Worthless Election?
Sitting here with my husband watching the election results, I wonder whether or not it was worth casting a vote today. My vote did not get anybody elected, nor did it change the government in any way. It is easy to see how so many people can become disenfranchised and just give up on politics. I can't do that, though, no matter how 'worthless' my vote was. I think it is so important to get out there, inform yourself, and vote. So many people died and suffered for us women to have the vote, and too many women forget those sacrifices. Too many people forget the sacrifices of our veterans who fought for us to have the right to democracy.
Are the results of this election due to poor voter turnout? The results are not completely in yet, so this could be part of the reason. If it is, how do we increase voter turnout? Are they due to people just 'going with the flow'? I read one quote where someone said that "the evil you know is better than the evil that you don't know." So, do people just continue to vote for Stephan Harper because they think they know what they are getting? (As to this, I do not think that we actually know what we are getting since it has been a minority government). Are people just not truly educating themselves as to each party's platform? Now, I am a true NDP supporter, have been since I started voting, and I have met quite a few people who will argue vehemently against them. I don't understand what people have against public programs that will help the weakest in our society become stronger members. What is wrong with a strong public education program? Our children are our future; we should give them everything they need in order to succeed and shape our world. What is wrong with helping youth go to post-secondary school in a world where it is almost necessary to have some sort of post-secondary education to get a job? Our youth are the ones who are going to be running our world and economy soon. Shouldn't we give them the best starting points that we can? What is wrong with a strong public health care system where doctors and nurses actually want to work? Everybody gets sick at some point in their life and will need to go to the doctor or hospital. Some people argue that they don't use the programs, so their tax dollars shouldn't go towards them. I believe this argument is invalid. You may not use the programs at the moment, but some day, you or someone you are close to will use them. I knew someone who was upset that their tax dollars went to education programs because they didn't have any children. This doesn't even make sense. The children that are in school will one day be our doctors, nurses, teachers, politicians, lawyers, garbage truck drivers, janitors, writers, and artists. Shouldn't we provide the people who will look after us with a strong basis of values in society? You yourself had to use the program, so if nothing else, you are paying for your own use. Why should wealthy corporations recieve the highest tax cuts? Many are already making record profits!
Anyway, enough ranting. Just my two cents about Canadian politics. Voting matters. Your vote, my vote, do make a difference. We need to rally the youth to get out and vote so that our voices can be heard!
Are the results of this election due to poor voter turnout? The results are not completely in yet, so this could be part of the reason. If it is, how do we increase voter turnout? Are they due to people just 'going with the flow'? I read one quote where someone said that "the evil you know is better than the evil that you don't know." So, do people just continue to vote for Stephan Harper because they think they know what they are getting? (As to this, I do not think that we actually know what we are getting since it has been a minority government). Are people just not truly educating themselves as to each party's platform? Now, I am a true NDP supporter, have been since I started voting, and I have met quite a few people who will argue vehemently against them. I don't understand what people have against public programs that will help the weakest in our society become stronger members. What is wrong with a strong public education program? Our children are our future; we should give them everything they need in order to succeed and shape our world. What is wrong with helping youth go to post-secondary school in a world where it is almost necessary to have some sort of post-secondary education to get a job? Our youth are the ones who are going to be running our world and economy soon. Shouldn't we give them the best starting points that we can? What is wrong with a strong public health care system where doctors and nurses actually want to work? Everybody gets sick at some point in their life and will need to go to the doctor or hospital. Some people argue that they don't use the programs, so their tax dollars shouldn't go towards them. I believe this argument is invalid. You may not use the programs at the moment, but some day, you or someone you are close to will use them. I knew someone who was upset that their tax dollars went to education programs because they didn't have any children. This doesn't even make sense. The children that are in school will one day be our doctors, nurses, teachers, politicians, lawyers, garbage truck drivers, janitors, writers, and artists. Shouldn't we provide the people who will look after us with a strong basis of values in society? You yourself had to use the program, so if nothing else, you are paying for your own use. Why should wealthy corporations recieve the highest tax cuts? Many are already making record profits!
Anyway, enough ranting. Just my two cents about Canadian politics. Voting matters. Your vote, my vote, do make a difference. We need to rally the youth to get out and vote so that our voices can be heard!
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