post-vote anger

[eliyes]

I am so very disappointed in a lot of the people in my country right now.

It's not even because Harper's back as PM and I don't want him.

Not even sixty percent of Canadians voted. What the hell is that?! That's the lowest turnout on record. Over twenty-three million people could have voted. That's over ninety-two thousand votes that just never happened.

This morning, before it was even eight o'clock, I spoke to three people who hadn't voted. "What was the point? It turned out the same," they said. MAYBE IT WOULDN'T HAVE IF YOU HAD VOTED!

Seriously. I cannot believe this. Voting puts power into the hands of the people, and that so many people just didn't exercise it because they figured they didn't have power one way or another boggles my mind. What if there had been a strong tendency amongst those who didn't vote towards one particular party? The election could have turned out totally different!

Anyone reading this: if you live in a country where you can vote, I urge you to exercise that right whenever the opportunity presents itself. This is the world we live in, and it's up to us to do what we can to make it a better place. Yes, the people who run nations are the ones making decisions about national policies towards war, health, the environment, the economy, and all that important stuff -- but we're the ones who can decide who has that power.

It's up to you. Make your mark. Vote.

Comments

[kiffie.livejournal.com]

I need to re-register tomorrow (to ensure I am correctly registered). I will be thinking of you, my ely. *noms lovingly*

[eliyes.livejournal.com]

Good Kiffie. *noms back*

[anibunny.livejournal.com]

Growing up I remember my parents laughing about how their votes cancel each other out. But even still, they would still cast a ballot.

Plus there is more than just a PM or President. By not voting all together, it is a bit of a waste.

To be honest, I struggle with voting more and more each time. Not because I think "My vote doesn't count", just the more and more I get involved, the more I see how things are effed up on this side of the border.

I am curious to see if I am even eligible to vote this year. I moved at a very bad time and I don't know if I got my change of address in on time.

[eliyes.livejournal.com]

My parents typically vote for different parties, but since we have more parties than you guys, it's not the same thing. ;3

Yeah, the vote determines how many people of which party are in Parliament, and thus which way the government swings. We have a Senate and a House of Commons (we also have a Cabinet). We have, currently, a minority government -- the Conservatives are in power, but the other parties make up the bulk of seats in Parliament, I guess. After this election, the Tories actually have more power than they did before, but still not a majority.

Make sure you do inquire, Ani. *pets*

I'd love some pi~

[anibunny.livejournal.com]

Hee~ yeh. ;3;;

My state ( save for two counties ) they mail ballots to people. So I will know when I get my ballot. :x If it is my old address, I won't be able to vote ( I might be able to if I go into the auditor's office election day. ) as I went to a different county. Bleh.

Re: I'd love some pi~

[eliyes.livejournal.com]

You don't have time to register your new address?

[anibunny.livejournal.com]

You have to register/change your address 30 days before an election. So, I had to do it by October 4th. I didn't know my apartment address really until October 1st. So I got my change notice in the mail on October 3rd. . .I think. I was unable to go to the post office, so hopefully they got it the 3rd or the 4th and it is postmarked as such.

[eliyes.livejournal.com]

Fingers crossed!

[justlikemagic.livejournal.com]

Aw man...I don't even want to know how few US people vote...I'm scared.

[teriyakibroth.livejournal.com]

Little Jim and I voted. Mom and Dad didn't. To be fair though, they were at the hospital. I heard a lot of peeps were turned away for such trivial things such as old addresses on ids. The politics here are getting awfully frustrating.

[eliyes.livejournal.com]

Does he know you call him Little Jim? XD More importantly, why were your parents at the hospital? :O

[teriyakibroth.livejournal.com]

He is aware. Mom started it, I just perpetuate it.
Mom has had a cold for over 3 weeks. It was getting better but then got really bad again.Turns out it's not pneumonia, but two infections. Her meds just completely mess up her immune system. By the time her system gets back on it's feet she has to take her next iv treatment and then we're back a step one.

[eliyes.livejournal.com]

Eee. Well, at least it isn't pneumonia. I hope she gets better soon, hon.