This is my personal PSA for anyone who hasn’t figured it out yet—yelling at your TV doesn’t count as meaningful political participation. With the next Canadian and Ontario elections around the corner, save the energy for casting your vote!
Some of this is admittedly selfish—I’ve officially run out of patience for clueless loudmouths who think “engaging in politics” is repeating the same tired, nasty partisan zingers while knowing absolutely nothing about the issues. Bravo, what a contribution.
I’m drowning in the flood of political rhetoric. It’s everywhere—Facebook, Twitter, even those family dinners where everyone is an expert but no one participates. We all lose as a result, so we need to get involved.
Why bother?
The short answer is that too many politicians have become predators; if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.
Participating in politics gives you a voice. Whether voting, volunteering, or attending town halls, you’re forcing yourself to become aware of the issues and stepping into the decision-making process. Voting is the easiest way to make your mark, but it doesn’t stop there.
Politics isn’t a one-and-done event; it’s an ongoing conversation that you must pay attention to. Staying informed, attending debates, and advocating for meaningful policies ensures your voice remains part of the mix. Politicians require constant feedback to keep them on track.
And while it might sound cheesy, you’re actively building a better future (or preventing a worse one) by getting involved. Whether it’s shaping policies on healthcare, education, or housing, your contribution can lead to tangible change. Sitting on the sidelines for too long will a) give you hemorrhoids and b) guarantee that someone else will make the decisions for you. Do you trust them?
When you don’t engage in politics, you lose much more than you realize. For starters, if you like to complain, your ability to do so with any credibility takes a hit. If you’re not voting or participating, your rants about taxes, housing, or even the potholes on your street don’t carry much weight. Why would anyone listen to your empty complaints? I wouldn’t.
Staying out of it also means forfeiting the chance for representation that truly reflects you. Low voter turnout tends to amplify the extremes, leaving moderate voices in the cold. If you just want REAL common-sense policies, like functional healthcare or affordable groceries, your silence allows louder, less representative and sometimes corrupt voices to shape the outcome.
Then there’s the tax issue. I don’t love paying taxes, but you know what I hate even more? Watching my tax dollars vanish into a black hole of inefficiency and bad decisions where I don’t get the services I want or need. If I don’t vote, I’m basically handing over my wallet with a cheerful invitation to the government: “Do whatever you want!” And believe me, they will.
How To Get Involved – Let me count the ways…
- Vote: The bare minimum. Seriously, it takes less time than scrolling through Instagram.
- Volunteer for a Campaign or in a Riding Association: Meet like-minded people, learn the ropes, and maybe score free pizza.
- Join a Political Party: It’s not just for hardcore political junkies. Parties need all kinds of members to shape their platforms.
- Sign and Share Petitions: Quick and effective action that you can do it in your pyjamas.
- Engage in Civil Conversations: Talk to friends, family, and coworkers about the issues that matter. You might just change someone’s mind—or sharpen your own argument 🙂
- Write letters to the editor: Express yourself, and while you’re at it, educate others.
These days, the stakes are high. Public disillusionment is already a problem in Canada, and when good people disengage, the void is filled by those who push misinformation and division.
Politics is the foundation of everything that impacts your life, from healthcare to climate policy. If you don’t participate, you’re not just a bystander—you’re part of the problem. Real democracy isn’t a spectator sport, it’s a shared responsibility that every one of us must take part in to keep it alive and meaningful.