Vote Against Apathy

Blog: voteagainstapathy.blogspot.com
Twitter: twitter.com/youthvotecanada

Transcript:

[Image: Editorial cartoon. Political activists scream and wave signs while two trendy young women stand indifferently in the centre of the action. Text: "Do you, like, hear something?" "Oh, I think that's my new ringtone." Source: gazette.uwo.ca]
For years we've heard from the media that young people don't vote.  And why would we, in this kind of atmosphere?  From every corner we get the message that our voices don't count. 
[Image: A young woman, her mouth taped shut with the Government of Canada logo. Source: ccer.ca]
Whenever the media talks about young people, it talks about our apathy rather than our opinions.  Most of the political parties don't even talk about issues important to young people. 
[Image: A hand placing a ballot into an Elections Canada ballot box. Source: nationalpost.ca]
And I know personally, that every time I've cast a ballot, my candidate hasn't won.  So why do I keep on voting? 
[Image: Young man filling out a ballot in an Elections Canada poll booth. Source: skippy-posts.blogspot.com]
Because it's important that I make my government listen to my voice.  We're emerging from an economic crisis where young workers were the hardest hit.  I bet you have an opinion on that. 
[Image: Stephen Harper, Michael Ignatieff, Jack Layton, Gilles Duceppe. Source: Reuters]
This is a historic election--the first time a government has been taken down for contempt of parliament--you probably have an opinion on that too.  So think about it, learn about the issues, talk about it with people. 
[Image: Computer keyboard keys spelling out the word "vote". Source: mindyourmind.ca]
Go to candidates debates in your riding, or get in touch with the candidates and ask them what they can do that matters to you.  Most importantly, vote. 
[Image: black and red logo Text: "Stand up, Speak out". Source: monctonblogger.com]
If we can make our voices heard, the politicians will listen to us.  So fight against the apathy label.  Let's make this the election where young people take back our power. 
[Text: "Vote Against Apathy"]
Vote against apathy.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• canada
• politics
• election 2011
• election 41
• apathy
• youth vote
• student vote
• young voters

[sofatho]

Lets say I decide it might be fun to vote high. I take a few puffs and wander down to the polling station. Let's also say Im drunk. Not having done any research, I draw a happy face on one spot, a dick in anohter, and 'my ass' followed a box with a tick on it, and then lightly cross that out. I write a proper check beside the funnier sounding of the remaining names. Does that make me better than someone who didn't vote because he/she didn't like the canditates?

[voteagainstapathy]

@sofatho No, that's illegal in 3 different ways and the ballot won't be counted...

[investoradvocate]

I too, would like to see more discussion about Proportional Representation......ie, the idea of giving seats in parliament based on votes earned, not just giving a seat to the "top" vote getter. I am not sure if I have that concept correct, but it deserves discussion. We keep getting the same old lame 19th century style politicians, instead of something more civilized.

[voteagainstapathy]

@investoradvocate I personally have an affection for 19th century politicians... but that's just me ;) The problem is that first-past-the-post voting worked really well in the beginning of the parliamentary system, when MPs were supposed to represent the interests of their ridings, first and foremost, instead of their parties. Now that everything is so party-based, first past the post makes less and less sense. I think we're slowly heading towards proportional representation.

[belagiorgo]

we can't fight THE VOTE ITS STAring global currency

ndp and liberal same team

[investoradvocate]

We also need to go beyond a simple vote. What good is your vote when that is all you offer to the process? Corporations are wooing your politician with millions of dollars of "support" of one kind or another. Result is that you and your vote is definitely the "lesser" of the politician's priorities. Perhaps there are ways to change that and start over with a bit more level playing field.

[longname25]

Also, the news is silent about Proportional Representation. The reason why your vote has never elected anyone is because of our voting system. Politicians want voters to be ignorant about the issues is because they stay in power longer. Its not the voters fault. Our voting sytem has wasted votes and promoted regionalism. Canada need Proportional Representation Now.....

[441rider]

Who ever of the corporate choices get in power their ignorance of the growing fall out from Fukushima's thousands of pounds of Plutonium vapor will bankrupt Canada and lay waste to the west coast industries. Radioactive particulate is cumulative in the rain and on the ground and milk and rain water is already over the health limits. Election? to rule over who?

Shame on the parties ignoring a potential planet killing environmental emergency.

[theivangrozhny2010]

but why are all of the candidates for prime minister so old looking, grey,bland,boring,and lifeless. they seem more the candidates running for tranquilizers rather than passionate caring canadians

[DjJesusDied4UrSpins]

one measly vote won't influence the outcome*