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My stomach turned when, during a class discussion about politics, a quiet voice huffed and said: “Oh well, I’m not gonna vote when I can, anyway.”
Somehow, no matter how hard I try, I can’t think of even one single reason why any eligible voter in Canada shouldn’t or wouldn’t vote. On the other hand, I can think of countless reasons why they should...
Item #1: Saudi Arabia
National elections and the creation of political parties are forbidden.
Item #2: Kuwait
Only 10% of the population is allowed to vote.
Item #3: Oman
The country’s sultan, a position he got by being the right guy’s son, has absolute power over the entire country.
Item #4: Libya
All media is monitored and controlled by the government.
Item #5: Equatorial Guinea
The President can dismiss cabinet members as he pleases, make laws on his own terms, and control all military activity. Most of his subjects live on less than 1 dollar a day. His annual salary is 370 000 000 Euros.
Item #6: Turkmenistan, Cameroon, China, Cuba, North Korea, Laos, Vietnam and Syria
All of these countries are ruled by one party-one voice-one choice governments.
Item #7: Sudan
The same President has held absolute political power for 18 years. Human rights have been ridiculed. The citizens can’t do anything about it.
Item #8: Canada
Lucky us, we’re blessed with a true democracy. Too bad we spit in its face. Citizens can form and join political parties as they please. All representatives are chosen through elections. If the people don’t like something, they can fight it. If the people want something, they can ask for it. The people are the Party.
Item #9: Oh-So-Wonderful Parliament
Each of Canada’s 4 federal parties represent different values. The Conservatives value tradition, the Liberals value individual rights, the NDP value economic equality and the Bloc Québécois fights for the sovereignty of Québec. Provincially, there are even more parties, representing an even bigger combination of voices. Each party is created by Canadians, for Canadians.
Item #10: The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Few countries respect basic human rights and freedoms (see items 1-8). Our country guarantees them. Canadians have it all: Choices, the freedom to make choices, the right to make choices... and still. Many eligible voters in our beautiful country just don’t care. Voter turn-out has dived head first towards all-time lows since the late 80s, only swimming deeper with each passing election.
And now for the top five lamest excuses not to vote...
Reason #5 - “I’m not old enough to vote.”
Okay, it’s a pretty good excuse. But get informed! Learn about the parties and candidates and decide where you fit in. No one is too young to have an opinion.
Reason #4 - “Politics don’t affect me.”
Politics = everything: the sidewalk you use to get to your bus stop, the bus you take, the road it rides on, the red light it stops at, the classrooms you learn in, the teachers in them, the curriculum they teach you, what you’re paid at your job, how you’re treated there...
Reason #3 - “I’m not interested in politics.”
Everyone is interested in something and since politics = everything, your something fits in there. No one’s asking you to be an expert, just know which way you sway.
Reason #2 - “I don’t get it.”
There really isn’t much to get. You know what you like and you know what you don’t like. Simply choose which party or candidate you think best represents your values. It’s not always an easy decision, however re-read Items 1-10 and let me know if you think it’s worth it.
Reason #1 - “I don’t have the time.”
You don’t have the time to make an ‘X’ in a circle? In Ontario’s last provincial election, advanced voting was open during a 2 week period from 12pm-8pm. On Election Day, polls were open from 9am-9pm. Yeah, they really made sure we had no excuse this time.
One of the most common mistakes is that we don’t think it will matter if we don’t vote because “someone else” will. Well, if you think “someone else” will, but that “someone else” thinks “someone else” will, and that “someone else” thinks “someone else” will... well then, who will?
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Writer Profile
Lynne Lessard
Hi! My name is Lynne and I live in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. I'm an undergrad at the University of Ottawa, where I am studying International Development and Global Studies, and Arabic Language and Culture.
I enjoy writing poetry, music and short essays. I hope you enjoy my pieces, and would love to hear from you! :)
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Comments
Totally agree Giorgio Tinelli | May 12th, 2008
I totally agree with you. People that don't have the time to vote should spend 6 months of "internship" in one of those countries where this basic element of freedom is forbidden
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