The Canadian Federal Election is tomorrow and you have decided not to vote. It might be out of apathy or laziness. It might be that you have your justifications, which might just be you rationalizing your apathy and laziness.
Regardless, a small but vocal group of you out there have declared that you’re exercising your right to do nothing because it’s the right thing to do, nothing.
You’re wrong. Here’s why:
1. “I’m too busy to vote.”
Listen, your employer must grant you the time to go to the polls. It’s the law. There were also advanced polls over Easter Weekend (that, happily, saw a 34% increase from 2008).
Cut the crap: You’re lazy. Go vote, and get a coffee while you’re out. Enjoy the rest of your day.
2. “I forgot.”
Really? You missed the month of news pieces, the signs decorating every boulevard in town, the coffee-room discussions? You know when every NHL playoff game is, when American Idol or The Bachelor come on, and yet somehow you missed election day?
Cut the crap: It’s tomorrow.
3. “It just doesn’t matter.”
Yeah, I’ve always felt that doing nothing yields much greater results than doing something. Many parties in many ridings are glad you feel this way. If more people turned out to vote, your MP would have to start listening to a broader range of voices, because he needs to garner a broader range of votes, now that you decided to show. Rather than just seniors.
Cut the crap: Be the change, whiney.
4. “I don’t know the issues and I don’t trust the news.”
Do a little damn research, then. Take five minutes of your Angry Birds time or wait until Survivor’s in commercial, go online and look at party platforms. Decide what matters to you. Health care? Economy? Tuition costs?
Cut the crap: Get off your ass and learn something.
5. “Politicians are all just liars and crooks.”
Stated from your well-founded and learned opinion, the one that said you don’t know anything. Yes, they’re politicians, which means the majority are a little morally wonky. However, Canada still has one of the cleanest governing systems in the world. Your vote can actually do something. Try getting that in Mexico. Don’t give the dudes in ties the excuse to be more corrupt because you can’t be bothered to influence them.
Cut the crap: The only way to keep them honest is through action.
6. “It’s not that I don’t care—I care too much. The system is broken.”
I might entertain this view if I ever heard it backed up with facts. Too bad it’s just another excuse for being lazy. Look, I’m not married to this system or anything—I’d much rather see a popular vote system—but the current one can work. If you vote, then lobby your MP to change, it’s effective.
Cut the crap: Take part, then enact reform.
7. “Where I live, people always vote the same way, anyway.”
I hear ya. The riding I’ve lived in for the past eight years sees its incumbent take 80-90% of the votes, and I’ve never voted for the guy. Is it a little disheartening? Sure. But if our whole riding turned out on May 2nd, he’d easily drop to about 65%, and that would make him sweat. And when they sweat, they listen. Apply that to his whole party now. That’s democratic efficacy.
Cut the crap: This is current events, not history.
8. “They all sound the same.”
Really? Have you read their platforms? Have you studied anything beyond TV and radio sound bites? Have you called your MP or his opposition and asked them tough questions? Do the research, make a decision, go with it.
Cut the crap: They wouldn’t be parties if that were true.
9. “My identity is not an ideology.”
Neither is mine. But I have wants for my country, for my province, for my kids. For the future. I know what I don’t want and I know what I like. No, there’s no party in existence that meets my needs 100%. Even my wife wouldn’t vote for that party. They need a broader appeal. Compromise a little, find the closest party, vote.
Cut the crap: Your mom should’ve cut you off a little sooner, coddle kid.
10. “Who cares?”
What you’re ignoring is something Canadians died to preserve in World War 2, which Libyans are currently dying to get, and which every adult Canadian should be forced to exercise on penalty of jail time.
Cut the crap: See above.
A parting shot, from a man much smarter than me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhgYhcTl95w&feature=youtu.be
