Why vote?
Well it is that time in politics again that we are relied upon to choose our new government. The polls are open for us to cast our ballots…but I have heard many people say they are so frustrated with politics that they don’t want to participate in this important process.
I am an advocate of democracy and disagree with this point of view (but I’m not saying it’s wrong because everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion). I think every eligible person should make their voice heard through their vote, no matter who they support. In my riding, for example, there are six candidates trying to become my MLA. If I am unhappy with a party or candidate I look to my other options and vote for the person I believe will best serve me.
As I look at the other ridings in Calgary I see that no riding has less than five candidates running. This means that we truly have a variety of candidates to choose from ranging in the political spectrum from left wing environmentalists, to centrists, to right-wing separationists (although I don’t believe any candidate is officially running for the Separation Party of Alberta).
A few people I spoke to this morning say they are not going to vote, but I was glad when the majority of people I spoke to say they are going to do their civic duty and cast a ballot. It was also encouraging to see at least one voter a minute entering a polling station in Calgary Elbow for the first two hours of voting.
I think there is a problem with people not realizing how great our freedoms are. Why don’t we take advantage of the fact that we can actively choose our next government? Preston Manning spoke on CTV’s Question Period and pointed out that in Afghanistan’s election about 75 per cent of eligible voters turned out to make their voice heard. Now compare that to Alberta’s last election of a turnout of 44 per cent. Manning pointed out that we might be taking our freedoms for granted. There are many countries in this world that don’t even give you the opportunity to vote.
One woman made the point to me today that her father fought in the Second World War to make sure that Canada and the world can keep democracy and enjoy our rights and freedoms. She adds voting was one of those rights and we are disgracing what he fought for if we don’t take advantage of what democratic abilities we have.
On the other hand, while everyone has the right to vote we also have the right not to. It seems there are many people willing to not mark an “X” to either prove a point or keep themselves out of the political process. While some don’t want to, I encourage you to make your voice heard, whether it is for the status quo or against it. Your vote actually makes a difference and you have a choice. Voting, it takes just a few minutes but can change a lifetime.