Do non-voters have a right to complain about government?

Article content

See more Toronto Sun on Google – save as a preference Source

Article content

So, you don’t agree?

Article content

Article content

I realize that the crossover of people who don’t vote and people who read the paper probably isn’t big, but I want those who don’t vote.

The usual argument is that if you don’t vote, you have no right to complain, but I disagree. Everyone has a right to an opinion and the right to complain about anything they want to complain about.

Citizens retain their rights regardless of their voting record. I reserve my right to at least no matter what a non-voter thinks of the state of the nation or the city. I don’t need to listen to you.

Nothing noble about not choosing

The first group that drives me crazy are the journalists who don’t vote. They somehow think they are noble and impartial by not voting.

One reason that is ridiculous is that, since they are very well informed, there is no way they would not know who they would vote for. Even C-3PO had an opinion – and he’s a machine.

The other reason is that they are citizens first and journalists second. Do your duty and then your work.

Article content

Article content

If you are a woman who does not vote, the women of 1917 are calling and they want to have a say. Here’s what they tell you:

According to the Canadian EncyclopediaIn January 1834, the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada (now Quebec) passed an electoral act with a clause restricting the suffrage of women, ostensibly to protect them from “dangerous conditions” at the polling stations.

At least seven women voted in the 1844 election in Canada West (now Ontario). This was the first recorded instance of women breaking common law tradition by voting in the province.

On October 18, 1929, the Imperial Privy Council decided that women were legal “persons” and could therefore retain seats in the Senate.

Status Indians gained the right to vote in federal elections — no longer losing their status or treaty rights in the process — in 1960.

Recommended VIDEO

We apologize, but this video could not be loaded.

Play video

Don’t take the system for granted

Suffrage was hard won from the time the king’s power was thrown away until women were recognized as full persons and citizens, along with the rights of minorities who could not vote at first.

Article content

Those rights were won through the political process, but they are things we take for granted today. Not voting is the ultimate expression of taking the system for granted, believing you can never lose your rights.

Hard-won rights can be taken away and have been in impressive short order in countries around the world. At least 15 countries do not allow voting at all today.

Or does choosing not mean you think everything is okay?

Are you afraid of taking public transport? Are you concerned about public drug use, crime and the general decline of a city? Or do you think taxes have gone up too much or not enough to cover the services you want?

And what about those services? You count on some? What if they were to leave? Too bad if a candidate wins and removes or downgrades these services and you are sitting on your couch.

Too much work studying? Who needs you?

I’m sorry if the voter turnout is low, but I’m happy not to compete with lazy, uninformed people at the ballot box.

Article content