Stoddard Online

Stoddard Online How many times in your life have you heard someone make reference to the fact that they don't bother voting? I hear it on a daily basis, not only from young people, but from those older and supposedly more mature. What a shameful example for parents to display to their families.

In two great wars, Canadians spilled their blood on the battlefields of Europe to preserve the freedoms and the voting franchise that we possess today. Surely, in respect of these gallant people, the very least we can do is make an effort to prove that they did not die in vain. It takes but a few moments to register and go to the polls.

In my view, if you choose not to vote, then you have absolutely no right to complain about our system. This afternoon, I overheard two gentlemen talking about the upcoming federal election. Both of these gentlemen were new citizens in the past five years. I was shocked to hear both of them admit that they don't bother with the voting process. I found that absolutely disgusting. These people have come to our land, become citizens, reaped the benefits that others have fought for, and are willing to do nothing for democracy. Unfortunately, the views expressed by these individuals is also shared by many citizens who were born here.

Our health care system is in a state of chaos, our employment insurance scheme has been eroded, and Canada Pension and the Old Age Security Pension are all in a state of disarray. People wo do not vote or bother to take part in the system generally complain the loudest. It will be too late to get involved the day these perks and services dry up. Again, if you choose to not take part, then you deserve what you get.

I have travelled to a few parts of this old world, and have done exhaustive research on many regimes. One thing that I am steadfast in, is knowing that we may not be perfect, and we may not have the perfect system in Canada, but on our worst day, we are still miles ahead of most other places in the world on their best day.