To the editor:
Due to the eagerness of so many to blindly relinquish their voting rights to others, the outcome of the civic election should be characterized as unsurprising and stagnant.
It is disheartening to be a part of a community run upon name recognition and large endorsements. Our system is not fair, and highly misunderstood.
Unfortunately, this system is a reflection of the general public’s inability to take initiative to understand the democratic process.
Politics are about you. The political system was created to give people a voice on how to define their existence, and how to live a good life. Civic elections, grassroots politics and local levels of communication are the most powerful opportunity for individuals to exercise their rights and yet, people continue to vote for the mere sake of voting.
As democracy gradually disintegrates, people continue to refuse to learn about democracy’s purpose and potential.
I urge you to ask yourself the following questions:
Why did you vote for who you did?
Where did you hear about the candidate(s) you supported?
Can you list several of the candidate(s) qualifications?
How will each candidate impact your life and your community?
The majority of the candidates in council are passionate, diligent, caring individuals that should not be discredited. This letter isn’t meant to be condescending to any of the candidates but rather, to challenge the community to reflect on the outcome of the elections.
Electoral power resides in the hands of the few and an embarrassingly small group of people seem to acknowledge this truth.
Essentially, the results of the civic elections have exposed the preponderant tendency for individuals to trust businesses and material growth above human virtue. After the results came in Saturday evening I found myself nostalgic for a time when people mattered.
Jody Monk, Kelowna
