Youth Vote
Is kicking youth out the best way to keep them in?
"It was a democratic exercise that they should have been proud of because there were so many potential voters in that crowd that may have voted for them," Hirji said of Monday's so-called "vote mob," where political slogans, signs and negative messaging were forbidden in an effort to keep the event non-partisan.
"Instead they are now turning away," said Hirji.
There is much hand-wringing over the lack of involvement - and basic interest - from young people in Canadian democracy, even when it comes to something as straightforward and simple as casting a ballot in an election.
Yet everyone remains after the elusive youth. Political parties try to court their vote. Political scientists try to understand why they are so difficult to reach. Media try to tailor stories to young voters. Activists run mock elections and hold rock concerts to encourage greater participation.
...
"Students feel like it is a toxic environment and politicians just lie and bicker all the time and control the events - like to control the media that they get and what not - and the real message we're trying to get across is we have the power to change this," he added.
I posted this topic hoping to hear more from some youth that might want to speak up. We need to hear from you.
I'm starting to pick up on a troubling narrative--one that's making inroads into Antonia Zerbisias's prolific facebook threads--which is blaming youth apathy for the Conservative government. The implied gist is: obviously youth would be better served by a non-Conservative government, and would have voted in a Liberal minority last election if they had voted, but because they don't care (are apathetic, are lazy, etc.) we (i.e. the concerned adult citizens) are stuck with the Cons. Even Rick Mercer is getting in on the act.
What's missing from this blame game, of course, is the fact that no government has ever been a friend to young people, even the ones they voted in. We only have to look at ever-rising student debt and tuition, environmental policy, and youth unemployment to answer why young people are disenchanted with politics.
Your last sentence is bang on. While I find my generation's complete disengagement from politics to the point where they don't even vote annoying and somewhat pathetic, since it doesn't require a lot of effort to vote. I look at that as a political junky, so for the averge person who doesn't have as much of an interest in politics, this isn't surprising.
Frankly, if we're going to be playing generational warfare and 'blame the generations' game, I'd consider the Boomers the most ridiculous generation in the history of the planet. They basically got to reap the benefits of the work that the 'silent' and 'greatest' generations did, with an unmatched level of prosperity that provided them with cheap energy, relatively secure jobs, the ability to access an affordable housing market and affordable education, then they complain about how entitled their own kids are. Well hello geniuses, you raised us! The only difference is that we don't get all the the benefits you did. And why do you wonder why we're bitter little shits who play "30 is the new 20" game? (Physically and mentally it's not true, but if you're 40K in debt at the age of 23 with only a Bachelor's Degree it's no wonder you still live at home!)
When I got my first full time entry-level "big boy" job, it was nearly impossible to get it in the first place, which I attribute somewhat to my age, as I had about five years experience in a similar-ish part-time job, an eduation and a lot of volunteer experience. All of this could easily be spun as being qualified so frankly I don't think it should've taken as long for me to get that job as I did. I know it was due to age because I was told a couple times that I did really well in the interview, and they liked my resume, but that they had to go with the other applicant because they had "more experience" (as if I was applying to be a Brain Surgeon or something). I've heard some people complain about discrimination in the job market when it comes to older workers, the same can easily be said about Millennials.
Everyone who's voting is either voting green or liberal. Most are not voting.
I think this is the right opportunity to note that since Françoise David is taking a few months off to do some writing, Québec solidaire has a new co-spokesperson alongside Amir Khadir. Her name is Émilie Guimond-Bélanger, and she is 22 years old. Read about her here. She says:
She was one of many Quebeckers arrested for no reason by the fascist pigs during the G20 and detained for 60 hours - I posted a video press conference of hers at the time (will try to find it again).
Those who suggest that today's youth are "apathetic" should really go get a life somewhere. I have never seen a generation with such knowledge and wisdom and passion - and I've seen a few.
ETA: Here is the article and the video.
Probably not the right thread, but need to post this somewhere:
Arcade Fire says get out and vote - against Harper
Sorry for posting the entire blog entry, but CBC is falsely reporting that the entry was removed this evening - so I'd better preserve it in case that comes true.
This is the best negative advertising I've seen yet - and from what I see, young people love it:
Shit Harper Did
Equally good - or even better - are their videos (linked from the site but not obvious):
http://www.youtube.com/user/ShitHarperDid
I agree, the site is great. Clean, funny and too the point. And the videos are great ("Ryan Gosling does not endorse", etc.). But for some reason, Unionist, your image is taking ages to load.
Made it smaller... It was a pretty hi-res graphic.
Here's an article about the website:
Conservatives do their best to supress the youth vote in Guelph
http://www.guelphmercury.com/news/local/article/517010--conservatives-ask-elections-canada-to-nullify-votes-cast-of-u-of-g-wednesday
Here's the CPC letter seeking to cancel 700 votes.
+++The POS Harper CONs are unbelievable in this action, I hope charges are launched against them.
Golly, I hope Elections Canada is paying full attention to such obviously partisan content, and checking that nobody paid too much money to get it on the Web. Because they sure paid attention when BAD PEOPLE did it in the past...
From the sounds of it, the Tory complaint doesn't have a leg to stand on, and the Burke campaign knows they've made a huge mistake with the (alleged) interferer with the voting process dodging the media. What are the odds the 'meeting' was convened the very moment the Mercury reporter walked in the door of the campaign office?
I hope the Tory complaint is rejected, and that any person who attempts to interfere with the voting process is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Surprise, surprise, there's no mention of it on the Sun's website.
What are you talking about?
Because it makes absolutely no sense.
The youth are not incorrect with their lack of engagement in the political processes. It appears that each generation of them starts out with the keenness of mind to sense bullshit when they encounter it. With age however, they develop varying levels of immunity to the smell, which permits them to take their place within an order that gradually wears them down and away from idealism, to the point where they become middle aged and senior supporters of conservative causes. Early mobilization and engagement appears to be the key with them, but it won't do any good to offer more of what currently presents itself along the visible spectrum. They've already rejected it in droves, and rightly so.
Yvonne and her fellow students at Guelph U are going to be quite crushed when they discover Harper has tried to void their vote. It seems only when they can control it does democracy work for the Conservatives. Does Harper have no shame?
http://www.guelphmercury.com/opinion/columns/article/516819--just-voted-a-column-from-a-yes-woman
That's not bad out of a student population hovering above 30,000. Yep, the young liberal's club and their drinking buddies sure are passionate.
http://www.sfu.ca/~aheard/elections/laws.html
http://simplemassingpriest.blogspot.com/2011/04/wannabe-lawyerism.html
I think the notion that youth are being singled out is only true in part. Although governments claim to appeal to seniors and middle aged people there are enough examples of them getting the short shrift too.
I am not saying that it is illusion, I think it is an important point. But the phenomenon of youth not voting is more complex than that. Lack of political education, a sense of place in the community, and simple apathy also play a role.
If anything, I am sure disaffection varies according to class, just like a lot of other things. I remember that back in 1982 the conservative party gave one-third of its decision-making power to their youth wing, so it is not simply a case of youth being ignored.
That SFU link was less than helpful. Why the inability to come out and say straight what it is you are trying to get at?
I think (I could be wrong) ygtbk is pointing out the irony that Elections Canada might be paying attention to this tiny little ShitHarperDid campiagn and seeing if they go over $150 000 in donations, whereas when serious players committed serious unethical conduct with the big parties (i.e CPC and LPC), they weren't too interested.
I thought it was pretty clear. We do not have free speech during election campaigns in Canada, and Elections Canada has been selective in their enforcement.
Thank you catchfire, I had thought he meant the opposite.
It wasn't clear at all, and we do have free speech in Canada just hate speech is not allowed.
Harper should be apologizing to those Guelph U students and it is quite sad that the Cons show little respect for democracy unless they control it. Disgusting behaviour.
WTF These Cons just lie and lie and lie. There is no end to their BS.
http://blog.decisioncanada.ca/uncategorized/tories-applaud-decision-to-c...
The Guelph Mercury reported that students witnessed Michael Sona, Communications Director for Conservative candidate Marty Burke, "attempted to put a stop to voting at the special ballot held Wednesday."
Brenna Anstett, a student who was voting at the time, said:
"He tried to grab for the ballot box. I'm not sure he got his hand on the box, but he definitely grabbed for it."
- Guelph Mercury, Apr. 14, 2011
Reports indicate that Conservatives have also written to Elections Canada requesting that the University of Guelph votes be voided. Monk said these Conservative tactics are unacceptable.
"This is an outrageous attempt by the Harper Conservatives to silence young voters and lower turnout," said Monk.
Monk noted similar tactics by Liberals in 2006 when they quashed a special ballot initiative aimed at encouraging youth voter turnout at the University of Toronto (Globe and Mail, Jan. 20, 2006).
"These Conservatives appear to be picking up where the Liberals left off," said Monk.
http://www.northumberlandview.ca/index.php?module=news&func=display&sid=...
I can't believe this comment on the G&M article by "Conservative for Life":
There was no attempt to "steal" the ballot box. The Conservative representative was just going to hold the ballot box for safe-keeping to ensure that none of the tainted ballots were counted on election night. Someone had to do it.
Ahh, conservatives, shoot first and fact check later.