58% voter turnout? – Give us our money back Democracy 250
Cats: Canada, politics|Last year, the politicians of this province lavished $9M on something called Democracy 250. The idea was to engage young people in the democratic process.
They brought in two former premiers – old, grey-haired, stodgy men – as co-chairs of this “celebration.” Typical of Nova Scotia politicians, these men have all the charisma of an aging vicar in a backwoods parish.
The old guys lectured on CBC radio and in the newspaper, oblivious to the fact that young people don’t listen to CBC radio or read the newspaper.
When invited to a discussion on social media and politics during the election campaign, not one candidate or politician or Democracy 250 official showed up.
During the D250 “celebration” the old guys went on junkets to look up important documents in London England.
There were also made-in-China T-shirts – in “celebration” of democracy. Jackets and sweatshirts too! The delicious irony of that went over their heads.
There was a “youth” concert viewed by cool youth as patronizing. They tried to imbue the concert with “cool” by calling it the D-2-Fiddy concert which made the whole thing look even more ridiculous.
They also held a masquerade ball in which no youth attended because it wasn’t really for the youth.
The website was designed in an 18-century scroll. Way to engage the youth, guys!
At the end of the “celebration” the junketeers and beneficiaries of the Democracy 250 largesse congratulated themselves on job well done.
And the voter turnout in the recent election was 58%, one of the lowest ever.
Give us our money back Democracy 250.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Like you said in the other thread, GT, the platforms there are all similar. If it were kept a secret who the elected party was I’m sure the average citizen wouldn’t be able to figure out who the ruling party is.
That is my explanation for poor turnout…it just doesn’t matter who gets in to the average folk.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
The whole thing sounds particularly ill advised and poorly executed. The youth are not stupid, they can sense when someone is faking cool. Except of course that they never even received the message.
June 15th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
Yes it was kinda sad wasn’t it. The D250 office was near mine and we looked on in amusement as the racks and racks of 18th century clothes and (powdered?) wigs were wheeled in before the ball.
June 16th, 2009 at 2:13 am
Wow. 58%. Apathy is infuriating. Guess I’m in the minority.
June 16th, 2009 at 11:56 am
Canada should try the Italian way, if you don’t vote, you’re excluded from getting a life-time government job. For 2 million Canadian dollars, they could’ve flown in U2 and gotten better results.
June 21st, 2009 at 11:24 am
Dick, that and so many other reasons. The US saw voter participating increase in 2008. Canada doesn’t produce charismatic leaders, Trudeau being the exception. John Ibiston’s book Why America has Obama and Canada has Stephen Harper makes a compelling argument about the shortcomings of Canada political systems.
Barbara, you had to be here to believe it.
Queenie, Democracy 250 was a big patronage project design to give the political snouts a round at the trough.
Allison, sadly the governmnet here likes it that way
Cormac in Australia it’s illegal not to vote. Canadians want to protect their right not to vote. Go figure.