As I was thinking of how to react to Josh’s latest comment in a previous post, I stumbled upon this article by Luchie Cruz-Valdez. At first, I thought, “Aha! Here’s the answer to Josh’s comment!”

Well, my enthusiasm got doused by the clincher. Anyway, I quote the most relevant parts:

This is exactly how I feel about those who have decided that they’re not voting this coming election. They come up with all kinds of reasons – and many of them are not entirely invalid: Nothing’s going to change. It’s the same people. The quality of candidates is poor. The masses of poor voters are going to sell their votes and my wise votes won’t count. My candidate won’t win anyway. He’s going to steal us blind, too. They all do. Ad infinitum.

I won’t argue that they’re wrong because they’re not. But I will argue that not doing anything is not going to change anything either. As Edmund Burke succinctly puts it, “All it takes for evil to triumph… is for a few good men to do nothing.”

But there’s one more reason why it would be a sin to not vote on May 14. That’s technology. More than ever, the power to change things is now within the ordinary voter’s grasp. If before, voters could only cower in fear before the guns and the goons, this time, they can use technology to turn the tables around. The cellphone in your hand is a weapon far more powerful than anything the trapos may wield. Use it to expose the sham and to report fraud. This is what Boto Mo, iPatrol Mo is all about.

It’s just a long plug for Boto Mo, Ipatrol Mo.

Anyway, I know we have the right to vote, and coins having two sides, we have the right not to vote, too. However, my gut feeling is that not voting is fundamentally wrong. On some countries, people don’t have the right to select their leaders. On some countries, it took them wars, several hundreds of waiting and whining, some beheadings. When I think of these, I cringe (one downside for reading too much about history).

Also, on research, it seems that the Philippines is not alone regarding the turnout of voters. Heck, ours is higher. But the downward trend is almost global. What’s happening to human civilization?

Here’s one item that is fundamentally true, but does not apply in this country:

A strong and stable democracy also relies on people using their votes. By voting, you can hold your elected representatives accountable.

Here’s a weekend challenge to bloggers who get to read this: this weekend, post an entry answering either “Why am I going to vote?” or “Why I am not going to vote?” Then post a comment here with the URL for your post. Spread the word. I know it’s the weekend, so spend it in a different way – introspection. And get those logical brains cranking. Who knows, you may convince others to vote or not.

To end this post here’s some words from the other side of the world.

the most basic means by which you have a voice in how your government works. By voting, you participate in a process that determines who will represent you, your family, and your neighbors in your community, your state, and your country.
xxx
The most likely reason–they don’t think their one vote will make a difference. But what if just one person on every street or in every voting precinct thought that way? We might find that the course of history would change.

UPDATE:

Here are the bloggers who responded to the challenge:
* Chicken Mafia – Your vote doesn’t count
* Atheista – My 2004 Ballot and My 2007 Ballot
* Baratillo @ Cubao – I will vote
* ExpectoRants – Blame Abalos!