How do we overcome voter apathy?

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

I have no opinion on a capped tuition either. Unless they raised it by over 20% (extreme values) I don't have an argument to raising tuition.

I guess a better question then is do you have an opinion on anything?

Kudos for your honesty. You've been the only one, far as I can tell.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

I guess a better question then is do you have an opinion on anything?

Kudos for your honesty. You've been the only one, far as I can tell.

Well I guess I should clarify. I have opinions, but typically on the provincial level and municipal level, I don't have an opinion on many of the of the promises they make. Also, if I am to form an opinion on something serious (ie. not just "to trade Tanguay or not to trade Tanguay") I like to know a lot about the situation, and usually I like to be the one making the decisions - not just voting on who represents me.

I have more opinions on a federal level and in the USA, because it would better reflect interests in life.

So honestly - if I don't have an opinion on the topics they argue, do you want my vote contaminating everyone else's? I'm honestly surprised by the reaction. I would have thought that those who do have interests at stake for this vote should be jumping up and down that those of us who don't have (worthwhile) interests at stakes stay on the sidelines.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

I have no opinion on a capped tuition either. Unless they raised it by over 20% (extreme values) I don't have an argument to raising tuition.

Actually, 20% is not that outlandish a figure. During my 4 years at the U of C, tuition was raised by 7% for four consecutive years. That adds up to more than a 20% increase, and although it was spread out, the effect of raising tuition is easy to measure in enrolment demographics and student debt averages upon graduation.

So you've identified the threshold which will make you care about politics. And I'm here to tell you it's happening, has happened and will happen. Why? As a direct result of apathy among young people. No, I'm not kidding. When faced with a funding crunch, universities have a choice: eliminate spending on administrative departments, most of whose members are protected by unions, or scale back on contractual obligations to staff or contractors, or ask the government to increase funding. ALL of those mean going up against interest groups that will put up a fight.

So what do they do? They raise tuition to the maximum allowed every year--and the reason why is simple. They know that although there will be a few lonely voices of protest, the vast majority of students will go along like sheep, all the while acting like "not caring" somehow elevates them above the fray. In the end, only a fraction of those students will even vote--and by their political inaction, they determine EXACTLY how much politicians care about their opinion.

Not caring affects you--and when you graduate it will affect you more. Don't interpret this as a lecture--I personally don't care if you ever vote. But don't kid yourself that you live in a democracy. If you don't vote, you live in a dictatorship governed by those that do.

[Phanuthier]

I don't go to UofC, I go to UofA. As far as I can see on my tuition, I haven't seen a 20% raise. I don't think its even raised at all.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

I don't go to UofC, I go to UofA. As far as I can see on my tuition, I haven't seen a 20% raise. I don't think its even raised at all.

I did my undergrad from 93-98.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Well I guess I should clarify. I have opinions, but typically on the provincial level and municipal level, I don't have an opinion on many of the of the promises they make. Also, if I am to form an opinion on something serious (ie. not just "to trade Tanguay or not to trade Tanguay") I like to know a lot about the situation, and usually I like to be the one making the decisions - not just voting on who represents me.

I have more opinions on a federal level and in the USA, because it would better reflect interests in life.

So honestly - if I don't have an opinion on the topics they argue, do you want my vote contaminating everyone else's? I'm honestly surprised by the reaction. I would have thought that those who do have interests at stake for this vote should be jumping up and down that those of us who don't have (worthwhile) interests at stakes stay on the sidelines.

Do you not see the hypocracy in this statement? You can't see why you should vote, BUT, if something did interest you, you would want to be the one making the decisions? That is what constituents do. They make decisions on your behalf. The decision you are responsible for and have control over is voting on the consituent to represent you.

Sorry, you dont' get to make the big decisions about what you truly care about, your elected representative has that power.

Sounds like you will have to run for public office if you want to make all the big decisions. Can I see your platform please? I want to see if what you stand for is compatible with what I vote for))

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

No
I take the bus once a week, does that count? I cross the road to school too. (I did drive a couple months ago, but no enough to have any opinion.)
I go to the university, not as big of an issue.
No

Sure you pay taxes if you live in Canada. Even if one assumes you don't have an income that you are being taxed on - you pay GST.

Do you not care how that money collected is used? It's your money.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Sure you pay taxes if you live in Canada. Even if one assumes you don't have an income that you are being taxed on - you pay GST.

Do you not care how that money collected is used? It's your money.

To be quite honest - not really. My don't pay tax yet, and I'm fine with paying whatever 5% or 8% they want to charge me. I don't go shopping much, so knowing my monthly expenses, I pay about $22.50 in taxes per month (GST). I can live with that ok.

When I do start working, I don't see myself in working in Canada in the future. I might in the short term, but not the long term. Canada doesn't really offer the opportunities in the field I am looking at, an d you go to where your job is, whether its Buffalo, Hillsboro, Boise or Silicon Valley.

I accept the fact that no matter what government goes in, there will be scandals and money wasted and I'm more or less resigned to it.

I'm probably one of the few people where provincial and municipal elections don't really affect me. I go to school and all my tuition is more or less covered for via scholarships, I don't go shopping much, I don't drive. In my free time, I play a ton of soccer, squash, wall climbing, camping, hiking, skiing, etc and like TV shows. Most of what I do is around me (school, bars, groceries) so I don't take transit often.

I'm sure candidate parties have a legitimately equal cases which concern people who do vote, wouldn't you want people who have vested interest in running parties to be putting in their 2 cents rather then someone who really doesn't care either way?

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

I'm sure candidate parties have a legitimately equal cases which concern people who do vote, wouldn't you want people who have vested interest in running parties to be putting in their 2 cents rather then someone who really doesn't care either way?

I think you do have a vested interest. Do you care about crime? Do you care about health care? Have you ever had a loved on get sick or need hopsital care? Do you anticipate that happening in the future? Do you intend on paying taxes in the future? Do you care about the funding that is provided to your university by the government? Do you care about the arts at all? Or amateur sports? Or having facilities like soccer fields in your city to play on?

All this matters.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I think you do have a vested interest. Do you care about crime? Do you care about health care? Have you ever had a loved on get sick or need hopsital care? Do you anticipate that happening in the future? Do you intend on paying taxes in the future? Do you care about the funding that is provided to your university by the government? Do you care about the arts at all? Or amateur sports? Or having facilities like soccer fields in your city to play on?

All this matters.

Crime - I think we're at about where we should be.
Health care, etc - I'm covered by family insurance, no loved ones have had to use a Canadian hospital in a few years for anything other then x-rays, health care probably will be an issue as my parents get older, but its not an issue now. In my extended family, we have 6 doctors too. If we're SOL for insurance, I think that could come in handy. I could see health care being a concern for my family in 10 years though.
Funding provided to UofA - its one of the top and the majority of the funding comes from private donations. 4 new buildings and labs in the past 5 years, with a 5th along the way. I think we're fine.
Arts - don't care, actually. Odd considering I did alot of music when I was younger.
Amateur sports - don't care as well. I think the facilities the Edmonton soccer league has is adaquate.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Crime - I think we're at about where we should be.

Good. Do you care if it stays that way?

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Health care, etc - I'm covered by family insurance,
no loved ones have had to use a Canadian hospital in a few years for anything other then x-rays, health care probably will be an issue as my parents get older, but its not an issue now. In my extended family, we have 6 doctors too. If we're SOL for insurance, I think that could come in handy. I could see health care being a concern for my family in 10 years though.
.

So health care is an issue you care about then?

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Funding provided to UofA - its one of the top and the majority of the funding comes from private donations. 4 new buildings and labs in the past 5 years, with a 5th along the way. I think we're fine.

Good. Do you want to see it stay that way? Or would you care if government funding to it was cut?

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Amateur sports - don't care as well. I think the facilities the Edmonton soccer league has is adaquate.

Do they receive any government funding?

[KTown]

I didn't vote because I was working in Fort St. John, sorry no polling stations in B.C. I just got home yesterday.

Can't blame us all for not voting, some of us had other arrangements.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Crime - I think we're at about where we should be.
Health care, etc - I'm covered by family insurance, no loved ones have had to use a Canadian hospital in a few years for anything other then x-rays, health care probably will be an issue as my parents get older, but its not an issue now. In my extended family, we have 6 doctors too. If we're SOL for insurance, I think that could come in handy. I could see health care being a concern for my family in 10 years though.
Funding provided to UofA - its one of the top and the majority of the funding comes from private donations. 4 new buildings and labs in the past 5 years, with a 5th along the way. I think we're fine.
Arts - don't care, actually. Odd considering I did alot of music when I was younger.
Amateur sports - don't care as well. I think the facilities the Edmonton soccer league has is adaquate.

Well I'm sold. You are right. You shouldn't vote.

[Phanuthier]

Crime - I don't think I know enough to comment. One would have to follow the Edmonton crime beat to make an opinion.

Health care - one that I should care about, I'll give you that. Its not a concern of mine for now though. I don't know what the state of heath care is right now. It was probably more on the forfront when I used to work at the Foothills hospital, but since then, the only time I go to the hospital is the study. Most injuries I get (ie. re-sprained my toe at tonights game, good job to me) I get checked out at the UofA health clinic.

UofA - don't really care. I think the funding that is offered is almost inconsequential to the UofA given how much $$ they recruit from private donators.

Amateur sports - not sure. They might. I don't see anything listed on their site, so I can't comment.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

UofA - don't really care. I think the funding that is offered is almost inconsequential to the UofA given how much $$ they recruit from private donators.
.

In 2006-2007 half a billion dollars (slightly less than half of total revenues) was provided to the U of A by the provincial government.

60 million was provided via grants and donations. Another 30 million from endowment income - not sure how that fits in.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

In 2006-2007 half a billion dollars (slightly less than half of total revenues) was provided to the U of A by the provincial government.

60 million was provided via grants and donations.

Most went to NINT which a portion is owned by the NRC.

EDIT : Where did you get those numbers? http://www.expressnews.ualberta.ca/article.cfm?id=7428

That amount is alot higher then I thought I do admit, but I see no real change to the campus itself other then NINT (as I said, a portion owned by the NRC). None the less, I won't be at UofA in 2 months anyways. Most of those numbers don't really affect me. Most of what does affect me comes via private sponsors, at least the faculty I'm in.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Most went to NINT which a portion is owned by the NRC.

EDIT : Where did you get those numbers? http://www.expressnews.ualberta.ca/article.cfm?id=7428

That amount is alot higher then I though, but I see no real change to the campus itself other then NINT (as I said, a portion owned by the NRC).

Numbers from the U of A.
http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/facts...fm?nav01=16135

Basically half of the school's expenses are paid for by taxpayers.

So cut that funding and start raising tuition cost substantially, or start cutting salaries, facilties, etc.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Numbers from the U of A.
http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/facts...fm?nav01=16135

Basically half of the school's expenses are paid for by taxpayers.

So cut that funding and start raising tuition cost substantially, or start cutting salaries, facilties, etc.

Fair enough. Now take this to the next level, which government party is for or against cutting funding to UofA?

I do admit those numbers are much higher then I thought. I know there is a ton of private sponsorship at least in my program. At the other link, looks like most are building for the future, admin or other expenses that don't relate to me.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Fair enough. Now take this to the next level, which government party is for or against cutting funding to UofA?

Don't know. Education was not an issue I was particularly focused on this election. There were other things that were on my particular radar. But for a post-secondary student such as yourself its an example of how it does impact you.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Don't know. Education was not an issue I was particularly focused on this election. There were other things that were on my particular radar. But for a post-secondary student such as yourself its an example of how it does impact you.

Well I'm actually done in a month and a half and won't be returning to UofA. I don't know why I wasted your time to find those facts sorry, since at this point in time, it won't affect me either.

A small portion (ie. < 20%) of financial assistance came from the government, and the main facilities as far as I know came mostly through private funding. However, that is purely a guess from me and I don't have any links to prove that.