Vote!

[Knave]

This arrived in my inbox today. I'm not convinced of the origin so I'll not name it. The highlighted parts are the reason I post it here!

Hello fellow citizens

If like me, you don't have a passport from another country and you quite like living in South Africa, now is quite an important time for you.

Instead of using clichés like "the future is in your hands.." or "make your mark, let your voice be heard!" and other ineffective drivel, I am going to just draw your attention to the following:

Bob Mugabe had to amend the constitution of Zimbabwe to allow him to remain in power as president, long after he had reached his intellectual sell-by-date. (Before this, as in all "democracies", there was a limit to the number of terms which a president could serve). Having changed it once, he did it again. Then he was on a roll. The rest of the story we all know very well. With hindsight, we can see that had he been prevented from taking the first step, the whole sub-Saharan part of Africa would have been spared quite a lot of bother.

When Hitler took over Germany he systematically turned it into a fascist police-state, where no-one (no, not even German citizens) had any freedom. He did this by passing one piece of legislature after another. Slowly he started to ban things (like women shaving their legs and underarms). Next he formed a special police force which was under his personal control (the infamous Gestapo) to enforce these new laws. Then he banned some more things, like jokes, clever books and talking about him behind his back. By the time he had mobilised his army, and banned being Jewish or trying to stop him from invading your country it was TOO LATE! He had gained too much momentum.
"How did he and Bob manage this?" you may ask.
I'll tell you how: Baby steps.
Each time they changed something, they convinced all the stupid people that it was for the greater good. Clever people, who could tell that it wasn't, thought to themselves "Surely they won't get away with this" over tea and rusks, but did nothing. By the time someone decided to stand up and make a scene, his house had been burned down and his head was firmly wedged between an S.S. boot and the pavement outside.

Now, I'm sure we all agree that one "Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma" possesses neither the intellect, balls or charisma to start a world war. However, he has somehow managed to wangle his way into a position where he can very well take the first baby step towards making a complete pig's ear of our country. Old-school racist whites are always on about our country going to the dogs and ending up like Zim.. Of course they did this because they were narrow-minded and ignorant, not because they were keeping a keen eye on actual political developments. Our downfall will not be racism as everyone predicted in 1994, it will be corrupt politicians driven by greed and a hunger for power. And people drinking tea saying "surely they won't get away with that?".

Now,

JZ's trial has been scheduled for August (which is AFTER the election). After winning the election, the ANC plans on amending the constitution to prohibit the acting president from being prosecuted in a court of law. Just like with Bob Mugabe, the most fundamental law of the country will now be changed to suit the whims of a criminal with no brain. (Never mind the fact that this would actually mean that he could literally commit murder and get away with it until he steps down as president). Our constitution is literally the anchor which stops our country from drifting down river and over the edge of a waterfall. It leaves ultimate power in the hands of the courts and judges and prevents government from raising itself above the law. To allow anyone to mess with it is equivalent to committing a slow national suicide.
The ANC no doubt thinks they will again get the two thirds majority they need to tinker with the constitution in the April election.

I beg to differ.

I hope and believe that, unlike the sheep of the past in Germany and Zimbabwe , the average person who receives this mail has actually had enough of all these shena****ns and would like to see the appearance of justice, logic and efficiency in government.
Unfortunately, we are in the minority. However, to prevent things from getting worse really fast, all we have to do (for now) is:

VOTE !!!!!!!!

And then, when the election comes, vote for anyone except the ANC. You can vote for Vernon Koekemoer or Skippy Peanut Butter for all I care, just as long as no one gets a two-thirds majority!

I swear on my grandma's grave... if I hear someone (who didn't vote or couldn't vote because they were too lazy or hungover to register) complaining at a braai about the government I will come in from the side with a flying head-butt which will leave you so brain-damaged you'll join the ANC youth league and vote for Julius Malema in 2013.
This country is genuinely amazing, lets not let a small handful of people use it as their personal monopoly set and turn it into another post-Collonial African 3rd World sad story.

Vote, dammit! People are willing to die fighting for the right to vote. If you don't, and you end up watching as the country slowly slides into an abyss it will be "on you".

Ok, enough.

Those of you who say you won't vote, you have been warned!

 

[marine1]

I have said it 10000 times, it should be a criminal offence not to vote.

 

[Praeses]

I have said it 10000 times, it should be a criminal offence not to vote.

I really wish it was

 

[Kimosabe]

Not all should be allowed to vote... Have you seen the common voter? THey will believe any old ghump you throw at them

 

[ld13]

Would be utterly stupid to make it a criminal offense. You have the right to vote - it is your choice to enact that right or not. If one decides to amend it to "You have the obligation to vote" you are going to sit with a few fundamental problems. Would be quite an impractical "law". Take Aunt Lucy eg. that is too old to travel 50KM to the voting station and don't wanna vote. Uncle James' car broke down and could not get to a voting station. I could go on and on... but I see your point.

I just wish I could somehow convince these 'people' that don't vote just cause,... to vote.

 

[NameOfBeast]

Would be utterly stupid to make it a criminal offense. You have the right to vote - it is your choice to enact that right or not. If one decides to amend it to "You have the obligation to vote" you are going to sit with a few fundamental problems. Would be quite an impractical "law". Take Aunt Lucy eg. that is too old to travel 50KM to the voting station and don't wanna vote. Uncle James' car broke down and could not get to a voting station. I could go on and on... but I see your point.

I just wish I could somehow convince these 'people' that don't vote just cause,... to vote.

Voting is compulsory in Australia. I think it a great idea.

 

[Albereth]

People who say that if you don't vote you lose the right to complain about the government. This is just not true. You should always be allowed to complain about it.

What I don't like is the person who argues that they don't vote because their vote doesn't count. Every vote counts, it might not make a difference in the marginal seat but it most certainly shows in the overall percentage. Frankly, those people should say that they don't vote because they just don't care enough. Be honest about it.

But, here is the warning to the blindside tackler, try it and you will be in a world of hurt. I will not be threatened into or out of voting by anyone. No matter how noble you believe your intentions to be, and no matter how non-partisan you believe your message to be.

 

[Albereth]

Voting is compulsory in Australia. I think it a great idea.

Having the countryside spontaneously combust is also compulsory in Australia. It doesn't mean that you want it here too.

 

[ld13]

Voting is compulsory in Australia. I think it a great idea.

Voting ain't compulsory - you can go vote, or just turn up at the voting station and walk out without voting... or pre-vote...or vote via mail or or or.

But I don't feel forcing someone to vote is a good idea. Afaik the last time only about ~60% of SA voted. If you force that other 40% to go vote you'll sit with a bulk of votes going heck-knows-where.

Lots of pros and cons to think about.

Edit: At least it should make getting that 2/3rd majority a bit more difficult for any party...

 

[medicnick83]

I'm voting for the ANC... for them to be kicked outta SA!

 

[marine1]

I'm voting for the ANC... for them to be kicked outta SA!

Agreed.

 

[The_Right_Honourable_Brit]

I have said it 10000 times, it should be a criminal offence not to vote.

There is no party in SA that represents my interests so why should I vote?

 

[EtienneK]

There is no party in SA that represents my interests so why should I vote?

Because not voting is an auto vote for the ANC.

 

[Lycanthrope]

Because not voting is an auto vote for the ANC.

+1

I think anyone with an IQ over 3 is capable of seeing that the ANC is no longer (if they ever HAVE been) good for this country.

I agree with the following:

You can vote for Vernon Koekemoer or Skippy Peanut Butter for all I care, just as long as no one gets a two-thirds majority!

 

[shadowfox]

People who say that if you don't vote you lose the right to complain about the government. This is just not true. You should always be allowed to complain about it.

Agreed - since whether I voted or not, a part of my salary every month goes towards paying their salaries. Every time I buy something or fill up my car I support this country - so even if I couldn't be arsed to vote, I believe I have every right to point a finger if the government cocks up.

That aside, given the current state of things, I think every vote counts, this time more than ever. I'm not much of a keen voter myself ... but I'll definitely be making a turn at the booths this year.

 

[Albereth]

There is no party in SA that represents my interests so why should I vote?

What are your interests?

And besides that, should one not consider voting in the best interests of others. Sure, you may have as an interest the right to do drugs and molest puppies and there is no party that represents those interests. But maybe, just maybe, you'd consider voting for a party that believes in providing health care just because your neighbour is ill.

I don't know - you can be selfish. Or you can think of others. That's your call.

 

[sox63]

There is no party in SA that represents my interests so why should I vote?

Well, depending on what your interests are, I find that hard to believe. We have SO MANY choices. Perhaps you have not taken any time to investigate the parties and I'm sure you will find one.

 

[NameOfBeast]

Having the countryside spontaneously combust is also compulsory in Australia. It doesn't mean that you want it here too.

Worst false analogy EVER .

 

[The_Right_Honourable_Brit]

What are your interests?

And besides that, should one onot consider voting in the best interests of others. Sure, you may have as an interest the right to do drugs and molest puppies and there is no party that represents those interests. But maybe, just maybe, you'd consider voting for a party that believes in providing health care just because your neighbour is ill.

I don't know - you can be selfish. Or you can think of others. That's your call.

I don't think there really is a Republican (US)/Conservative (UK) party in South Africa. The DA is a liberal party, and I don't support their stance on the death penalty. They also support AA & BEE in principle, although obviously they disagree with the implementation of it. The FF+ is too right-wing for my tastes...there doesn't really seem to be a middle ground.

 

[Albereth]

Worst false analogy EVER .

But it was funny!

(And that humour shouldn't detract from the tragedy surrounding fires)