The Cost of Democracy

(I'm a few months late posting this one!)

It’s been almost a month since we watched the US presidential election with interest.  I thought Governor Romney would have made a fine president.  I believe he has unique business experience and education that could have helped America at this time.

But the majority chose to re-elect President Obama, who also has many great presidential qualities.  I hope his policies and promises will improve circumstances for our neighbours to the south (though I’ve been enjoying the exchange rate the past few years).

Our democratic system allows us to elect those who share our ideas on what government should be doing (or not doing) for the people.  We research, we campaign, we argue, we vote, we wait…  Then we mourn or rejoice.

What comes next is the part I don’t like:  the mud-slinging and criticism.  If they lost, why kick them while they’re down?  If they won, they are now elected officials deserving our support.

I’ve been disappointed at some of the phrases used to describe the election and Mitt Romney, like “crushing defeat” and “cloudy future”.  The swing state percentages were very close, and being only 3 million out of 120 million (roughly) away from winning the popular vote doesn’t sound like a “crushing defeat” to me.  And if someone of retirement age who is independently wealthy and surrounded by a large and loving family has a “cloudy future” then what does that say for the rest of us?

Governor Romney spent a lot of time, money, and energy to give Americans a choice on the ballot.  That alone is worthy of praise, not scorn.

Whether American or Canadian, we should thank all who run in municipal, provincial, and federal elections – including those who lose.  If we don’t, we may find the cost of democracy is that no decent candidates will want to run in the future.

Choose the Right

Remembrance Day approaches and once again we take time to show our appreciation for those who fought the evil regimes which threatened to destroy our freedom.  We won!  We’re free!  And we’re grateful.

At least we should be.  The freedom they purchased with their lives enables us to make choices.  Every day.  We’re free to vote, free to complain, free to go to school, free to choose our employment, free to attend church, free to write things that anger others.

As we’re reminded often, we all have the right to make our own choices.  But the bigger question is:  Are we making the right choices?  What are we doing with the freedom we’ve been given?

What constitutes a “right choice” will depend on the person making the choice and his or her circumstances, but we would do well to remember this time-honoured truth:  Every choice has a consequence.

Consequences can be good or bad, immediate or delayed, minor or catastrophic.  They can affect one person or millions.  They can be easily foreseen or a surprise.  But while we are free to make choices, we are not free to choose the consequences of those choices.  I can choose to stay up ‘til 1:00 a.m. reading, but I can’t escape the possible consequence of being tired the next morning.

Thus, instead of telling each other repeatedly that we have the “right to choose”, wouldn’t it be better to help each other “choose the right”?

How can we know what is a right choice?  We read.  We think.  We pray.  We discuss our options with those who care about us.  We make pros and cons lists.  We study history and the experiences of others.  Then we weigh the information carefully and follow our hearts and consciences.

And we remember that, like those who chose to fight for our freedom, the best choices aren’t always the easy ones.

Free To Choose Freedom

It’s getting colder but I don’t want to wear a hat; if I catch pneumonia I’ll just blame the government.  Or maybe I’ll call the town office and yell at someone.  I can do those things because I’m free.

Some would say that freedom is “doing whatever we want”.

Imagine if we had no traffic laws and everyone drove however they wanted.  Before long we would be confused, delayed, frustrated, or dead.  That doesn’t sound like freedom to me.

Some laws, regulations, guidelines, or commandments may initially appear to hamper our freedom but they actually safeguard our ability to make future choices.

This week we will remember those who defended the freedom we enjoy in this great land.  Those people fought on the ground, in the air, and on the seas.  Many died, and many returned home with memories they wished they could forget.  But they were successful in their quest; those who threatened our democracy were crushed and our freedom was preserved.

Why did they hunker in miserable foxholes, or shiver in frozen cockpits?  So I could watch horror movies, ogle pornography, drink myself into oblivion, or waste hours surfing the Net?

Yes.

But that’s probably not the best use of my freedom.  Neither is yelling at town workers or refusing to wear a hat.

Those we remember each November fought to keep us free.  How we use that freedom is now our responsibility.  Will we make choices that keep us – and those around us – as free, and safe, and happy as possible?

Observing a minute of silence this Friday will be easy.  Truly honouring our veterans and fallen heroes by making choices to better ourselves, uplift others, and strengthen our communities is the challenge.