I kept on thinking that all the political signs up were just annoying. Now I understand really why people put them up. I understood that it was to show everyone how they were voting. Do I care who you vote for? I didn't.
People get elected by winning a majority in their district. No surprises there. So every vote not for the person that wins is essentially wasted. So if you were in a area where all the signs were Liberal and you were going to vote Conservative, you know your vote will be wasted (more or less). So you might as well talk to the Liberal rep. and make sure that your views are represented.
I don't remember what it's called, but it's a group behaviour where you go along with the majority (even if you think that it's wrong). So that's what the signs are for: to make people vote the same way, not to tell everyone who you are voting for.
I think that my breakthrough is too subtle to describe it well here. It's just one of those "see the light" kind of moments that I thought that I would share.
I am totally the opposite way. I vote against the majority so we have a more balanced government.
ReplyDeleteI'm actually surprised at how few signs there are around here (downtown & Lees area). I take the bus through Gatineau every day and there's a sign on EVERY SINGLE LAMPPOST (and no, I'm not exaggerating, well for the main streets anyways).
ReplyDeleteAleks: when you vote, you're voting for one seat in the government. The number of seats held by the parties determines who has power. The only way to have a balanced government then is to have a balanced number of seats.
ReplyDeleteWhen you vote against the majority in your riding you are actually voting for that minority party to take the seat. If there are an overwhelming majority of people voting Liberal in your riding, for example, voting Conservative won't balanace anything. The Liberal will still take the seat and whether Conservatives win other seats is independent of your riding, and your vote.