Demo-kratik

Okay - I get the idea that voting in Canada (or whatever other democratic state) is a privilege. A privilege that has been paid for by the lives of many soldiers and people over the course of many years in many battles or incidents or sacrifices. But what I don't get is... Do we retain the right not to vote? I mean, sure - They're lots and LOTS of people that don't without consequence. But the general consensus with many people I know (including my parents) is that you must vote. It is your duty to do so, and there is *no* good reason not to. Well... I disagree.

What if one isn't pleased with any of the solutions/candidates being voted on? What's the point of going to the ballots to select/elect something you know you won't be happy with? Or... What if you simply don't know heads from tails about the issue? Is there still a point to voting if you're essentially picking at random? What if, instead, you vote simple based on what someone else told you to do so, because... Well, they say so and you don't have anything else in mind. I don't know why it is that some people treat the voting process as a sered act - Do we not have just as much right not to vote? I mean, what's the point of making an incredibly uninformed decision? Isn't that a bit of a slap in the face to all those who fought for us to vote in the first place? If I know that I don't understand the politics and issues, should I not be able to leave it in the hands of those who do know what they're voting for? What's the point of being brought out to vote purely for the sake of voting, even if you just choose the option someone arbitrarily tells you to?

Well, I guess my point is that it should be acceptable to not vote. And not because you're lazy and not because it's inconvenient - but because you recognize that you do not deserve the vote because you know that you can't make the right choice in good conscience. I rest my case.
-Cril

Beyond the starry stage
We celebrate
Raise our voice, make another sound
All in good time
We will come around
Beyond the forward skylight
We'd say what a day

Polyphonic Spree - The Championship