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It's been said that you only get out of democracy what you put into it and I totally with that and if you want to get the most out of it, you have to actively participate
But that entails a lot more than most people think.
As far as voting goes, it's certainly important but on its own it's not enough. Here in Canada, we've had abysmal voter turn out at both federal and provincial elections in recent years. I think voter turn out in the last federal election was around 60%. This kind of apathy is all too prevalent. But one of my biggest peeves have come from some people who do vote but harshly criticize others who express cynicism and don't see any point in voting at all. These voters often have a self-righteous, holier-than-thou-attitude towards the cynics and will typically say something like "you should be ashamed...soldiers gave their lives in two world wars to protect your right to vote and if everyone had your attitude, we'd be much worse of...blah...blah...blah...." The irony of it is that it's these self-righteous types are often every bit as responsible for the sad state of democracy. They've somehow got it into their heads that all they have to do is show up at a polling station every four years, put a little 'X' on a ballot and think they've done their democratic duty and their job is done...until next election.
A few years back, I used to subscribe to a NG and we were talking about this issue and I said something lamenting how the days when politicians actually did what their constituents wanted them to are gone. And his rebuttal was one I'll never forget. I'm glad I had the foresight to save it:
Smart guy. 
I still vote, but I'm not going to criticize anyone who chooses not to, since there are far more ways to affect meaningful change in the system.
But that entails a lot more than most people think.
As far as voting goes, it's certainly important but on its own it's not enough. Here in Canada, we've had abysmal voter turn out at both federal and provincial elections in recent years. I think voter turn out in the last federal election was around 60%. This kind of apathy is all too prevalent. But one of my biggest peeves have come from some people who do vote but harshly criticize others who express cynicism and don't see any point in voting at all. These voters often have a self-righteous, holier-than-thou-attitude towards the cynics and will typically say something like "you should be ashamed...soldiers gave their lives in two world wars to protect your right to vote and if everyone had your attitude, we'd be much worse of...blah...blah...blah...." The irony of it is that it's these self-righteous types are often every bit as responsible for the sad state of democracy. They've somehow got it into their heads that all they have to do is show up at a polling station every four years, put a little 'X' on a ballot and think they've done their democratic duty and their job is done...until next election.
A few years back, I used to subscribe to a NG and we were talking about this issue and I said something lamenting how the days when politicians actually did what their constituents wanted them to are gone. And his rebuttal was one I'll never forget. I'm glad I had the foresight to save it:
"In the old days, people got involved with their parties and participated. That's how they were in a position to get them to do what they wanted.
Nowadays, people sit on their sofa griping and don't get up to do their jobs - which is to participate directly with their political parties and make sure that policy reflects their wishes.
I have no idea when it became common to think 'my job as a citizen to protect my democracy is confined to showing up once every 4 years to vote', but it's completely bonkers.
It would be like walking into a restaurant, demanding the chef to send you whatever he thought you wanted without your ordering, and then be annoyed it's not really what you felt like eating.
Our job begins long before an election and continues long after. We've forgotten that. Now the politicians get to choose what we're going to have to eat, and we're shocked when it turns out to be a dog's breakfast. Who's screwing up? We are!"
Nowadays, people sit on their sofa griping and don't get up to do their jobs - which is to participate directly with their political parties and make sure that policy reflects their wishes.
I have no idea when it became common to think 'my job as a citizen to protect my democracy is confined to showing up once every 4 years to vote', but it's completely bonkers.
It would be like walking into a restaurant, demanding the chef to send you whatever he thought you wanted without your ordering, and then be annoyed it's not really what you felt like eating.
Our job begins long before an election and continues long after. We've forgotten that. Now the politicians get to choose what we're going to have to eat, and we're shocked when it turns out to be a dog's breakfast. Who's screwing up? We are!"
I still vote, but I'm not going to criticize anyone who chooses not to, since there are far more ways to affect meaningful change in the system.
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