Election Day
Over in the US today it’s Thanksgiving; here in NZ it’s election day—not quite the same thing those who spend time parliament and politician watching might say …
But I’m not one of them.
As a student of history, I think having an election day and being able to go out and vote is a privilege. Thinking about the issues and what you want for your country and community beforehand is a responsibility and a duty—one we’re fortunate to have.
A lot of people have suffered and fought hard, and in many cases died, over many centuries so that I can inherit both the duty and the privilege of voting to decide who will govern this country for the next three years.
As a woman I feel this duty and privilege even more keenly, since it is only 118 years since the right of women to vote on equal terms with men became law.
So yes, that is something I feel like giving thanks for—and so I am going to be going out there and voting today. I hope all New Zealanders reading this blog will be either about to do or have done the same—especially as today’s vote includes a referendum on the electoral system as well.
As for the various arguments along the lines of “all politicians are unworthy/venal and so I’m somehow going to protest that by not voting”, I’ve got two things to say:
- firstly, I’ve had dealings with a fair number of NZ politicians in my ‘various lives’ and believe that most of them are, by and large, in politics because they want to serve their country and communities. Sure they’re human and sure that means they’re not going to get it right all the time, but they are not bad people—and in the cases where they are, or may become so, it’s hard to see how not voting is actually helping that situation in any way;
- secondly, if we don’t like the way the country’s being run and things are being done—we do have the opportunity and yes (that word again!) privilege to do something about it by getting involved. So not voting is just an abrogation of responsibility.
So hey Kiwi, don’t be a flightless wonder, be a citizen: have a think about what matters to you for the future, and what you want for your country, and get out there and vote today for the party and electoral system that you think is most likely to deliver that result for you.
Hey Helen,
I agree with your reasoning (particularly with regards to being a woman with the vote.) For that and many other reasons I’ll be trotting off to the polls this arvo – and I’m only a resident, not a citizen.
I do wish, however, that there were some basic points all parties agreed in common – like a certain level of funding for schools, and environmental policies of one type or other. It seems silly to argue over the fundamentals…
Don’t worry, I won’t be chaining myself to the railings over that. 🙂
Hi Mary, For sure, there are very many things I would like to see improved in our political system—but I definitely see voting as a first step in the process toward achieving that.
Although I guess as we see with climate change not everyone actually agrees on what the fundamentals are—or are not willing to agree … Which is why voting doesn’t preclude the need for further involvement between elections, as well, if one is serious about being a citizen, and also a resident as you so rightly point out.
I think maybe Winston Churchill was right when he said that democracy was the second worst system of governance: the worst comprised all the other ones!
And I would defend to the utmost your right to chain yourself to railings in the defence of truth, justice, and the Kiwi way of life.:)
By the way, I loved the TV3 clip you featured on your blog of Frank and Sir Richard Taylor unveiling the lion art at Wellington Children’s Hospital: you must feel very proud.
I do feel proud, Helen… I thought it was lovely of Richard to mention Frank in the interview, too. 🙂
Mum always said ‘if you don’t vote,you can’t complain’.
Like Mary says, it would be good if all parties could sit down and hammer out an agreement on basic things, like healthy food.
Then we could vote on the major things.
Agreeing on the basic things is another matter… Sigh.
At least we get a chance to voice our opinions without fear though.
Jan, I think your mother is quite right! And you are quite right in saying that we can voice our opinions and go to a polling booth without fear, something else I feel we too often ‘take for granted.’