Here's how a no vote in the transit referendum is misogynistic

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      With the end of the Lower Mainland's non-binding transit plebiscite in sight, both sides are making a final push for their case and tempers are rising.

      Yesterday, in response to a guest commentary about the need to vote yes in the referendum, one of our online commenters asked, “How about a piece on how a "no" vote is misogynist?”

      I know it was sarcasm but…challenge accepted!

      Do you know who takes transit? Women. A 2015 ridership profile created by Bing Thom planner Andy Yan and principal Michael Heeney found that women make up 60 percent of transit riders.

      Transit ridership also skews towards the low end of the economic spectrum. According to the ridership profile, “about 54% of transit reliant workers have total incomes of less than $30,000 a year.” Which group earns less? Women, particularly women of colour in the Lower Mainland.

      Data from March shows that transit ridership is highest among young people (18 to 29) and seniors (70+). The first Baby Boomers will be turning 70 next year, which means the demand on transit is only going to rise; some estimates believe seniors will make up 25 percent of Lower Mainland residents by 2040.

      Guess who lives longer and will be disproportionately affected by a reduction in transit services? Women!

      On behalf of all women, please vote yes for better transit.

      Voting ends on May 29 at 8 p.m.

      Comments

      9 Comments

      Devil's Avocado

      May 22, 2015 at 8:54am

      *slow clap*

      @ubcken

      May 22, 2015 at 9:01am

      With respect - the transit profile includes UPass holders - reflects UBC and Simon Fraser University profiles, as well as colleges. This is fact not hatred of women. You should not divide support for YES on transit plebiscite.

      Buttes

      May 22, 2015 at 9:11am

      Dear Miranda,

      Fuck you and your vote-shaming. You are a shill for the establishment.

      Sincerely,

      A "yes" voter who thinks this process sucks balls.

      Arachides

      May 22, 2015 at 10:04am

      " On behalf of all women? "
      Step aside Bella Abzug and Gloria Steinem, Miranda Nelson's on the watch.
      Can't wait for your acapella version of 'Joe Hill' to be released from your next Vision fundraiser at some beerhall.

      HM

      May 22, 2015 at 11:13am

      Comment asks for article supporting an argument, writer goes out to find data to support said argument. That's exactly how confirmation bias works. Bet you could do the same thing showing how a yes vote is misogynistic too, probably be something along the lines of increasing ridership leading to a greater number of sexual assaults and groping on sky train and bus.

      Wooderson420

      May 22, 2015 at 1:18pm

      Nelson's argument is fallacious as it's built on at least two types of fallacy.

      Propositional fallacy:
      affirming the consequent – the antecedent in an indicative conditional is claimed to be true because the consequent is true; if A, then B; B, therefore A.

      Red Herring Fallacy:
      Appeal to equality – where an assertion is deemed true or false based on an assumed pretense of equality.

      Miranda Nelson

      May 22, 2015 at 1:21pm

      Nelson's argument is actually a cheeky dig at a commenter who posted a sarcastic remark. But keep digging out your Logic 101 notes if you want to!