Marty, I just read your article in REM. I disagree with having people vote who, in your words, are idiots for not voting. I for one don’t want people like that deciding the outcome of an election. Voting is far too important to leave it up to people who just go to the polls because it is their responsibility, unless they have a clear understanding of the issues and why they want to vote in the first place.
I believe that they should make it harder and not easier for people to vote, and voters should have to complete a basic questionnaire in order to qualify to vote, to prove that they understand the issues. I was disgusted on election night by the comments of some of the people justifying why they wouldn’t vote, or the one lady who said she had no idea who to vote for, but would close her eyes and mark an X beside one of the names. This is not what democracy is about.
I don’t believe that voting is a right; I believe it is a privilege. If we treat voting as a privilege, maybe more people would actually get out and vote. My dad was one of the people who fought for the freedoms that we now enjoy and would be disgusted with the apathy of Canadians.

Rick Bell, Broker
Bell International Realty
Edmonton