How do we overcome voter apathy?

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

This post will be followed up tomorrow but to answer the bolded question I was working, keeping the country safe for your family so they can have a joyfull Christmas.

As for volunteer service, I do my fair share here in Canada.

This isn't a penis sizing contest, and I didn't share my full resume either. My point was, save your opinions on other people if you know absolutely nothing about them. Ok?

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

This isn't a penis sizing contest, and I didn't share my full resume either. My point was, save your opinions on other people if you know absolutely nothing about them. Ok?

Your the one that has said many times throughout this 13 page thread that you just dont care. So, I am going to assume that you just don;t care and since you cant grasp why it is important to vote, I am going to assume that you just dont care.

[Phanuthier]

I'll tell you what. I think those that wish harm on someone else because their ideas don't conform to theirs are selfish (ie. you). I think those that make presumptions on others based upon limited information and wish to propagate those beliefs are selfish (ie. you). I think forcing someone to do something they are not comfertable with to meet your satisfactory needs is selfish (ie. you).

Iraq had 100% voter turn-out, because they forced 100% voter turnout - I bet you wanted to live there. Or any other "democracy" that has featured 100% voter turnout... right?

Me... plain and simple, if I don't have any opinions on an issue, I forfeit my right to vote and let those who do have opinions and interests in the issue to vote. As previously said, the beauty of democracy is to have input on community matters. Not to force input when not desirable. Don't give me this "representatives stuff" as I don't feel a couple hours and some politicians promises gives me any clue as to what values my voted "representative" would represent. Quite frankly, if I did have such a interest at a such a time that I saw needed to be done, I'll get it done. I'm not worried about that the least bit.

Comparatively speaking, I don't see how that is selfish at all. However, to satisfy the mass-majority of CPers wishes, I shall vote next time based upon the system of selection of which party leader has the name with the most syllables just to see people try and spell it on CP. Then, I shall be fulfilling my duty that CP deems as the responsibility one has towards democracy. Of coarse, I will not be pulling this stunt in elections that do matter to me.

I encourage the other 60% of voters to follow suit and vote under the same selection criteria I have, or any other random selection criteria they may wish to choose from. It is, afterall, the basis for which democracy that one MUST vote, irregardless.

[simonsays]

Phaneuthier, I just have one question: why are you so proud to defend your ability to not vote? I understand that this is the topic of the thread, and that fine, but why is it so important that you continually find/fight reason to not vote. If you said that you plan on moving in 4 months from the start few people would be pile-driving you right now. But you said that you didn't care, well quite a few people have shown reasonable reasons why you would want to vote, and I don't see why you're still fighting. You didn't vote. Your won't vote. Good for you. I guess.

Someone on page 1 or 2 or 3 (can't go back must continue) made a remark about adding a x tax to every voter. This makes sense to me, make every 18+ taxpaying citizen pay an extra 50$ tax per year (maybe break it down 25fed-15prov-10muni) and for every election that you vote in that 'tax' is refunded annually. That sounds OK. Now add in non-citizens to that tax and give them another reason to become one, all good. At least in my eyes.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Iraq had 100% voter turn-out, because they forced 100% voter turnout - I bet you wanted to live there. Or any other "democracy" that has featured 100% voter turnout... right?

You keep bringing this up, and I guess it's justified because a few posters have proposed various mandatory-voting systems or penalties for not voting, etc. But for the record, I agree that mandtory voting isn't a good idea. The thing is, it's another false dilemma: it's not "either you don't vote or we make voting mandatory for everyone."

In fact, I think not voting is your right. My point was merely that you should recognize what that choice means: namely, that you are letting others decide things for you. You had the right to participate--and participation was easy--but you chose not to. You only live in a democracy if you're one of those who participates. It's that simple.

I was, I'll admit, more disturbed by the general apathy about issues than about the decision not to vote. I think "whether it affects you directly" is a terrible way to decide what kind of citizen you're going to be. Living in a democratic society means recognizing a collective responsibility to that society and doing your part to make it better. Your volunteer work that you brought up suggests that you actually already know that. Which means you're most of the way there to being an engaged citizen--the other part is engaging your mind in the world of politics and recognizing that even issues that don't affect you directly are important things to think about.

As for moving to the U.S.--best of luck. I moved here for "professional reasons" about 10 years ago. Suffice it to say I can't wait to get back to Canada. It was going fine--paying so much for health insurance was a little weird--but when my wife became ill we quickly realized that the U.S. is a terrible place to be a sick person. Then when we had a baby it cost us 8000 dollars. My brother-in-law had a baby the same year in Calgary and it didn't cost them a cent.

So my advice is--good luck in the U.S. Don't get sick.