be a right that should be taken lightly.

Is the right to vote the distinctive feature and defining characteristic of a democracy?

Few people vote in municipal elections in Canada, does that mean our cities are less democratic? Would you say that Canadian municipal governments are more or less responsive to people's wishes than, say, the federal government?

[Hicksey]

Now, I know we can have many arguments over the premise of how the Iraq elections came about. But we should take notice of something. The Iraqis valued their newfound freedom to choose so highly that nearly 70% of eligible voters showed up to vote in their first democratic vote amidst threats of violence, and a few actual acts of it. Iraqis showed up with their very lives on the line in numbers 42% higher than Canadians did (49% in 2004) with no such fear.

That Canadians would put up such a poor showing compared to people who had to risk their lives to enter a polling station should make all of us sick.

[Boru]

Make us sick? A bit strong... Their freedom is, as you said, newly acquired.

Why are people surprised that Canadians are complacent about a right they've had their entire lives?

[Kula]

I agree completely with the original post. My personal favourite though is "I don't like him because at a meeting he used a teleprompter". The guy is basing his vote on a teleprompter. I don't even try to set people like that straight. I just turn around and walk away.

Kula

[speaker]

I don't agree that basing ones opinions of someone on their appearance or demeanor in public is necessarily a superficial approach. At least it is equally as superficial as making the same decision based on the words of the person or his party. If a person has difficulty making eye contact, appears uneasy in an open forum, is lacking social skills when under the eye of voter scrutiny, it is likely that he/she is going beyond what they are comfortable with and probably can't handle the stress of the job itself.

It is true that the candidates go to candidate school to try to polish them and a PM candidate has gone through a lot of it so it's generally harder to see, but all the more reason to watch for that kind of behaviour or appearance. Anyone who has accepted party policies as indicative of particular party actions in the future is naive, and superficial.

The best option is to vote for the person who is the best candidate, no matter what party they are running for. Perhaps,,,, Perhaps if we all did this all the parties would take a little more time picking their candidates and would weed out the ones who are obviously a little too self-motivated.

[August1991]

I don't agree that basing ones opinions of someone on their appearance or demeanor in public is necessarily a superficial approach. At least it is equally as superficial as making the same decision based on the words of the person or his party.

If you had to go undergo heart surgery, is that how you would choose the person to operate? Would you buy a car based solely on the appearance of the seller?

If a person has difficulty making eye contact, appears uneasy in an open forum, is lacking social skills when under the eye of voter scrutiny, it is likely that he/she is going beyond what they are comfortable with and probably can't handle the stress of the job itself.

It is true that the candidates go to candidate school to try to polish them and a PM candidate has gone through a lot of it so it's generally harder to see, but all the more reason to watch for that kind of behaviour or appearance. Anyone who has accepted party policies as indicative of particular party actions in the future is naive, and superficial.

Successful politicians are going to be the very few people capable of maintaining eye contact even though they know they are not saying the truth. Anyone else will be quickly weeded out.

The best option is to vote for the person who is the best candidate, no matter what party they are running for. Perhaps,,,, Perhaps if we all did this all the parties would take a little more time picking their candidates and would weed out the ones who are obviously a little too self-motivated.

Who has the time to determine who is the best candidate and why bother going to the trouble when you only have one vote that will make no difference? You are better to spend your time looking for a better job, or looking for a better place to live, because then your research will pay off to you personally.

-----

Both the Liberals and Conservatives are projecting annual federal programme budgets around $200 billion dollars or about $6500 for each Canadian. I think it is fair to say that even politically-informed people posting to this forum would not spend $6500 in the same cavalier fashion as the way they are choosing to vote.

[Hicksey]

Make us sick? A bit strong... Their freedom is, as you said, newly acquired.

Why are people surprised that Canadians are complacent about a right they've had their entire lives?

I'm not surprised at all.

I don't think it's strong at all. When Canadians won't go to the polls because they can't be bothered, I think its a sad day for Canada. To think that people in other countries vote under a threat of death in higher numbers than Canadians do, is just speaks to how much Canadians really appreciate what millions of Canadians died for them to do.

Now, I'll you give that these days our schools don't teach enough about these things so unless people have the desire to look it up for themselves they'll never truly appreciate the sacrifices made yesteryear so they could live as they do today.

And today's politicians and their culture of entitlement, cronyism and pofiteering has turned people off to politics as well. The last 3 governments, the ones I have some knowledge of haven't escaped scandal. And incredibly, after public outcry, the level of scandal in each government at least meets (if not exceeds) the last.

However in my opinion this only means that Canadians need to pay more attention to politics and start holding their politicians accountable.

[speaker]

If I have to undergo heart surgery I am likely to have little say in who does it. However when I meet that surgeon and don't like his/her attitude I will certainly try to find an alternative.

It would be my hope that politicians who are elected because they can lie through their teeth and look you in the eye with all the sweet sincerity they can project will be the ones weeded out in time. Lies do have that ability to be seen at the most inappropriate times.

"Who has the time to determine who is the best candidate and why bother going to the trouble when you only have one vote that will make no difference? You are better to spend your time looking for a better job, or looking for a better place to live, because then your research will pay off to you personally."

I think the point of the post is dedicated to superficiality at election time and that is a serious contribution, we are trying to do a little more than that, at least some of us are. There was nothing in the original post to indicate that people had not heard what the politicians are saying. Perhaps they listened quite attentively, and watched, and perhaps even smelled the candidates and the cumulative decision was best expressed in the knowledge that a particular candidate looks like a puppet. And therefore perhaps is one.

[Argus]

First; there are scads of voters out there who never read the newspapers, never ever watch the news, and really go on bits and pieces grasped from conversations, overheard items from the radio, or commercials.

But they insist on voting, and are damned proud of their opinions, however sanctimonious and unlearned.

Second, this election, at least from the viewpoint of the Liberals, has been extraordinarily superficial. Last election was the same. Basically, they're into scaring people with lies, quotes taken out of context, and trumped up allegations, none of it on real, everyday issues.

Did you catch Martin today, in his big scary voice, talking about the conservatives having the most extreme right wing platform ever? Gee, how? Well, he didn't say. But it goes hand in hand with comparing everything the tories do to the Americans, gasping in horror that somehow the Tories are going to turn us into another United States.

[Hicksey]

First; there are scads of voters out there who never read the newspapers, never ever watch the news, and really go on bits and pieces grasped from conversations, overheard items from the radio, or commercials.

But they insist on voting, and are damned proud of their opinions, however sanctimonious and unlearned.

Second, this election, at least from the viewpoint of the Liberals, has been extraordinarily superficial. Last election was the same. Basically, they're into scaring people with lies, quotes taken out of context, and trumped up allegations, none of it on real, everyday issues.

Did you catch Martin today, in his big scary voice, talking about the conservatives having the most extreme right wing platform ever? Gee, how? Well, he didn't say. But it goes hand in hand with comparing everything the tories do to the Americans, gasping in horror that somehow the Tories are going to turn us into another United States.

I know, I have read the same news as you.

I never said there wasn't people like you and I that care and take great pride in voting. What I said was in regards to the other 50% that don't vote. Look at all the advanced polls, as well as being able to vote by mail and one can see just how far over backwards Elections Canada bends so people can vote without being inconvenienced.

And still but a 49% turnout? Its a disgusting. As far as I am concerned, voting is our civic duty.

[newbie]

Second, this election, at least from the viewpoint of the Liberals, has been extraordinarily superficial. Last election was the same. Basically, they're into scaring people with lies, quotes taken out of context, and trumped up allegations, none of it on real, everyday issues.

Did you catch Martin today, in his big scary voice, talking about the conservatives having the most extreme right wing platform ever? Gee, how? Well, he didn't say. But it goes hand in hand with comparing everything the tories do to the Americans, gasping in horror that somehow the Tories are going to turn us into another United States.

Where in mowich's thread was the mention of bashing Liberals? This is supposed to be about superficiality of voters, not politicians.

[Argus]

Second, this election, at least from the viewpoint of the Liberals, has been extraordinarily superficial. Last election was the same. Basically, they're into scaring people with lies, quotes taken out of context, and trumped up allegations, none of it on real, everyday issues.

Did you catch Martin today, in his big scary voice, talking about the conservatives having the most extreme right wing platform ever? Gee, how? Well, he didn't say. But it goes hand in hand with comparing everything the tories do to the Americans, gasping in horror that somehow the Tories are going to turn us into another United States.

Where in mowich's thread was the mention of bashing Liberals? This is supposed to be about superficiality of voters, not politicians.

One begats the other. The question is, which came first?

[hellnback]

Mowich, you're certainly not alone in your sense of outrage. The unfortunate truth is that we

(Canadians) have been literally brainwashed into believing that we are somehow automatically superior

in every respect to the people of 'third world' countries, and that unrealistic ego seems to induce many

to believe that their every thought is ultimate truth. They see no need of political activism on their

part even extending to the right to vote. What they miss is that we are all being spoonfed hype and

spin from all political parties, each one seeking the 'sensational hook' that will appeal most to ego

bound gullibles.

The fact is that democracy is no better than other forms of government, but it was made to work by

the blood sweat and tears of countless generations before us.

That fact that should be constantly stressed, not just at election time, but all through every year

at all the schools of our very fortunate country.

Any thinking person will realize that our 'freedoms' are merely a collection of choices presented to us

by a political system that is severely flawed at best, and without constant alertness and objective

perception on the part of all voters we could very well find ourselves JOINING the ranks of third world countries.

[BubberMiley]

Liberal democracy has been enormously successful, but not by the bs&t of "countless" generations. A hundred and fifty years ago, Canada wasn't yet a democracy and totalitarian-inclined countries in South American were economic powerhouses by comparison. It was only in the second half of the the 20th century, after the Depression and WWII, that Canada has enjoyed a standard of living remarkably better than many third world countries. The bs&t of that generation helped a lot, but so did the social programs they set up and the relatively corruption-free democratic governments. This created a stable, predictable environment that is favourable for doing business and creating wealth.

Canada's prosperity is proof that the democratic system is superior to other systems of government. That doesn't mean we as a people are better, just that our system creates more wealth.