Don't make me any promises
Next Monday Canadians go to the polls in yet another federal election. As a woman, especially a woman of colour, I believe I have a duty to those who came before me, who fought and were imprisoned on my behalf (see these two resources - Iron Jawed Angels and Women's Suffrage in Canada), to get my butt down to the polling station. Exercising this right is not something I take for granted. So, this Monday I will be one of the only (and expected to be less than) 61% of Canadians who vote - see article Shades of Voter Apathy.
The theories about the reason for voter apathy abound but the only one that rings true for me is the theory that Canadians are cynical and jaded. I know that's how I feel.
Do politicians really think they can buy my vote by making me promises that I know they can't or have no intention of keeping? "Vote for us, we'll lower your taxes. Vote for us, we'll put more cops on the streets. Vote for us, we'll get you that knee replacement in no time. Vote for us, we'll put a chicken in every pot." Oh please! I don't want to hear your promises because I don't believe you.
And don't try to win my vote by telling me why I shouldn't vote for the other guy. That tactic is even more insulting to me than making empty promises. Why is it that every campaign advertisement I have seen and heard is nothing more than a put down of someone else? "Don't vote for that guy because he said blank about your mama." I want to know why I should vote for you not why I should vote against your opponent.
You want to know what will remedy voter apathy and win my vote? It's simple - a vision. Canada needs a leader with a vision. A vision which will engage our youth, offer security to our seniors and inspire the rest of us. A vision which will inform our economic decisions and foreign and domestic policy. A vision which will strive for solutions to repair our social safety net. A vision which will protect the human and civil right of every citizen and ensure the separation of church and state. A vision which will safeguard our natural resources and look beyond today's profits to tomorrow's environmental legacy.
Until we have such a vision, such a leader, Canadians will continue to vote in knee-jerk reaction against something rather than for something.
The theories about the reason for voter apathy abound but the only one that rings true for me is the theory that Canadians are cynical and jaded. I know that's how I feel.
Do politicians really think they can buy my vote by making me promises that I know they can't or have no intention of keeping? "Vote for us, we'll lower your taxes. Vote for us, we'll put more cops on the streets. Vote for us, we'll get you that knee replacement in no time. Vote for us, we'll put a chicken in every pot." Oh please! I don't want to hear your promises because I don't believe you.
And don't try to win my vote by telling me why I shouldn't vote for the other guy. That tactic is even more insulting to me than making empty promises. Why is it that every campaign advertisement I have seen and heard is nothing more than a put down of someone else? "Don't vote for that guy because he said blank about your mama." I want to know why I should vote for you not why I should vote against your opponent.
You want to know what will remedy voter apathy and win my vote? It's simple - a vision. Canada needs a leader with a vision. A vision which will engage our youth, offer security to our seniors and inspire the rest of us. A vision which will inform our economic decisions and foreign and domestic policy. A vision which will strive for solutions to repair our social safety net. A vision which will protect the human and civil right of every citizen and ensure the separation of church and state. A vision which will safeguard our natural resources and look beyond today's profits to tomorrow's environmental legacy.
Until we have such a vision, such a leader, Canadians will continue to vote in knee-jerk reaction against something rather than for something.
3 Comments:
Having read this 4 or 5 times now, I keep trying to think of a response other than "right on!" but haven't managed to. Each and every word applies not only to Canada but most of the "free" world!
alan
I am glad you talked about voter apathy. I was talking to my sister the other day and she said she wasn't going to vote because she was disgusted. A day or so later I saw a news item from Halifax of veterans who served in the 2nd World War and they were all saying that people should get out and vote. They fought for that basic freedom and people should vote. I agree they should vote. The way I look at is, if you don't vote you don't have a right to bitch later when you don't like the government that is formed.
Substitute USA for Canada, and you've seen inside my head. It's more than slightly horrifying to realize that the apathy has set in everywhere. I will continue to honor the sacrifice family and others have made to secure my right to vote, that is a given. I would imagine it to be wonderful to vote for something/someone other than the lesser of the two evils,
~~Cath~~
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