Get out and Vote

In addition to my writing/editing duties at Milton Today Magazine I've taken up producing as well.  My work as a Producer can mean anything from contacting political candidates, to being in the field with reporters and cameramen.  This last Tuesday I was out with a cameraman shooting videos for our debate.  We were outside a well-known grocery store, trying to get people to ask a question of Halton's candidates in the federal election.  There were people who actually told us they didn't vote and weren't following the election.

I was shocked.  But in a way I understood- four federal elections in the last seven years is a bit much. And I can understand the cynicism and the general jaded feelings going around out there; I have at times felt them myself.  But being jaded, and cynical are no excuses for not voting.  A vote is the most valuable tool we have in a democracy.  It can be used to effect change- don't like what Harper's doing about corporate taxes? Here's your chance; vote Liberal.  Don't like the Liberal platform? There's always the NDP, or Conservatives.  Don't like any of the choices? Spoil your ballot, or register an abstention.  It's up to you, it's your choice- all you have to do is make it.  You have the choice; and isn't that one of the many selling  points of Canada?  If you don't vote how can you complain about what's happening afterwards?


Think about what's happening in the middle east.  Egypt, Libya, Yemen, and Syria. Around the world they're fighting for the right to vote, and some are dying just so they can vote.  And here we are about to vote in the fourth election in seven years- why not be thankful that we have a choice; and that we can take the 15 minutes to go down to our local polling station and mark an X beside the individual of our choice. 

Advance Polls opened today, and are open tomorrow and Monday from noon-8pm.  Three chances to get out on vote.  Or you can get out and vote on election day.  I've been pretty obvious about my choice; but what's right for me, probably isn't right for you. All that matters is that you get out and vote.