So soon after Remembrance Day, it is shameful that only a third of voters choose to exercise the right to vote that so many valiant Canadians have died fighting for. Strange also that it is mostly Conservatives that oppose mandatory voting.

Good to see that our turn out bested the average, even if it was by a small margin.

Herbster. Perhaps you can give us some reasons why people should have voted in this election. Did you see anything in the politicians platforms that would indicate that they were concerned about the average citizen??

There was not one issue of any substance in this election with the possible exception of the fluoride referendum. (Which may be the reason for the increase)

So, tell us why they should have voted, what the issue’s were, and what benefits will come to the average citizen as a result of this election,.

I would also like to point out that there are quite a few of us outside of city limits that tried to vote. There was nothing noted or publicized that we were unable to vote at the regular voting stations. When I arrived I was turned away from Vanway and re-directed to Bear Lake, Shelley or the Regional District Office. Very frustrating as I live on the west end of town and had just completed my in town running around.

Wouldn’t you say herbster that they also fought for our freedom to choose not to vote?

The majority does not trust politicians so they don’t vote. Politicians have lied, cheated, committed fraud, constantly raised their own wages then cutting back on medical, increasing medical costs, reduced funding for our vets, constantly raise the costs for retirees through taxes and fees.

People don’t care who gets in anymore because it doesn’t matter.. The party if the day does whatever it wants whenever it wants citizens be damned.

I find the apathetic attitude disgusting. As mentioned in this article, people around the world fight for the right to vote, or even risk their lives in the process of voting. People choosing not to vote should be ashamed. If a citizen finds no value in voting for any of the candidates, I suppose they should run for office if they’re able to do it best.

Democracy is having the freedom to choose. I support that freedom.

For some, that may mean the freedom to not vote. Who are we to force them? What’s democratic about that?

pgjohn.

The people who should be ashamed are the politicians who promise one thing to get elected and then do another. Also the people who continually support these types of politicians should also be ashamed.

Quite often the election is about the interests of the vested interest groups, and not about the public at large.

Why do you and others keep insisting that people should vote for someone who does not have their (or the Municipality, Province, or Countries) interest at heart.

At the very least we should expect our politicians to have clearly stated platforms, and goals, and the honesty and integrity to ensure that these are implemented if they are elected. As it turns out we usually get nothing after the election, except what works the best for the Government that’s elected.

If you want people to vote, you had better come up with some issues that have some meaning.

Running around with your hand in the air, yelling **Let get growing** doesn’t cut it.

^ hence the last part of my comment… If you don’t like the options, run yourself. Clearly staying home, not voting, nor getting involved won’t break the cycle of frustration you speak of.

Doing nothing and expecting a different result… isn’t that a lot like doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result? I’ve heard that is the definition of insanity.

Any political party that uses the phrase ” tow the party line” is abusing their political power. It happens all the time now.

If something being tabled will be bad for a MPs area and their leader wants it go through then the MP must vote with the leader.. If they don’t their political career is over, back bencher for their political life. Basically blackmail. It’s disgusting but Is allowed to happen.

Sounds easy if you say it fast pgjohn. However you are overlooking the fact that 32000 eligible voters did not vote. Are you suggesting that 32000 people should run for Council, or for the Mayors chair??

Not likely. Much better to try and get real issues into the election, and have people run who have the interests of the populace at heart, rather than the interests of vested interest groups.

The political process in Canada, and other Countries have been stolen by political parties, who have no interest other that to further their own ambitions.

We need some independent people running for office, without any affiliation with the standard parties. Furthermore we need people to demand change as opposed to trusting the politicians to bring in change.

Unfortunately we cannot get a decent recall process in this Country. If we had one that was not heavily weighted in favour of the Government of the day, we could when necessary recall some representatives, and change the Government. A reasonable recall process would do more to change politics, than anything else.

Last but not least. Politicians although they are always whining about voter turn out, actually prefer as little turn out as possible, because it allows them a better chance to get elected. Large turnouts make the results less predictable.

So, lets lobby for easier recall legislation,. Or in the next election, Federal, Provincial, or Municipal, vote for a candidates (s) who advocates a better recall system.

Realize this is a pipe dream, however what’s the alternative. Keep electing self centered, self serving, party mooching, politicians??

A perfect example of what is wrong with politics is what green is doing to try to secure the conservative nomination for this area. She was horrible as mayor and now thinks if she has the right backers and is their puppet she can make it to federal politics. A person like her should never be in politics .. Buying a seat or the mayors chair is not how politics should work..but that is what She did and is trying again.. She is a perfect example of what is wrong with the political system in Canada.

I agree the party politics is crap. Luckily in PG, our municipal politics is not party affiliated so individuals can be held accountable. As for fed and prov politics, it’s up to us to support the independents and buck the trend by… Voting!

Wow P Val, such strong opinion. I TOTALLY AGREE!!! WTF…..