i know y'all have started a thread on politics, but i thought it might be important to mention the following in a separate area...
i've spent years debating the issue of low-voter turnout in my own head, because at first i just couldn't understand why people don't vote. given my profession, i've had the chance to talk to lots of people -- strangers and friends alike -- about why it is that they don't cast ballots during elections at any government level. i usually argue a good line about why people should vote, but was stumped by a very good friend who said that he didn't vote because he felt that marking an X beside a candidates' name meant that he personally supported that person -- and unless he knew that candidate on more than a name-recognition level, then he felt it would be falsely supporting someone.
perhaps it's a case of taking the vote too seriously, but that got me to thinking about what exactly is important about elections. this is the rationale i've come up with: it's not necessarily about politics, because not everyone seems to care about the minutae of political happenings -- and fair enough. if i didn't need to know all the crap going on for work, i probably wouldn't read it too. and we shouldn't vote because \"if you don't, you have no reason to complain.\" some people just don't complain period, so this becomes a moot point.
so for those who don't care about the outcome, who believe all politicians are the same, and are apathetic as to whether or not their vote makes a difference, i say this:
go to the polling station and pick up your ballot. why? because you can -- it's your right, as a Canadian citizen, to pick up that piece of paper. if you're that apathetic about politics, then return the ballot blank (yes, legally you are allowed to do this). you can spoil your ballot also if you so choose (you're allowed to do this too). what you can't do is eat the ballot (those elections officers will not only look at you funny, but perhaps fine you. tampering with ballots is a no-no).
and then you're done.
people have lived their whole lives wishing they'd be given the opportunity to vote. many have DIED waiting for that wish to be realized, or trying to have it realized. we get it free of charge, with no threat to life or limb.
so to those obstinate non-voters, i ask you please: go and pick up your ballot so at the very least you can say you held it in your hand. it ain't the perfect solution, but it would be a step in the right direction.
