With the election just days away it seems almost unreal that the outcome is so unknown. Is the sudden surge of the NDP a sign that the Canadian government is out of touch with the people who are demanding change? Or is there much more at work?
The amount of young people voting, or planning to vote this election is up considerably. Twitter, blogs and facebook have become a major contributor in starting movements amongst the young and in fact all of us. Things such as flash mob have become a reality throughout the world as people demand to be heard and gather like minded individuals to make a difference. For example, look at the middle east. People no longer completely rely on the main media for their insight into politics. Nor do they totally trust such things as the Angus Reid Poll (and perhaps we shouldn't as most young people no longer have a land line phone which is how all polls are conducted). Many so called experts have their own agendas when giving their take on things, and news anchors - while trying to remain totally impartial - with a wrong phrase or even an unintentional facial expression, can sway thousands of votes.
In 2008 voter turnout was at a historic low of 59.1 per cent. It's a sad, sad commentary on how little people believe their vote actually makes a difference, but with a somewhat underground community of our youth the numbers are seeming to be changing the advanced polls are up 34.5 per cent.
Could it be that people are starting to believe that their votes count? Can it be that the youth are actually getting engaged in their future and the future of this county? Can it be that politics will actually become important again? Maybe it's because with the new ways of communicating people can make up their own opinion instead of relying on someone else to tell them how to vote. One thing for sure is that the way parties run campaigns will never be the same. Perhaps even politics as a whole will have to change in such a changing world. Whatever may be the case, get out and vote for which ever party, or person you feel will make a difference. It's our right and there are many people in this world who do not have that.
