Remedial Civics

In the recent US midterm elections, only 37 percent of eligible voters chose to exercise their franchise. Lot of flabby franchises down there.

And the Canadian record, at least in municipal elections, is worse. It has been estimated that the November 15 elections for mayors, councillors, trustees, et al. will bring a mere 30 percent of voters to the polls.

It's hard to think of any other situation involving a choice among ten people that would have seven shrugging their shoulders and saying, "Who cares?" Imagine there are ten people at lunchtime wondering whether to order pizza or Chinese takeout. Would seven say, "Whatever," and consume anything the other three ordered?

Or think of ten people trying to decide what to do for the evening's entertainment, the new Angelina Jolie movie or bowling. Or ten people sitting around a television set, asking should they watch Nova or Two-and-a-Half Men. Are seven going to express a lack of interest?

Some commentators have suggested voting should be mandatory, as it is in Australia. Or maybe 70 percent of the electorate needs a course in remedial civics.