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I think the right to abstain is as importaint to democracy as the right to vote. This means the right to not show up a a polling station.

I was wondering if putting abstain as an option on the ballot would increse voter turnout. Voters who show up to vote abstain would not impact an election but it would be know they refused to make a decision and weren't being to lazy to vote.

this is not entierally true, grain can be sold in Canada of for livestock feed without the wheatboard. I agree that the wheatobard should not have a monopoly but this has to do with the rights of free enterprise not electorial rights.

   

I was using it as an example of the way a what seems like a good idea on paper, can go horribly wrong. Also that if we do make voting mandatory its just another step in the direction we are slowly moving towards. In a true democracy things such as voting, who to sell your goods to, or even wheather or not to be in the military, should be forced onto a person. If we impose mandatory voting all we do is show more people what some of us have all ready figured out, we don't live in a real democracy.

   

Can't say as I agree with this. It's only been 13 years since the Tories imploded; hardly an entire generation has only seen one type of government. It's been a while yes, but not a bad as all that. Before that, there was 9 years of Tory rule.

I think voter apathy stems from a variety of reasons, not just the old 'my vote won't make a difference' logic. Some people I know just don't follow the news and have no clue of which party stands for what. Others don't care, saying that either these guys will rip us off, or the other guys will. Some think that because they don't get to vote for the leader, they have little say in the government. And then are some people who think, my vote doesn't make a difference, because they live in a riding that is totally dominated by a party they don't support.

And the Cons sound like Liberals? What platforms have you been reading? They don't sound anything alike, except that they both plan on spending like drunken sailors, but with very different priorities. One party would reopen the debate on SSM, the other has said it's been decided. One party wants to spend $20 billion a year on defence, the other only about $15. One party plans huge tax cuts while the other talks about cutting health care waiting lists. And so on. The parties might have one or two similar ideas, but they all have different ways of achieving those goals...

   

I have voted now in 4 general elections, and each time it comes out the same....... Liberal government, Conservative MP. Im 26, we have seen the same thing from anyone who was allowed to vote for the last 8 or 9 years now.



Let me clarify:
In my opinion the Conservatives are sounding like Liberals of old, and that the party is moving toward the small c or red tory stand point, and away from a tradtional conservative platform. Focusing on social programs instead of getting more money into the hands of Canadians is not typically Conservative territory. Conservatives are supposed to be about low taxes and less government. What Harper has done in this election, while not saying he would increase a govt precence, has pretty much said he won't get rid of it either. He and the Conservatives are drifting closer to the centre of the spectrum, and now are not true right wingers, but more centre right.

   

Voting is a privaledge, something that people in the Western world seem to have forgoten, and like all privaledges it does not have to be exercised.

   

The voter apathy also comes from an entire generation only ever seeing one type of government, even though they don't vote that way. It leads people to ask what's the point anymore.

   

although people I may not totally agree with you people you do make good points about this
I honestly think if this is the attitude towards it that it will never become law so don't worry!

   

Thanks for the support and cudos Banff.

   

Don't be so sure, it's a mandatory thing in some countries in the world, including Australia.

   

Your generation sucks...now get the fuck out there and vote..

   

I already pointed that out but apparently what the aussis do dosn't matter to us

   

I do, every election, doesn't change the fact that alot of young people in this country don't vote.

I am not saying that this is right, just a reason.

   

I think its because we don't get them hooked on it. I've noticed in history class as we move into the modern challenges unit that the other students show flickers of giving a s***t. I think if we lowered the vote down to 16 or 15 (with provisions agaisnt hooligans and that sort)we could actually get some kids to vote, once you vote i figure they'll be more likely to do it next time.

   

Young people are the future of this country...don't let them fuck it up.

Spread the word...vote...I don't care how you vote.just DO it.

   

While it is unfortunate that the best informed people in the country are people of that age bracket, it is not a reason to give people of your age group the vote. When we give the vote to people at 18 we are saying youre an adult now, you can buy beer and smokes (In Alberta anyway, sell them everywhere else). To lower the voting age is to take away one of the most primary passages into adulthood, your first election.

Remeber how frustrating it is to sit on the side lines, and when you're old enough go out and vote, effect change, I may be 797's future, but you are mine.

   

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