Would your vote make a difference?
published: Friday | November 5, 2004

THE EDITOR, Sir:

THIS IS in response to Mr. Dennis Francis' letter published in the Gleaner on November 4, 2004 explaining why he did not vote in this election. Each of us has a right to cast our vote for the candidate of our choice. None of the candidates addressed all of my concerns regarding the future direction of the country, but this is what democracy is all about...making choices regarding the future direction of the country and participating even when it does not answer all of your concerns with the hope that somehow, somewhere, your vote will make a difference.

By not voting, you are allowing one or the other to make decisions that will affect your future without your input. Now that Mr. Francis and many others like him have sat out this election, whatever decisions the current President and his party makes he will have to accept. All those who did not vote in the Midwest and South of the country should now ask themselves, would it have made a difference?

I do take the position that those who do not vote should shut up and stop talking. If you have not voted, then you have no right to either
criticise or praise the current government policies.

I am, etc.,

PETER WALKER

newpw@aol.com

Jamaica, New York

Via Go-Jamaica