A SPECIAL MESSAGE TO STRATEGIC VOTERS:
"I'd rather vote for something I want & not get it, than vote for something I don't want, and get it." Eugene Debs.
Do you "hold your nose" and vote for a Political Party you don't really like in order to stop another one you like even less? The bigger Parties encourage this "lesser of two evils" voting strategy in order to keep themselves in the Legislature and to take their turn at Government. We have had all three Parties as Government over the past fifteen years and the question has to be asked: Is this voting strategy getting us what we really need? Or is it perpetuating mediocre government and out-dated policies? Don't be fooled again by this least-worst voting tactic. There is a real alternative. Vote for your true preference over a longer period than one election and watch the effect of a continuously-growing Green vote on the political landscape. The political impact of this perseverance will surprise everyone.
Here is what happens when you consistently vote Green over several election cycles.
1)A GROWING GREEN VOTE SHIFTS EVERYONE'S AGENDA.In Ontario’s political system we have the three main
parties splitting the vote. This makes the second and especially the third
placed parties particularly sensitive to new but growing political challengers
(like the Greens) in order to hold onto all their seats. At our current 5%
to 10% support level we are more than on the radar screen - our voter base
is wanted! A significant shift in the policy focus of the second and third
placed parties will have a follow-on effect on the front-runner. A small but
growing political party can influence the political agenda far out of proportion to their actual
vote count. That said, the need to continue increasing the Green vote becomes essential
to consolidating these gains and avoiding agenda reversals.
2) GREEN POLICY IDEAS ARE IMPLEMENTED. As the Green vote continues to
steadily grow, other parties will copy even more of our policies in an attempt
to slow us down. This will help Ontario regardless of who is in power. Even
the Federal Liberal government, with its power base built around 100 Ontario
federal M.P's, will react to Ontario Green Party vote gains. If you are in
a Riding with a Federal Liberal M.P it is especially effective to vote Green.
Send a signal to Ottawa and Toronto at the same time with a single vote!
3) THE GREEN PARTY GAINS CRITICAL MOMENTUM.
By helping your local Green Party meet its vote-growth target over multiple elections, you give it invaluable momentum between elections and at the next election. This momentum boosts morale, fund raising capacity, and volunteer involvement. A growing vote-base makes the Green Party more and more attractive to higher-profile candidates and increases media reporting. Success is contagious.
4) CITIZEN LEADERSHIP AFFIRMED.
"If the people lead - the leaders will follow". You will have sent a strong message to the political elites that you are in charge and that YOU DO NOT have to vote for the status quo parties. Until such time as citizens can bring Proportional Representation (PR) voting to Ontario, this is the next best way to take back your power.
5) YOU GAIN PEACE OF MIND.
You also won't have the morning-after-the-election hangover. You honoured your principles. You can face the next election without cynicism or regrets.
…AND NON-VOTERS
We certainly understand your frustration & /or disinterest. In a first-past-the-post system such as ours, a vote other than for the winning Party doesn't seem to make much difference. Moreover, the choices are often less than inspiring - more of the same old Political Parties pandering to lobbyists and moneyed interests to keep the status quo. Unfortunately, when you don't vote, it actually benefits the status quo by keeping the same people in power. And the real “special interests” that benefit from this status quo are those big employers who exploit workers, those corporations that casually pollute or clear-cut, deal-makers who take over more and more of what is publicly owned for their own profit. These special interests are grateful for your non-participation. It keeps them in power and in money.
Certainly the last fifteen years in Ontario have been very discouraging. During an incredible sequence of Liberal, then NDP, and finally Conservative governments, we have witnessed a steady decline in healthcare, education, water, air quality, and local community. Poverty and homelessness have increased, post-secondary school tuition fees have skyrocketed. Big multinational corporations have become richer at the expense of democracy and employment security. All three of the governing parties lacked either the political backbone or the environmental and social awareness to address the root causes of these trends. And then they wonder (or perhaps in some instances celebrate) why fewer and fewer people vote at election time.The Green Party and its policies are exciting alternatives to this status quo. We know we cannot turn the situation around overnight but we can begin the process by electing Green M.P.P.s to the Legislative Assembly. We believe in realism and idealism working together, and not in conflict. Your steady support over multiple elections will force the big Parties to clean up their acts....and our Province. Imagine their surprise and consternation when we elect our first Member of the Legislature or Parliament!
"For evil to prevail - all that is required is for good (people) to do nothing."