Several times in the past few weeks I have heard people say "I don't vote, it's a waste of time, nothing ever changes".
There are a number of ways to interpret that statement, "I can't be bothered". Fair enough but don't complain when it has become clear that nothing is going to improve in your particular areas of interest.
" I don't trust politicians". Politicians are people and behave like people, some are trustworthy others are not but you can't go through life trusting nobody.
"They say they will do such and such, but once they're in power they forget all their promises"
There are many ways in which you can influence that. Local complaints and campaigns to rally support. If you don't speak out nothing will change that's for sure.
"I don't like so and so, he talks posh, he doesn't understand working people". It is quite likely that his 'posh' speech has been slowly and carefully acquired over a long period of time in order to be accepted by the rest of his party.
"She is a working class snob, she resents us and our money is not safe in her hands". It may or may not be true, but if your monied and privileged background hasn't taught you how to look after your wealth, tough!
The one that really gets to me is "I'm not interested in politics they're boring, nothing to do with me".
Really? So 'we' are one thing and in our own little cloud and 'politics' is in a little box, just over there, nothing to do with the stuff of ordinary life.
Well I've got news for you. Life is politics. Every single thing we do is influenced by politics and failing to use your vote to at least attempt to change the things you don't like.or to improve the things which are already in place, whether your interest is in housing, education, health, community or any other aspect of daily existence is a shameful waste of opportunity.
In this country we have a reasonably democratic way of life, with many freedoms not available to people in many other countries. It is our right certainly but also our sacred duty to use the vote our predecessors fought so hard for.
Not going to vote? Shame on you.
Well said Ray.....unless you use your vote you have no right to moan!
ReplyDeleteGod forbid I should ever be denied that right Jean. :-)
DeleteHear, hear. I agree with every word, Ray Nothing will ever change unless ordinary people use their great privilege of voting, which was so hard-won by other ordinary people.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the rant Perpetua, but it was seeing only one other person in the polling station that triggered my reaction. I do so hope that was not an indication of what will happen country-wide.
DeleteI'm with you, too, Ray. It amazes me how many people, particularly religious people, say that they shouldn't even have anything to do with politics as if it is in a realm of its own (and that practicing our faith is also in a realm of its own). We live in a world shaped and governed by public policy - all of it is intertwined.
ReplyDeleteWell, that makes four of us Penny. We have a quorum. Maybe not enough to change the world but, at least a start. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure that voting is a 'sacred duty' but I certainly consider it a civic duty as a citizen who is grateful for all those who worked so hard and protested so long, some at the cost of their lives, to extend the suffrage to eventually include all adult British residents. And if you care at all about people (even only oneself or nearest and dearest) then it makes no sense not to participate in the political process. Politics is about people and communities - it really matters.
ReplyDeleteJust semantics Nancy, but in essence what you have just said is what I was trying to say.
ReplyDeleteHaving voted "No" to Europe back in the day, it galled me to hear people who I knew never used their votes, complaining bitterly about 'being governed by Brussels.'
When you think how many people have no voice even in this day and age, we are morally obliged to use ours I believe.
Amen! I have often found myself saying, "If you don't vote, you forfeit your right to an opinion about our leaders." It is appalling to me that here in the U.S. roughly 57% of populace exercise both privilege & duty to make their wishes known while 43% side on the sidelines.
ReplyDeleteSad.
Well Kathleen, as you know if you sit on the fence too long all you get is splinters.
ReplyDeleteRichly deserved I'd say.:-)