Memorial Day and Why I Vote

Being in the US during this mid-term election has made me think more and more about the state of politics (generally) in the West. I’ve little insight into the goings on in the East right now. What strikes me most is how collectively, and selectively, forgetful the large majority of populations are. I attended an early Memorial/Remembrance Day ceremony on Sunday and watched as wreath after commemorative wreath was laid at the foot of a memorial to all those Canadians who have served in our armed forces who have died in battle. And I thought to myself: What ideals were they fighting for, and what were they fighting against? Were they successful? Or is what we are seeing in the theater of Western politics an indication that their efforts were for nought?

Personal political commentary rarely crosses my social media dash as I think most people have said enough that I don’t need to repeat it. But with the current political climate at home in Canada, and south of our borders, I’m struggling with the thought that we might be passing out of a golden age, or renaissance, of social progress. The battles that were fought to push back communism, fascism, and oppressive regimes seem to be having their victories eroded under the onslaught of internal corruption and extremism. The efforts of the hundreds and thousands of people that died in war are now wasted as the ideologies that they so fervently fought for and against are, alternately, on the decline and on the rise again.

When I vote, every time I vote, I think about the candidates and platforms in the following way: If in power will they improve the lives of the majority of the population (even incrementally), or will they restrict and depreciate their lives? And when I say “the majority of the population” I mean that in the broadest of terms, exclusive of ethnic, socio-economic, demographic, and other markers of individuality. I believe in incremental change, change that builds upon foundations that are set in the ability of our governments and judiciaries to respond to the changing needs of our society. I believe in change that moves all of us forward, even one step at a time.

I’m not naive enough to believe that there are no outside forces, special interest groups, cartels, and backroom dealings trying, hoping, and succeeding to influence the governing framework that has made our countries “great”. And I certainly think that the current social engineering taking place to dilute both our ability to participate in democracy and our ability to critically think and understand the broader issues facing our society is having a significant negative impact. For many, these concepts are too big, too abstract, and require a level of sophistication that a large portion of the population does not have (yes I am saying that there are people who are more rigorously intellectually trained than others, but no — I am not placing a value judgment on those who are not).

I believe in elections, in participation in an imperfect system, in setting an example that participation in democracy is a right that must be exercised. I believe that individual voices matter, that individual votes matter, that local action matters. In every single action that we undertake, we have an opportunity to play a part in moving our society forward toward a better place. It is through action that we expand rights, lift people from poverty, create opportunity, provide access to education and to justice, validate the sacrifices of those who have fought for our system of government, and build a better future for those generations that come after us.

We are at a nexus in our civilizations timeline where inaction is not an option. Words alone are not an option. Vote, participate in your community and lead through deeds. Give up the illusions of a “perfect” system, party, candidate, or great ideological leap forward. There is no perfection in such things, and those who offer you such are liars. We have been socialized to make everything about the individual, but we are and have always been collective social creatures. Move yourself, your neighbours, and your community one step forward at a time. Lead by example. Vote.

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