The low provincial voter turn out (approx. 50%) is a gross insult to the memory of those who gave their lives or became a casualty in one form or another during military service in all our armed forces in all the conflicts they served in to protect our democracy.
Those guilty of ignoring, mistreating or denying themselves the benefits and privileges of what these young people fought and died for is just plain ignorant, ungrateful, self -centered, unforgivable and unacceptable.
Politicians who do not fully embrace the concept of democracy or the democratic process have learned they have trouble getting elected or holding on to power if the voter count is high but can have more success if the voter turn out is suppressed.
Voter suppression was used with great success in the last Federal election by causing almost a million voters to stay home and not vote. Now that this highly successful technique has been exposed we can expect this system will be used by all political parties in the future, putting democracy it self at risk.
I believe all elections should be held on or just after Remembrance Day to help remind us what we are really voting for and why.
As the voter suppression system is delivered by attack ads they should be banned forcing all parties to debate the issues. Another alternative can be found at Link..
I hope the sacrifice of others will not be in vain if we choose to let democracy slip away.
Bill McLaughlin
Brantford, ON
