The pace of democracy...

[fajrdrako]

Elections: we held them and a paltry few showed up. Didn't they send out enough invitations?

I am not entirely unhappy. I'm sorry to see Harper still sitting there, but I woke up this morning to the sound of a CBC radio interview with the winning candidate in my riding, Paul Dewar, whom I voted for. That was satisfying - and made me feel better about the overall results.

Why the lack of interest from the electorate? Why the low voter turn-out? I don't personally blame the potential voters who didn't even try.

I blame the politicians for not getting their message across, and for not having much of a message in the first place - there was far too much saying why the other parties were bad, and not enough focus on issues or national direction. One suspects that too many politicians don't have a message to get across, and that scares me. So it isn't about issues, it's about images.

I blame the media, who treats elections like a horse-race, with polls - which further distort results - and a sense of gamesmanship. Like gambling. It isn't about issues, it's about numbers.

Maybe they'll do better next election. Meanwhile, more of the same.

Comments

[xinef.livejournal.com]

When I went to bed around midnight, the general outcome was obvious, just details left to be resolved. Including who won the riding I live in. I don't think that either Con or Lib candidate was up by more than 300 at any point in the evening. Con eventually declared winner by a few more than 200 votes. Rats. Bet there will be a recount, but not likely to change the outcome.

I think that most of the country didn't want this election and didn't feel it was necessary. So would have taken extra effort by the politicians to get them involved. Also, I'd love to know how much the rampant negative advertising (don't vote for this guy because he's incompetent, not vote for me because I have these good ideas) turned off voters. Certainly turned me off. But I voted anyway, because I believe that voting is a responsibility.

And yes, more of the same.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I think that most of the country didn't want this election and didn't feel it was necessary.

So true! It I had a dime for everyone who has said to me, "All that money, and nothing changed." I even heard a woman saying that on the bus today. And no one really expected change - though I blame the media for that, too, as they set up expectations which then become self-fulfilling prophecies.

I'd love to know how much the rampant negative advertising ... turned off voters. Certainly turned me off.

And me. And probably a lot of people.

I voted anyway, because I believe that voting is a responsibility.


I think it's important, or we end up with a dictatorship of sorts, by default. And I like the thought that my vote helped Paul Dewar, by a fraction.

[xinef.livejournal.com]

What I wish would happen is that the Conservatives get punished for calling an illegal election. They passed the law setting election dates, how the heck can they ignore their own law and get away with it? Why bother with a law in the first place if you're going to ignore it when it is convenient?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

They passed the law setting election dates, how the heck can they ignore their own law and get away with it?

A lot of people have been asking that. But not with any kind of passion. No one seems to care much. I don't know why not. Don't matters of principle matter?

I think they do.

[xinef.livejournal.com]

I think they do, and if the country thinks they don't, I think it is a sad commentary on the state of things today.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I don't think the country discounts principles; they just don't expect them in our leaders.

[dewline.livejournal.com]

There's a provision in those amendments that apparently states that the Governor-General can still dissolve Parliament at the drop of a hat, supposedly. A quick check of the Act online might resolve my concerns as to whether or not it actually exists.

[xinef.livejournal.com]

I suspect that they'd have needed a constitutional amendment to change that. But I still wonder why bother with a law like that if you're going to ignore it any time it is convenient? And if you can ask the GG to dissolve Parliament at any time, said law is completely useless.