Should The Forgotten Communities Vote in Upcoming General Elections?

When I was younger, campaigning was one of my fortes. Brian Charles and later Rufus Bousquet were local elected officials, so for my friends and family, campaigning not only meant convincing persons, it meant the excitement of holding signs while shouting out, “Vote Brian/Rufus!” It meant handing out campaign materials in many communities. It meant getting to stay up late at election night parties, watching with baited breath as folks scurried in with boxes of polling stations results, which were then written-up on long, papered walls. (Now that results are released online, election night parties are considerably less exciting.)

These days, I greet Elections with far less enthusiasm. (And this particular year I greet it with no enthusiasm at all. Nothing but dread.)

I’ve grown up. I’ve awakened to the fact that we live in an imperfect world full of flawed people. And I’ve now (mostly through my work as a blogger) had a close-enough view of politics to know that its poor reputation is pretty well deserved. I’ve become frustrated with our political system and I’ve given up the idea that any candidate can be a knight in shining armor.

But I will vote. I vote in every single election and you should too. Here are some reasons why:

You do believe in having the right to vote, but are unsure as to whether it really will make a difference. So, should you vote or not? Yes - if you want better healthcare, education and childcare, fairer taxation, basic income for all, better roads and transport, better local amenities because the government  runs all these services and your vote in a General, Election will send a message about what sort of St Lucia you want and expect.

Any complaints you may have about anything related to politics (and everything is related to politics) will ring rather hollow after June 6, 2021, if you do not do the absolute minimum to make a difference by voting. 

Voting is the most fundamental way of expressing an opinion on what the parties are planning on doing if elected. Failing to do so makes any subsequent complaints about what the government is doing fairly hypocritical. I am among those who believe that you forfeit your right to bitch and complain about government if you fail to vote. And I find that complaining about government is a healthy and often a productive activity. 

I vote so that I can register my own independent thinking. And then I follow up that voting by interacting with my elected officials. You should too. Don’t vote? Can’t moan! Want to moan? Got to vote!

Do you let other people make all of your decisions for you, or do you value independent thought? If personal independence is important to you, then voting should be too.

When it comes to getting involved in the political process, Abraham Lincoln puts it best: “Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”

Ultimately, you should research your candidates and the issues, and make an informed vote that works for you. After all, if you don’t vote in your own interests, who will? Plus, smart people vote. You’re smart, right?