M4D

M4D

1p

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14 years ago @ Macleans.ca - Canadian democracy is ... · 0 replies · +1 points

I have to disagree that those who vote do so out of habit. People don't vote for years, then one year they will head to the polls. People miss voting because they are too busy or it's inconvenient. Alot could be done to improve the numbers voting with administrative changes (for instance, to allow online voting). Yet when it comes to inclusive voting how else to accomplish it unless everyone has to vote? It's like these extra-mural programs at public school. If 'track and field' is optional and the gym teachers don't make kids participate, around half won't! Obviously, those kids might do very well and they are missing out of the physical exercise, and it's all down to this 'choice' model of governing ourselves For some things 'sign up' sheets are fine, for others, they exclude in a rather insidious way -- through negligence to get everyone involved for the good of everyone. In a democracy we have that chance to learn about the system and to become engaged when we are given a chance to vote. That should just be the beginning for everyone. Yet if people don't do that first step, and see that one vote alone does not their citizenship engagement make, see that they are called to do more, the cycle of apathy will persist.