The voting youth

[shrory]

I was listening the CBC this morning 30/09 and a reporter was asking students at UBCO who they may be voting for, although some editing had probably been do to the story, not one student said they would be voting, their excuses ran from; did not understand politics, (what are we teaching these kids) to, it was not their scene.
Are these the same people who complain that the grey hairs have taken the fun out of Kelowna? Are these the people we see protesting over education cuts and student loans? If you do not vote you loose the right to protest.
I urge ALL ages to get out and vote, after all we live in a democracy, don’t we?

[razzledazzle]

Are these the people we see protesting over education cuts and student loans? If you do not vote you loose the right to protest.

Under the Charter of Rights even if you don't vote you have a right to protest.

[quietlywatching84]

Under the Charter of Rights even if you don't vote you have a right to protest.

I think the fellow was stating an opinion rather then a fact.

Are we talking Civic or Federal elections?

Neverless, alot of people in this generation are like this. They complain alot, yet don't vote or get politically active, nor do they even believe that our politcal system works. Very apathetic bunch.

That being said, there are some very well informed and active twentysomethings around in Kelowna, problem is they are few and far between.

[hellomynameis]

UVic seems to have two types of students, if I can afford to be so general.

-Overly Political
and
-O'Reilly's "Stoned Slackers"

[mechanic_virus]

I have to believe there was some editing done. I cannot bring myself to believe not one of the students interviewed intends to vote.

I remember when I was in high school I was right annoyed by the fact that I was considered too young to vote. I felt that my opinions were just as valid as anybody else's, and I still maintain that the right to vote should be given to those 15 and above. Why not?

During the last federal election, while standing outside of the polling station, three very elderly ladies walked out from the building. One of them commented that there were so many people around, and another told her "yes, it's voting day. That's why we came". The first lady then asked "did I vote?", when the other woman told her that yes, she had, the lady responded, "oh. Good". It again made me ask myself why there is a minimum voting age when no maximum is in place.

But that's off subject. The point I'd like to make is that the election of our leaders, whether it be municipal, provincial, or federal, is something that affects us all. We live in a democratic society which, although flawed, gives us the ability to choose how and by whom our society will be run. There is little that is as important as that, and it boggles my mind to know that there is anybody out there who does not wish to have their voice heard in the process.

Apathy will be the death of us all. :purefury:

[FunkyBunch]

I don't feel that apathy is the main problem.

The biggest problem is that people make uninformed votes. Especially in municipal politics. The voter turnout is low, and most people just vote for someone whose name they recognize. Many people who do vote, see it as their right, and vote just because they can. They have no idea who they are voting for or why they are voting for that person.

[daedalus]

I would have to say the problem is apathy. Many times last year I talked about current events to my classmates (grade12). "What do you think about the Simpsons Covenant debate?" "whats that?"
"Have you ever heard of the SPP?" "the sp what?"
The only event they really cared about was... think about it... wakefest


Anyways, back on topic. I just dont think that enough time is spent on politics in school and thus no body (young) really cares about it. Im in the voting youth category and i will vote on the issues, not the names.

[Fancy]

it boggles my mind to know that there is anybody out there who does not wish to have their voice heard in the process.

What if there is no one to vote for? I too was involved in politics before I could actually vote and in my high school we had quite a few energetic and passionate students that really rallied the troops. I'm not surprised apathy is prevalent considering who is running in the political arenas.

[Loed]

I remember when I was in high school I was right annoyed by the fact that I was considered too young to vote. I felt that my opinions were just as valid as anybody else's, and I still maintain that the right to vote should be given to those 15 and above. Why not?

This is a good quote and a good idea, why not? Help educate them in the system(ie. high school, where more sticks than people give credit for).

Personally in the past I have not voted due to the fact that honestly in MY eyes there was no-one to vote for. I have since changed my opinion on those matters and do my best to research as well as I can for a viable condidate, but that's a lot of effort most people "don't have the time for".

[shrory]

Anyways, back on topic. I just dont think that enough time is spent on politics in school and thus no body (young) really cares about it. Im in the voting youth category and i will vote on the issues, not the names.

What a great quote from the young person, "I will vote on the issues, not the names"

Far too many people of my age (gray)vote for the same party year in year out and not the issues.
Just reading a book at the moment albeit an old one, "On the Take, The Mulroney Years, what an eye opener."

[Captain Awesome]

So....who should I vote for?

[shrory]

Million dollar question, or here in Kelowna a two million dollar one

Vote on the issues, with your heart, and if whom you voted does not get in, at least you voted and you can *bleep* and complain to your hearts content.

[Captain Awesome]

I wish there was an online tool that would analize my views on everything and told me who I should vote for.

[shrory]

Great Idea, you will have to put your computer training to good use and develop one

[quietlywatching84]

That's how I'm voting this year. I'm going on issues, probably due to the fact that most of the party leaders don't have anything that really grabs me thus far.

One thing they really need to do is put a voting station in UBCO. I also liked the lower the voting age, then we can put voting booths in the high school.

Once you do that, watch every party flock to the high schools, they won't need training/classes, they'll get crushed by the politcians running at the 1st time voters!