The dust is settling, and it looks like we're in for... more of the same. Sure, the Conservatives have a few more seats. Sure, the Liberals suffered for their lack of overt leadership
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I really feel that all you're saying by not voting is that you don't care, and the politicians can do whatever they want. Which, seriously, is not the message I want them getting! Not to mention that they can feel free to ignore groups of citizenry that have especially low voter turnout when they're putting their platforms together, since they know they won't be losing any votes.
Argh, indeed! It's a vicious cycle, what with people who don't vote being further persuaded every time that their government doesn't really "represent" them, thereby justifying a failure to vote the next time around.
Not to mention, as you say, the demographics of it - sections of the population who are less likely to vote. When the general mood is in a left-leaning direction, this is somewhat mitigated by the fact that others are voting in (what is perceived to be) the best interest of this disenfranchised group. Nowadays, though, I don't think that such is nearly as often the case.
I voted, I always do, even when I feel like there's no point because it won't change anything. (The person I vote for always wins by a bunch or loses by a bunch. The only times I felt my vote was useful was when I lived at home and voted Lib against my Dad's Con vote.)
P.S. Compulsory voting - and put a "none of the above" option on the ballot - yes/no/nuanced answer?
"None of the above" still gives that cop-out of not actually participating. But compulsory voting (with associated fines) seems to work in other countries.
The problem is that we have become very reactive as a society: health care, education, voting/democracy... we don't act until the momentum is firmly against us. :(
I got that bit from this BBC bit, it's something they're considering.
Australia has compulsory voting, so it must be a good idea! :)
(I don't think we should enforce it like Bolivia does, though... If a Bolivian voter fails to participate in an election, the citizen may be denied withdrawal of his or her salary from the bank for three months.
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Argh.
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Not to mention, as you say, the demographics of it - sections of the population who are less likely to vote. When the general mood is in a left-leaning direction, this is somewhat mitigated by the fact that others are voting in (what is perceived to be) the best interest of this disenfranchised group. Nowadays, though, I don't think that such is nearly as often the case.
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I voted, I always do, even when I feel like there's no point because it won't change anything. (The person I vote for always wins by a bunch or loses by a bunch. The only times I felt my vote was useful was when I lived at home and voted Lib against my Dad's Con vote.)
P.S. Compulsory voting - and put a "none of the above" option on the ballot - yes/no/nuanced answer?
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The problem is that we have become very reactive as a society: health care, education, voting/democracy... we don't act until the momentum is firmly against us. :(
And hee on the eating of ballot!
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Australia has compulsory voting, so it must be a good idea! :)
(I don't think we should enforce it like Bolivia does, though... If a Bolivian voter fails to participate in an election, the citizen may be denied withdrawal of his or her salary from the bank for three months.
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Opting out of political participation is just giving your power to the people you feel are screwing you over.
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