Elections

There is so much talk everywhere about the right of people to choose their own government, the need for democracy, and how wonderful it is to be "free". Then comes the true test. Elections. And, more often than not, the truth comes out.

Those in the "free" world do not care, or respect their right. They are more interested in their own daily grinds, their interests and personal problems, and not whether the government is controlled by one party or another. There are a couple of possible explanations of this. One is ambivalence towards who rules, because as long as things are stable, people don't care. Stable economies, stable political systems, both tend to enhance this attitude. But the reason that drove such low frequency in Poland is different.

There, the reality is that people are sick of the same old thing, and over the last decade have lost all hope that the government can make a difference. Every year a series of scandals comes out, regardless of which party is in power, and nothing gets done, nothing seems to improve overall. Yes, there is progress, but as with all emerging economies, the progress affects first those at the very top, and only slowly trickles down, especially in the eyes of those who have nothing. People expect improvements overnight, and are highly disappointed when those do not materialize. Opportunists capitalize on a weak system as well, making things worse.

Poland just had parliamentary elections on Sunday. There was a 39% turnout. Horrible. Just over one third of the country decided it was worth it to go to the ballot box. The rest made a very loud and clear statement. They're sick of the bull, sick of having to deal with a bunch of stuffed shirts making money for themselves, while helplessly poking at the state of the country, with a complete lack of knowledge of how to deal with things. And this after fifteen years since true independence.

I voted. Not with confidence that I will make a difference, but with the feeling of responsibility to my country, and to myself. If the results of the election are not to my liking, at least I can say I tried. If I didn't vote, I would have wondered, how much would be different if those like me had voted... Instead I wonder, how many more years until we have a skilled and experienced government?