Shocking turnout

Dear sir:
I was shocked at the local poll (#168) when the votes were counted last Thursday. Out of 344 eligible voters, only 143 took the trouble to vote.
When I first came here, the same poll had a 90 percent turnout. I wonder what has happened during the last 50 years?
Do parents and teachers no longer impress upon our children that it is not only our privilege but our duty to vote. In Australia, it is now mandatory.
If something is not done, we will end up having communism or fascism, and our grandchildren will suffer.
Yours truly,
Ron Helliar
Fort Frances, Ont.