It's our turn. We have the power. But have we the will the use it?

Reduced to its essentials, that is what a General Election is all about, the will of the people.

Policies, personalities, public opinion polls, pundits, prognosticators, all play their part. But in the end only we, the people, decide.

Whether we choose wisely or foolishly, that is up to each of us. We put our trust in the ballot box, and abide by the result.

If only it were so!

The result cannot, will not, be an expression of our collective will. And for one simple reason. Many of us lack the will to use the power now freely in our hands.

Almost 40 per cent of us did not vote in the General Election of 2000.

As explained in a previous article in the Canadian Vindicator ("Electoral System"), about one-third of the electorate in a constituency can override the other two-thirds when 40 per cent do not turn out to vote.

If 40 per cent do not vote in 2004, it is those 40 per cent who will decide the winners and the losers on election day, Monday June 28.

If for no other reason than preventing a party dedicated to the break-up of Canada from holding the balance of power in the next Parliament of Canada with a minority government in office, we should all participate in voting on election day.

As good citizens we owe it to ourselves, our families, and our country.

Be wise. Be foolish. But vote!

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