Sabrina Macpherson asks of Ken Boessenkool, if those among us who are most engaged in protecting the core values of liberal democracy don't vote, then who the hell do we expect to vote, exactly?
"If those among us who are most engaged in protecting the core values of liberal democracy don't vote, then who the hell do we expect to vote, exactly? Why do we presume that it's enough to have other people preserve democracy on our behalf? "
Thank you, 100% agree, even if its the "least worst" choice
Agreed, no matter how bad and worse two candidates are instinct tells me that one is worse than the other. It might take some digging to figure out which is which but the digging is the secret sauce to democracies.
Good call. I also bristled when I read Boessekool’s dismissal of the need to vote. He ends up coming off like some privileged Canadian untouched by the realities of truly bad governments. Which is exactly what the vast majority us Canadians are. Never take your freedom and comparative wealth for granted. Step up and accept this small responsibility even if it’s while holding your nose and casting your ballot for the candidate that you believe will do the least damage.
Well said. May I offer something else? I live and vote in Ottawa-Vanier, a largely francophone riding in an anglophone city that always, forever and at every level elects a Liberal. I vote, never yet for a Liberal, because the other parties need to know they are appreciated and important alternatives--and because a smart winning candidate is going to look at the share of the popular vote those alternatives got.
Very happy to see this rebuttal, even more so that I can comment on it! I'm not sure what so-called Centre Ice Conservatives want to accomplish, but going on their own ain't it. I'm centre and I won't be voting for them, they should instead produce good policy and ideas and vision for the CPC.
100% agree with Sabrina. I voted today - it was, perhaps, the most unpleasant ballot choice I've ever been faced with, but at least I made that choice.
Thank you Ms. Macpherson for a great rebuttal. As along time Albertan we all see this election as too close to call. All the more reason why we must look beyond the candidates to assess the longer term democratic principles we see as important. I was frankly more shocked that Ken would lead a campaign for the party leadership knowing full well what the candidates represented going in and what the outcome was possibly before hand and then decides to not vote.
Well said Sabrina...thank you . Leading up to the last Provincial election in Ontario I was leaning toward not voting but a friend made a similar argument to yours and so I held my nose and voted for the least worst option. My candidate didn’t get elected but I feel comfortable in confronting the guy who did..and holding his feet to the fire every chance I get.
Cons who aren't voting, or those who are "lending" their votes to the other party are really using this as their method of settling scores and doing what Cons do best, ie, saying," if I can't play my way, I'm taking my toys and going home". The author has it right.
Like all true acts of service, voting is about shifting focus away from our own individual wants and participating in a practice that puts our community's needs first. Either the principle of individuals actively participating in democratic elections to inform the direction of their collective democracy is important, or it's not. If it is, then voting for the "least bad option" is better than shrugging it off. If we can't give the people around us the best, then we can protect them from the worst — and that is an important act of care for and engagement with our community." This right here is what convinced me to go vote.
I liked the rebuttal to Boessenkool's "not voting" declaration, which is like taking your ball and going home when upset during a scrub ballgame. Also, some thoughtful responses, though a few that seem all to similar to some of the UCP's more extreme supporters. I still feel gobsmacked by the assertion that both major parties are too extreme. I can buy that in part for the UCP given its last two leaders, but saying the NDP is promoting more socialism strikes me as a knee jerk response based largely on the rhetoric of rightwing politicians. Somehow people seem not to realize how socialistic the UCP government has been, only their targets are not individuals but corporations, primarily those in oil and gas. Surely subsidizing them is not all that different from subsidizing individuals.
I agree that The Line delivers a more nuanced view compared to Lorne Gunter or David Staples, but that is a pretty low bar to exceed. There remains a fairly strong conservative bias in most of the entries, although in my view Jen Gerson provides the most balanced perspective (along with the most fbombs, and interesting combination).
"If those among us who are most engaged in protecting the core values of liberal democracy don't vote, then who the hell do we expect to vote, exactly? Why do we presume that it's enough to have other people preserve democracy on our behalf? "
Thank you, 100% agree, even if its the "least worst" choice
Agreed, no matter how bad and worse two candidates are instinct tells me that one is worse than the other. It might take some digging to figure out which is which but the digging is the secret sauce to democracies.
Good call. I also bristled when I read Boessekool’s dismissal of the need to vote. He ends up coming off like some privileged Canadian untouched by the realities of truly bad governments. Which is exactly what the vast majority us Canadians are. Never take your freedom and comparative wealth for granted. Step up and accept this small responsibility even if it’s while holding your nose and casting your ballot for the candidate that you believe will do the least damage.
Damn fine rebuttal. Damn fine. Thanks for the honour of a rebuttal.
Only one point: The (increasingly small) libertarian in me rejects “must” in the last paragraph.
Ok, two: Kinda funny you reject US comparisons immediately before you make one!
But those are minor. Thanks again for your excellent rebuttal.
Well said. May I offer something else? I live and vote in Ottawa-Vanier, a largely francophone riding in an anglophone city that always, forever and at every level elects a Liberal. I vote, never yet for a Liberal, because the other parties need to know they are appreciated and important alternatives--and because a smart winning candidate is going to look at the share of the popular vote those alternatives got.
Very happy to see this rebuttal, even more so that I can comment on it! I'm not sure what so-called Centre Ice Conservatives want to accomplish, but going on their own ain't it. I'm centre and I won't be voting for them, they should instead produce good policy and ideas and vision for the CPC.
Thank you. Agreed. Make a decision. Choose. I was shocked at the no vote option.
Three cheers for you, Sabrina Macpherson!
I like to think that I make an informed vote for the benefits which will cover the majority of Canadians.
Agreed 100% with all of Sabrina’s well thought out rebuttal.
100% agree with Sabrina. I voted today - it was, perhaps, the most unpleasant ballot choice I've ever been faced with, but at least I made that choice.
Thank you Ms. Macpherson for a great rebuttal. As along time Albertan we all see this election as too close to call. All the more reason why we must look beyond the candidates to assess the longer term democratic principles we see as important. I was frankly more shocked that Ken would lead a campaign for the party leadership knowing full well what the candidates represented going in and what the outcome was possibly before hand and then decides to not vote.
This was very well said and a great perspective.
Well said Sabrina...thank you . Leading up to the last Provincial election in Ontario I was leaning toward not voting but a friend made a similar argument to yours and so I held my nose and voted for the least worst option. My candidate didn’t get elected but I feel comfortable in confronting the guy who did..and holding his feet to the fire every chance I get.
Cons who aren't voting, or those who are "lending" their votes to the other party are really using this as their method of settling scores and doing what Cons do best, ie, saying," if I can't play my way, I'm taking my toys and going home". The author has it right.
Thank you, Sabrina Macpherson. Excellent points!
Like all true acts of service, voting is about shifting focus away from our own individual wants and participating in a practice that puts our community's needs first. Either the principle of individuals actively participating in democratic elections to inform the direction of their collective democracy is important, or it's not. If it is, then voting for the "least bad option" is better than shrugging it off. If we can't give the people around us the best, then we can protect them from the worst — and that is an important act of care for and engagement with our community." This right here is what convinced me to go vote.
I liked the rebuttal to Boessenkool's "not voting" declaration, which is like taking your ball and going home when upset during a scrub ballgame. Also, some thoughtful responses, though a few that seem all to similar to some of the UCP's more extreme supporters. I still feel gobsmacked by the assertion that both major parties are too extreme. I can buy that in part for the UCP given its last two leaders, but saying the NDP is promoting more socialism strikes me as a knee jerk response based largely on the rhetoric of rightwing politicians. Somehow people seem not to realize how socialistic the UCP government has been, only their targets are not individuals but corporations, primarily those in oil and gas. Surely subsidizing them is not all that different from subsidizing individuals.
I agree that The Line delivers a more nuanced view compared to Lorne Gunter or David Staples, but that is a pretty low bar to exceed. There remains a fairly strong conservative bias in most of the entries, although in my view Jen Gerson provides the most balanced perspective (along with the most fbombs, and interesting combination).