We've got another federal election coming and what I've been hearing is how sick we are of elections and how few people are going to bother voting.
How dare you?
People in Middle Eastern countries are protesting and dying for changes in their governments. We get one handed to us and we can't be bothered to care.
I spoke to many Egyptian people while Mike and I were stranded there during the protests.
Do you know what they wanted initially?
Fair elections.
They were willing to let Hosni Mubarak stay in office until the next scheduled election in September if only he would promise to step down and to not rig the outcome.
Such as simple request. After 30 years all they wanted was the chance of a fair election where their vote actually meant something.
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| Egyptian protesters after being tear gassed. |
It wasn't later that they decided they'd had enough and wanted his ouster. I suspect the only reason he stayed as long as he did after the protests began was he needed the time to salt away the bilions of dollars he'd stolen over the years.
Meanwhile, we have an election about nothing that despite all his protests I am sure Stephen Harper did some slick back room engineering to get.
We have a chance to have our voices heard in an election that,while engineered, will not be rigged.
We should be grateful for this opportunity, not bored and apathetic.
All of you who can't be bothered to vote --as is your right in this country-- need a refresher course in what living in a democracy means.
Maybe you should get out more. See the world. Spend a few days stuck in a police state during political upheaval. Maybe then you'll appreciate what you've got.
14 comments:
I'm sick of elections, but I'm going to vote. I've been involved in politics since the age of six (!) and there is nothing more energizing than seeing the democratic process at work. We're lucky to have a choice, and a voice.
Great post.
Not being Canadian, i can only speak to the idea that lovers of freedom everywhere need to protect it and vote whenever the opportunity is presented.
The same voter apathy often takes over here in the U.S. also, and i agree that it is sickening.
Six?! Go you! We are lucky, Laurita. I wish more of us understood that.
Thanks.
Messymimi, yes, yes, yes.
I will always vote. Many folks in my country died for that right and I wouldn't want to waste it.
I think your post title should be a banner hung across every polling place!
Well said.
David, same here.
Bossy Betty, that's quite a compliment. Thanks.
Thanks, Chris.
I think you should submit that to all the newspapers across Canada. I will always vote, even if the choice is between bad and worse.
Thanks, Reb. It would make an interesting addition to any editorial page.
Well said, Leah. I wouldn't consider not voting.. it's just wrong.
Grrhh! Blogger just ate my comment.
My main point was that I believe it is selfish not to vote when so many people have died fighting for democracy.
Hear, hear, cousin! Well said, and I agree, Canadians need to remember that we are lucky to live in a country where we have the privilege of being allowed to vote!
Here! Here!
Well said Leah.
This needs to be posted everywhere!
Thank you, Hilary. Glad to know it.
I agree, Dawn.
Thanks, Bag Lady. I don't know why we've gotten so complacent. And useless.
Thank you, Dawn.
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