I have written several past posts on the fact that for the most part, youth do not vote, largely because they see nothing on offer from any of the major parties dealing with their issues. The problem, of course, is that as long as they remain a minor presence at the polls, their issues will continue to be ignored. We only have to see the current political rhetoric revolving around the middle class to know who our politicos fear.
Change can only come when the young show that they are indeed a force to be reckoned with. I discovered a site yesterday that makes specific appeal to that demographic. Check it out, and if you know any young potential voters, send it along to them. Below is a sample of how Harpoon 2015 is approaching the problem.
Great link Lorne, I shall add that one to my 'Democracy on the web' side bar and probably give it a bit of promotion in future posts. Hope it helps get out youth engaged!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Rural! It certainly strikes me as an effective approach to disaffected young voters.
DeleteCanada's great greasy political caste can solve their own problem whenever they choose, Lorne. All they need do is speak to young people, understand their very serious concerns, and address them with real policies (not more of the endless bullshit and twaddle - that resonate with our youth). Christ only knows how shamelessly they whore up to us, the geezer class, with policies that often screw the young. Blame that on the kids? I don't think so.
ReplyDeleteLiberal, NDP or Con, they're all rushing to lard our pantries, my friend, and pass the tab along for today's youth to shoulder in years to come. They won't even stop devastating the environment in which these young people will have to try to raise their own families.
If I was them, I might get involved with politics but I'd use a crowbar.
Given young people's ability to detect crap when they hear it, Mound, they really could put the political class on the hotseat if they proved their passion for change. From my perspective, as deeply flawed as it is, politics is the only way to effect meaningful change, but first, people have to show that they care.
Deletehi Lorne...although I found the video a little condescending, they should just try to speaking to young people as they would any others, I welcome the Harpoon initiative. The more the merrier. What they all need to do is connect casting a ballot to the real life situations facing youth today, low paying jobs, no security, no benefits, global warming etc etc. Also in the longer term we should also consider lowering the voting age to sixteen as they have in Scotland. I know that sounds radical, but studies show that the sooner you can get young people involved in the process the more they will continue to get involved and vote as they get older. It worked for the SNP in the referendum and the recent British election, where the 16 and 17 year olds had a higher rate of voting than did those slightly older. So I can't see why it can't work here. Treat older teenagers like young adults and you'll be surprised how they respond. And if you appeal to their youthful idealism great things can happen....
ReplyDeleteA very interesting suggestion, Simon. It certainly would give real meaning to the civics courses they teach in high school, and could possibly lead to a revamping of the curriculum with special emphasis not just on the structure of government but the responsibilities each citizen has to contribute to the health of their democracy.
DeleteBut then again, do we have any parties with sufficient integrity to unleash the beast of idealism, which would surely be a threat to their status quo politics?