In today's Spec, there's a great letter, 'If people are engaged, then they'll vote'. In it, the writer presents some meaty material, stuff that's worth considering...if contentious. You can click the link, but I'm also publishing it here (with emphasis being mine):
Voter turnout
I have read with interest the discussion that followed the provincial election regarding the low level of voter participation. One theme has been the general distaste with the lack of choice, and this feeling also often crops up in class discussion at McMaster University where I am a student in political science.
I have to ask how many of the people who feel this way are members of a political party, where anyone can have a significant effect on the candidates and policies that are put forward? How many regularly write letters to the editor, or contact their MPs and the various cabinet ministers, and so make their views known? And how many have more than the superficial understanding of the issues that simply following the headlines and TV news provides? From discussions on the street and from polls, it is evident that many or most people don’t.
I do not support any limitations on the right to vote, but until people are willing to fulfil their democratic responsibility to understand the issues, perhaps it isn’t necessarily desirable that they do vote. Our political culture will not change until our civic culture does, with people becoming more engaged. Until then, politicians will continue to pander to populist feelings with misleading rhetoric.
Liam Helder, Hamilton
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