Who(that can) isn't going to vote on Oct 14th? - Page 2 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Dion · 10-10-2008, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J pold

I just find it highly ironic that in one thread you complain about the Canadian justice system. Then you start a thread about not wanting to vote. If you really are concern about the justice system why not you know do something about it?

If you don't vote you don't have the right to complain about these issue IMO.

Quite the contradiction.

JiriHrdina · 10-10-2008, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOOT

Where can someone find a web page that list the different parties and what they stand for? Preferably not one run by someone who is trying to push a certain party on me.

http://www.nodice.ca

As far as I can tell this site has no political leanings.

This topic always gets emotional. I think people should vote, but they also have a right not to.

I enjoy voting every time I have the opportunity to do so.

J pold · 10-10-2008, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarchHare

People have fought wars over the right for the population to vote, not that it be a mandatory requirement if citizenship. If I make an informed decision to abstain (which, again, is absolutely not the same thing as voter apathy), that's my right as a Canadian citizen. Frankly, I think it's better for an informed voter to abstain than it is for an ill-informed voter to blindly cast their ballot just because "it's their democratic duty".

Hey I agree with you 100% on this, but my Grandfather comments weren’t about "democratic duty" They inspired me to get off my ass and get informed.

HOOT · 10-10-2008, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J pold

I just find it highly ironic that in one thread you complain about the Canadian justice system. Then you start a thread about not wanting to vote. If you really are concern about the justice system why not you know do something about it?

If you don't vote you don't have the right to complain about these issue IMO.

Quite the contradiction.

Because I say the decision made was disgusting is not me complaining about it IMO. If I would have gone on about how they need to change it and this is how they should do it, then you might have a case.

You say people fought for my choice, yet don't respect my CHOICE not to vote. That's contradicting if you ask me.

JiriHrdina · 10-10-2008, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOOT

You say people fought for my choice, yet don't respect my CHOICE not to vote. That's contradicting if you ask me.

I think if you travelled back in time and told our grandfathers that they were fighting so that "50 years from now - people can choose not to vote" they would have flipped you the bird.

Why do you choose not to vote? Give me a valid reason not to take the time to educate yourself and get out there and do your small part.

kevman · 10-10-2008, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarchHare

People have fought wars over the right for the population to vote, not that it be a mandatory requirement of citizenship. If I make an informed decision to abstain (which, again, is absolutely not the same thing as voter apathy), that's my right as a Canadian citizen. Frankly, I think it's better for an informed voter to abstain than it is for an ill-informed voter to blindly cast their ballot just because "it's their democratic duty".

As a card carrying member of the Liberals that does not support Dion in a riding that is surely to be won by the Conservatives could you not still cast a vote to support your party without having to worry that your vote could help Dion keep his job? I mean if he's going to lose 15 seats this eleciton it's going to have nothing to do with Alberta or your vote...

That said, while I have never missed a chance to vote, I feel it is still the individuals choice and I certainly don't get mad at those who don't vote...besides it just makes my vote worth more

As a bonus I live in the same riding I grew up in so voting gives me a chance to revisit my Elementary school and look at the photos on the wall while taking a trip down nostalgia lane...those were simpler times...

HOOT · 10-10-2008, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I think if you travelled back in time and told our grandfathers that they were fighting so that "50 years from now - people can choose not to vote" they would have flipped you the bird.

Why do you choose not to vote? Give me a valid reason not to take the time to educate yourself and get out there and do your small part.

I can't seem to find a party that I would feel passionate about to run my country. They all seem like the same s--t different pile.

Not to mention the useless ads these guys put on TV. They spend 30 seconds just slamming the opposition, instead of telling me what they have planned instead. It begs the question; Is a bad idea better than no idea?

Dion · 10-10-2008, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I think if you travelled back in time and told our grandfathers that they were fighting so that "50 years from now - people can choose not to vote" they would have flipped you the bird.

My grandfather from my late fathers side of the family would have given HOOT more than the bird. He would told him about the time he spent in German POW camp. How quickly people forget

missdpuck · 10-10-2008, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Don't the polls open at 10 am?

Plus your work place has to give you time to vote, leave early, it usually takes me 48 hours to vote.

Yeah and 47 3/4 hrs of that are spent at the gin mill..

HOOT · 10-10-2008, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dion

My grandfather from my late fathers side of the family would have given HOOT more than the bird. He would told him about the time he spent in German POW camp. How quickly people forget

Excuse me? How is the finger being pointed at me on this? Because I don't vote I don't support vets?

Who says anyone has forgotten? You think your grandpa was the only one who fought in a war? Both my grandpa's fought in that war and my grandma lived in Germany (having her parents house bombed) during WWII. So don't tell me I have forgotten anything! I look at a poppy EVERYDAY having one on my sun visor, so I NEVER FORGET!

MarchHare · 10-10-2008, 01:22 PM

Quote:

As a card carrying member of the Liberals that does not support Dion in a riding that is surely to be won by the Conservatives could you not still cast a vote to support your party without having to worry that your vote could help Dion keep his job? I mean if he's going to lose 15 seats this eleciton it's going to have nothing to do with Alberta or your vote...

Yes, I know. If I vote at all, it will likely be for the Liberals, knowing that it won't make a difference in my riding but the party will receive an extra $1.75 (I think) in the next election from my vote, by which time they've hopefully selected a better leader.

My decision to (probably) abstain has absolutely nothing to do with laziness or voter apathy. I'm an informed citizen who has participated in the democratic process multiple times in the past, both by voting and by volunteering for a candidate.

//

Semi-OT: Canada fought in WWII to preserve the democracy of our allies in Europe, not our own. Arguably this means that our soldiers made an even bigger sacrifice, since they were fighting for someone else's freedom, not their's.

Russic · 10-10-2008, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llama64

What's the point in defending democracy if you're too lazy to participate in it?

I vote in every election. It's the ONLY time that an elected official pays attention to the citizens they claim to represent.

I'm probably voting Green. The reason being, it will mean more then simply abstaining. The Greens probably will not win a seat, but the popular vote will be analyzed by the media. If the main parties see their support eroding and going towards a competitor, perhaps this will open their minds to just how many people are dissatisfied with the level of representation we receive.

I personally can't stand how the Conservatives treat the Western regions. Almost no attention is delivered on us while the representatives are off in Ottawa trying to help their fellow party members. Voting Green seems to be the only way I can send a message to them that this is not good behavior. They should not expect us to vote them in no matter what.

I was going to participate in this discussion but the llama said what I was thinking, so why clutter the boards?

JiriHrdina · 10-10-2008, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOOT

I can't seem to find a party that I would feel passionate about to run my country. They all seem like the same s--t different pile.

Well one could argue the parties in Canada are all to a degree close to center - but there are some pretty fundamental differences.

Heck you could make a choice purely on whether or not you support the Green Shift.

Bobblehead · 10-10-2008, 01:26 PM

I think all the choices are fundamentally flawed. I had almost decided to vote CPC until their platform was released on Tuesday. Now I don't like any of the choices. I'll still vote, but it will be a protest vote.

Not that it will matter.

habernac · 10-10-2008, 01:27 PM

if you have to pick the best of a bad bunch then so be it. I vote in every election.

JiriHrdina · 10-10-2008, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOOT

Excuse me? How is the finger being pointed at me on this? Because I don't vote I don't support vets?

Who says anyone has forgotten? You think your grandpa was the only one who fought in a war? Both my grandpa's fought in that war and my grandma lived in Germany (having her parents house bombed) during WWII. So don't tell me I have forgotten anything! I look at a poppy EVERYDAY having one on my sun visor, so I NEVER FORGET!

Do you think your grandfathers would care more about a poppy on your visor, or you getting out to vote?

Dion · 10-10-2008, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOOT

Excuse me? How is the finger being pointed at me on this? Because I don't vote I don't support vets?

Who says anyone has forgotten? You think your grandpa was the only one who fought in a war? Both my grandpa's fought in that war and my grandma lived in Germany (having her parents house bombed) during WWII. So don't tell me I have forgotten anything! I look at a poppy EVERYDAY having one on my sun visor, so I NEVER FORGET!

Those vets fought for your freedom and mine and your ability to choose a govt to run our country. Yet you insult them by not taking the time to look at the issues and make an informed vote.

MarchHare · 10-10-2008, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Those vets fought for your freedom and mine and your ability to choose a govt to run our country. Yet you insult them by not taking the time to look at the issues and make an informed vote.

No, they didn't.

Canada's freedom was never in danger in WWII. Our veterans fought for the freedom of Britain and France and Belgium and Norway and the Netherlands and many other European democracies.

JiriHrdina · 10-10-2008, 01:34 PM

^In the literal sense perhaps, But if you talk to a lot of vets that's not how they view it. They refer to protecting "our freedom".

Dion · 10-10-2008, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarchHare

No, they didn't.

Canada's freedom was never in danger in WWII. Our veterans fought for the freedom of Britain and France and Belgium and Norway and the Netherlands and many other European democracies.

And if Hitler conquered Europe, do you think he would have stopped there?