It shocks me every election how few people vote. Numbers usually come in between 30-50% of eligible voters who actually cast a ballot. In central Ontario, the highest voter turnout I saw was in Owen Sound, 52%. The lowest? Barrie, 31%.
This post is not to rip on anyone who didn't vote. It's to encourage you to think about voting next time around (hint hint - federal election, October 2015). Voting is a privilege. People around the world fight and die for, and dream of the opportunity to have their voices heard. There are dozens of countries like North Korea where the people are so oppressed...and we're on the complete opposite end. We have freedom. We can express ourselves without fear of persecution, jail time, torture, or even death.
If that's too dramatic an approach - although in reality, it's not - then bring it back to your life personally. I always think it's funny when people complain about the government, specific politicians, high taxes, horrible roads, a failing school system...or whatever else bothers you (take your pick), and then an election rolls around and they don't vote. I've always been of the mindset that if you're going to complain, you should have a solution to go along with it. Complaining doesn't do much. Solutions fix problems. If you're upset with the way things are, one solution is to vote. It's important to note that this also goes the other way - if you like the way things are, then vote to keep it status quo. Otherwise, things might change and you'll be on the other side of the fence ("Oh, it's too bad that person didn't get re-elected...")
To me it's sad in general that we don't realize the incredible privilege we have to vote. But it's even more sad after everything that happened in Ottawa last week. Corporal Nathan Cirillo's death was a reminder that brave men and women have fought (and continue to fight) for our country, and they protect the freedoms we have today. People would die to have the privileges we have. And last week, one man did just that.
This post is not to rip on anyone who didn't vote. It's to encourage you to think about voting next time around (hint hint - federal election, October 2015). Voting is a privilege. People around the world fight and die for, and dream of the opportunity to have their voices heard. There are dozens of countries like North Korea where the people are so oppressed...and we're on the complete opposite end. We have freedom. We can express ourselves without fear of persecution, jail time, torture, or even death.
If that's too dramatic an approach - although in reality, it's not - then bring it back to your life personally. I always think it's funny when people complain about the government, specific politicians, high taxes, horrible roads, a failing school system...or whatever else bothers you (take your pick), and then an election rolls around and they don't vote. I've always been of the mindset that if you're going to complain, you should have a solution to go along with it. Complaining doesn't do much. Solutions fix problems. If you're upset with the way things are, one solution is to vote. It's important to note that this also goes the other way - if you like the way things are, then vote to keep it status quo. Otherwise, things might change and you'll be on the other side of the fence ("Oh, it's too bad that person didn't get re-elected...")
To me it's sad in general that we don't realize the incredible privilege we have to vote. But it's even more sad after everything that happened in Ottawa last week. Corporal Nathan Cirillo's death was a reminder that brave men and women have fought (and continue to fight) for our country, and they protect the freedoms we have today. People would die to have the privileges we have. And last week, one man did just that.
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