Comments on: To Vote or Not To Vote http://www.suzemuse.com/2008/10/to-vote-or-not-to-vote/ Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:35:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: randy http://www.suzemuse.com/2008/10/to-vote-or-not-to-vote/comment-page-1/#comment-342 randy Thu, 23 Oct 2008 23:11:20 +0000 http://suzemuse.wordpress.com/?p=453#comment-342 So... you're saying I SHOULD vote? So… you’re saying I SHOULD vote?

]]> By: Robin http://www.suzemuse.com/2008/10/to-vote-or-not-to-vote/comment-page-1/#comment-350 Robin Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:02:42 +0000 http://suzemuse.wordpress.com/?p=453#comment-350 Great post Sue. I would add another excuse - and rebuttal. Excuse #4: The candidate I like in my riding isn't a member of the party that's going to form the government so what's the use in voting for them - they won't have any power. Rebutttal: That's why we have the Opposition - official and not. If you like a candidate in your riding that has a good chance of winning the riding, but isn't a member of the party likely to win, then vote for them so they can be a strong opposition voice in the House. The government will already have lots of yes men (and women). Democracy depends on opposition. Great post Sue. I would add another excuse – and rebuttal.
Excuse #4: The candidate I like in my riding isn’t a member of the party that’s going to form the government so what’s the use in voting for them – they won’t have any power.
Rebutttal: That’s why we have the Opposition – official and not. If you like a candidate in your riding that has a good chance of winning the riding, but isn’t a member of the party likely to win, then vote for them so they can be a strong opposition voice in the House. The government will already have lots of yes men (and women). Democracy depends on opposition.

]]> By: A Pretty Mess » Blog Archive » Canada Votes 2008: Election Day http://www.suzemuse.com/2008/10/to-vote-or-not-to-vote/comment-page-1/#comment-349 A Pretty Mess » Blog Archive » Canada Votes 2008: Election Day Tue, 14 Oct 2008 22:02:19 +0000 http://suzemuse.wordpress.com/?p=453#comment-349 [...] posted on voter apathy and the excuses you give not to vote and her reasons why you [...] [...] posted on voter apathy and the excuses you give not to vote and her reasons why you [...]

]]> By: Adam Seale http://www.suzemuse.com/2008/10/to-vote-or-not-to-vote/comment-page-1/#comment-348 Adam Seale Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:47:13 +0000 http://suzemuse.wordpress.com/?p=453#comment-348 The problem in areas that are "sold" to one party or the other is that people in those areas feel their votes won't count against the majority. This goes directly against the entire premise of democracy, which is supposed to give *equal voice* to the minority position, even if it isn't the final decision. This is just as relevant in the 'States as it is in Canada. For instance, I live in the state of Alabama down here in the deep south. Our state's votes in the presidential elections have gone almost unanimously to the Republican party for the past few decades. The problem isn't a lack of Democrat and independent voters; we actually have a quite a few democrats elected into state government positions. It's that they feel their state is so "back-water repub'," that they don't bother to rally together and go to vote. It applies in any democracy, and I'm glad to see someone speaking out about it. The problem in areas that are “sold” to one party or the other is that people in those areas feel their votes won’t count against the majority. This goes directly against the entire premise of democracy, which is supposed to give *equal voice* to the minority position, even if it isn’t the final decision.

This is just as relevant in the ‘States as it is in Canada.

For instance, I live in the state of Alabama down here in the deep south. Our state’s votes in the presidential elections have gone almost unanimously to the Republican party for the past few decades. The problem isn’t a lack of Democrat and independent voters; we actually have a quite a few democrats elected into state government positions. It’s that they feel their state is so “back-water repub’,” that they don’t bother to rally together and go to vote.

It applies in any democracy, and I’m glad to see someone speaking out about it.

]]> By: Ryan McKenna http://www.suzemuse.com/2008/10/to-vote-or-not-to-vote/comment-page-1/#comment-347 Ryan McKenna Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:34:16 +0000 http://suzemuse.wordpress.com/?p=453#comment-347 No-one's vote counts. Really. It's rigged, it's a game, it's all predetermined. Parliament, the Senate, they're all for show. Voting lends credibility to an antiquated system that continually insults the intelligence of all citizens by giving the illusion of democracy. For more, visit http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com No-one’s vote counts. Really. It’s rigged, it’s a game, it’s all predetermined. Parliament, the Senate, they’re all for show. Voting lends credibility to an antiquated system that continually insults the intelligence of all citizens by giving the illusion of democracy.
For more, visit http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com

]]> By: WTL http://www.suzemuse.com/2008/10/to-vote-or-not-to-vote/comment-page-1/#comment-346 WTL Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:22:55 +0000 http://suzemuse.wordpress.com/?p=453#comment-346 In my books, if you don't vote, I don't want to hear you whine about *anything* the government does until the next election. If you aren't happy with the electoral system, then find the others who think the same way and work at making a change. Until then though, vote for the person who you think will be open to your ideas - or - imagine this - ask them *before* the election. Voting is easy, fast and not a particularly challenging task. So, get out, vote, otherwise, be very quiet. In my books, if you don’t vote, I don’t want to hear you whine about *anything* the government does until the next election.

If you aren’t happy with the electoral system, then find the others who think the same way and work at making a change. Until then though, vote for the person who you think will be open to your ideas – or – imagine this – ask them *before* the election.

Voting is easy, fast and not a particularly challenging task. So, get out, vote, otherwise, be very quiet.

]]> By: mousewords http://www.suzemuse.com/2008/10/to-vote-or-not-to-vote/comment-page-1/#comment-345 mousewords Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:02:34 +0000 http://suzemuse.wordpress.com/?p=453#comment-345 That is so far better than the YouTube campaign, I just can't tell you. *Applause* for an awesome piece! That is so far better than the YouTube campaign, I just can’t tell you. *Applause* for an awesome piece!

]]> By: zchamu http://www.suzemuse.com/2008/10/to-vote-or-not-to-vote/comment-page-1/#comment-344 zchamu Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:16:41 +0000 http://suzemuse.wordpress.com/?p=453#comment-344 One thing people don't realize is that their vote for a certain party does result in that party getting money. So if you're a Green party supporter and you know your candidate doesn't have a hope in hell of winning, by voting for them anyway you put money in their coffers which will help them for the next election. But yes, we're apathetic. And it's largely because I think none of our candidates are inspiring. No matter who runs the joint it's all going to be more of the same. One thing people don’t realize is that their vote for a certain party does result in that party getting money. So if you’re a Green party supporter and you know your candidate doesn’t have a hope in hell of winning, by voting for them anyway you put money in their coffers which will help them for the next election.

But yes, we’re apathetic. And it’s largely because I think none of our candidates are inspiring. No matter who runs the joint it’s all going to be more of the same.

]]> By: Qrystal http://www.suzemuse.com/2008/10/to-vote-or-not-to-vote/comment-page-1/#comment-343 Qrystal Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:30:45 +0000 http://suzemuse.wordpress.com/?p=453#comment-343 Awesome summary! I wholeheartedly agree with your ways of countering all those excuses. I, too, worked at a polling station one year, and can also vouch for how efficient the process is -- especially if you have your voter card, but even without, it's not gonna take the three hours you can have off! One more thing I like to add, when I'm trying to convince someone to vote: if you don't vote, that's like forfeiting your right to complain about the government! That's not worth it, is it? So GO VOTE! Awesome summary! I wholeheartedly agree with your ways of countering all those excuses. I, too, worked at a polling station one year, and can also vouch for how efficient the process is — especially if you have your voter card, but even without, it’s not gonna take the three hours you can have off!

One more thing I like to add, when I’m trying to convince someone to vote: if you don’t vote, that’s like forfeiting your right to complain about the government! That’s not worth it, is it? So GO VOTE!

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