What you are about to read is the essay I sent to the United Steelworkers of America Union in hopes of winning a scholarship. Any and all advice, comments or critique is muchly appreciated!!!!
The Best Dang Political System in the World – So Why Aren’t We Voting?
History has shown that all political systems are ‘hit and miss’. As Canadians, we view democracy as being the only systematic way to avoid the misses and triumph in the hits. This may be due to the structure of democracy, which gives us comfort in the system because we construct our own destiny. Since we all take responsibility for our country – as opposed to a militant leader – every Canadian is entitled to the feelings of safety, freedom and pride. We cherish our modernized political system so much that we have implemented it into the workplace as unions. Just as the voter-elected government fights for our rights within a country, so does the member-elected union leadership within a local. Although our love of the power of voting blazes brightly, practice stimulates errors that never could have been anticipated such as apathy, corruption and the elitism derived from class division. While these problems cause rifts in our government, smaller democratic assemblies – such as unions – can help show us the error of our ways and even how to fix them!
Whereas our forefathers fought for Canada, democracy, and freedom, the current general public has done nothing of the sort. Apathy – a feeling of sheer disinterest – has entered into the minds of many Canadians, just as silt enters and slows a flowing stream. It appears as though there are two types of citizens: those who vote determined to take advantage of their Canadian rights; and those who ignore their rights, only learning voting results after the fact. This lack of voting derived from a lack of passion generally stems from a lack of education. Sure, students learn of our sovereignty; our heritage, but as even most adults find, it is nearly impossible to sprout passion from paper. The responsibility to invoke democratic passion lies within the adults surrounding the new generation of voters. Some schools take action in the form of student government; some politically involved parents breed voting responsibility within their children; but others learn political duty through unions. Unions are smaller-scale governments within a workplace; the workers involved have no room for apathy. When union members participate in a vote, it is in accordance with protecting their immediate way of life. Not only does this prompt members to vote, it prompts them to stay involved in work related politics. Once a person opens his eyes to one aspect of his life, he is more likely to pay attention – and question – other aspects of his life. Having seen at work that one vote does make a difference, a person can feel more confident that the same is true within our democratic governments. If more people were to feel that small-scale justice, apathy towards voting could become a thing of the past.
While some can’t be bothered to participate in democracy, others shy away after word of scandalous corruption. Even though 2008 is barely half over, the public has heard of misplaced campaign funds as well as misplaced foreign documents. After being informed of such things, it is within reason for citizens to doubt the people responsible for handling our tax dollars and national security. While ‘people are only human’, it is hoped that those ruling over our country are of a more dignified, honest breed. It is these purely human qualities that lead some to insecurity and anger. This anger has been shown in the form of the recent pie-in-the-face incidents and through emigration to smaller countries with (seemingly) less corruption. Unfortunately, because ‘to be human is to err’, scandal and corruption will probably never be abolished. We can only hope that politicians are frightened onto the straightened path by the people who are supposed to keep them in check: us. While unions are a little bit more difficult to corrupt, it can still happen. Every now-and-again there is talk of a ‘misplaced’ grievance or a head-strong union leader. Luckily, in this type of setting, instances such as these are usually remedied fairly, quickly and quietly.
Another voting deterrent is elitism. While democracy allows everyone to be ‘free’, each person decides his own level of comfort from within his bank account. This leads to extreme class division; some people are very rich, some people are very poor. Politicians are usually of the wealthier class, but try to appeal to the average middle class. It is due to the usual stature of a politician which leads lower classmen to believe their political attempts to be futile. Since the ‘Average Joe’ views a mayor, premier or prime minister as being better than himself, it makes it easier for the politician to participate in nepotism, embezzlement and other scandalous activities. The fact that these activities take place gives the general public the impression that the politician feels as though he is above them, as well as the law. This anger or feeling of lesser worth can invoke some into politics, but that feeling can quickly turn sour after being shunned or patronized by party members. Ironically, lower middle class driven parties have the opportunity to change all of this, if only the wealthier class would give them the votes – not very likely. In a way, the same issues take place within a union; only the class system is based upon position, friendship and seniority as opposed to cash flow. On the same token, the scandals are of a different nature; bullying against grievances or ‘persuasion’ of votes. Luckily, union members can feel comforted due to the fact that their ‘Union Rep’ has an obligation to report and answer to the union organization itself. This prevents most minor scandals from taking place or making any headway. In these ways, unions help to break the feeling of futility among those looking for change.
Even though as a system democracy has its kinks, it is the only system that gives citizens the right to choose their own involvement, which is why we love it. It is also the only system by which citizens can invoke change – whether they realize it or not. If unions were more prevalent or publicized, people could realize their own power to release the kinks and allow the stream of democracy to flow freely once more.
