Did you vote yesterday? The rate of participation was the lowest ever. I’m so sorry to hear this. I read newsparer this morning and many people who didn’t vote yesterday said they don’t have any idea about candidates. However, if we are interested in it or if we concern our country, we can see there are lots and lots of publish materials around you.
Here is what I want you to think. For few weeks we could see and hear loud, sometimes noisy street election campaigns eventhough we did not really want to see and hear. I don’t think it’s effective way. It bothered me and was annoying. Even today, this morning , elected people are still saying something to appreciate. Plus, people who failed keep saying something too because they want to thank to their supporters. However, I am living in apartment complex so I can’t hear what they are saying. What I could recognized was aecho, murmuring. Do you think it’s good idea to let people know them??
I’m kind of sad about the situations that people are no longer passionate on politics. Of course, I don’t like campaigns just like you but if we don’t care what’s going on in our society and govenment, we don’t have rights to complains against bad politicians. Therefore, I think campaign must go on and we should take extra care about it.
Were there public debates for the candidates? Like, on TV, or online? Because I, too, am not surprised at low voter turnout. I had no idea about any of the candidates either… I don’t think that noise-polluting trucks or people in costumes standing and gesturing in front of the subway station is really, well… it’s not like you learn anything about a candidate’s values, or opinions, or tendencies from this. I felt like it was more, “Vote for our guy, we’re wearing blue!” or “Vote for our guy, we’re all in green!” I’m sure there was a little more information available for people who understand Korean better than I do, but the trucks that blast music seem not to promote any information about the candidates.
(And maybe I hate those trucks because it’s noise pollution. In Canada, I would be calling the cops to come and ticket the truck drivers for disturbing the peace, which is illegal. If someone uses a loud truck to advertise, you can call the police and [eventually] they will come and give an expensive ticket to the driver, and tow the vehicle if he doesn’t stop disturbing the peace. (Even arrest him, I think, if he doesn’t leave.) I heard it’s illegal to blast music or advertisements loudly in Korea, too, but the law just isn’t enforced… is that true?)
But I agree with Eun Suk: politicians don’t need to try very hard to present their opinions if nobody demands it. I’m not sure I agree that people get the governments they deserve — nobody deserves the Myanmar government, for example — but I do think that if you don’t intellectually become a citizen in a democracy, the democracy can disappear, sooner than you might think. Being a citizen is more than voting, though: it’s about what you demand from leaders, what you demand from government, and what you’re not willing to accept from both.
that is never good idea. never never!!
when election time every day, every morning , election campaign cars
bothered my sleeping!!!!! sometimes night, too.
why candidates use this way? everyone dislike that kinds of noise.