What value do you put on Democracy?

There was a survey that came out of the United States last year that jolted me a bit. It said that 35 percent of Americans would be willing to give up their right to vote for the rest of their lives, in exchange for an immediate, one time 10 percent pay raise. And nearly 10 percent of them would be willing to also take away their child or future child’s right to vote for life as well.  

This floored me that so many people take democracy and the right to vote so lightly, especially when you consider the sacrifices made to secure that right in the first place.  

Photo Credit: The Daily Beast

But then when I thought about it, I realized that maybe it isn’t that outrageous for the United States, given how much the politicians in charge have perverted the democracy part our of their democratic system. American voters, or would be voters know that it doesn’t matter who they vote in, the special interests with their lobby groups will carry the day. Exhibit 1 for this is that despite the vast majority of Americans favouring sensible gun laws, politicians always go with what the NRA wants instead because - money. Also, their system of gerrymandering the electoral districts means the outcome in many cases is pretty much a forgone conclusion, which means many votes really don’t count, so if you live in one of those districts, why not take the money? 

Could such apathy toward democracy happen here? It’s a timely question to ask as we head to the polls today to elect our 43rd federal government.  

I have no idea what the results would be if Canadians were asked if they’d give up their right to vote for a pay raise, but less than 7 out of every 10 eligible voters bothered to vote in our last federal election, and that was the highest in decades. Does that mean the 30 percent who couldn’t be bothered to vote would jump at giving up their voting rights for cash? Hey, free money! 

Photo Credit: Huffington Post

We have a better system here that avoids those pitfalls that have so damaged democracy with our southern neighbours. We have donation limits that don’t allow lobby groups too much clout, and we have independent, nonpartisan commissions defining our electoral boundaries, not self-serving party hacks.  

Unfortunately, we are still stuck with the first-past-the-post system, but with today’s outcome very likely to be a minority government, it won’t be as big an issue this time. In any case, our democracy is certainly healthier than the American version.  

I do see though, some of the worst examples of American-style politics creeping into our current election. Both the Liberals and Conservatives, to focus on the major parties, have been less than honest, Trudeau certainly has, but in the last week I sense more blatant lies, the kind that are simply made up, not just exaggerations, coming from the Scheer camp. This includes that Trudeau plans to legalize hard drugs and that he has a secret plan to place a tax on people’s homes.  There is no truth to either comment. This is right out of the Trump playbook, and I expect they are the result of Scheer hiring strategists from the Trump campaign to help him with his.  Beyond the fabrications about Trudeau's policies, there’s the allegation the Scheer team commissioned a communications strategy firm to orchestrate a mudslinging campaign against Max Bernier and his People’s Party.

Photo Credit: NBC News

Another example is even more troubling, and again, it’s from the Trump playbook. When Scheer continues to repeat, as he has for the past week, that according to recent convention, whichever party gets the most seats in a minority situation, gets to form the government, he has to know that’s not true. Last year’s provincial election in New Brunswick was an example of that, as was Christy Clark’s government out west. So why would Scheer go out of his way to repeat this falsehood?  

I expect it is because he knows he is not going to win a majority but it is quite possible he could win the most seats. So he’s planting the seed within his supporters that if this happens and Trudeau tries to form a government, that that is somehow not kosher. So why would he keep saying this? All it will do is cause confusion and bitterness and further divide us. How Trump like is that? But this said, it is easy to understand Scheer, just like Brian Gallant last year, would not find it easy to concede defeat if he’s sitting there with more seats than the other guy. And Westminster rules be damned, Scheer knows Canadians sense of fairness will lean toward the one with the most seats. So there’s that.

Photo Credit: Huffington Post

As elections go, this has been a terrible one. Serious policy discussions were as rare hen’s teeth. Instead we got a focus on how we should fear of the other guy, and the never-ending vitriol spilling all through social media. It strikes me there is more voter polarization in Canada than ever before, with the possible exception of the last Harper election, so maybe that is becoming a Canadian trend too, that we have picked up from the U.S. In many ways it really has become tribal. My guy can do no wrong and even if he does it is OK. Your guy is terrible with no redeeming qualities. That’s tribal and a quick scan of Facebook or Twitter shows it is alive and well in our election campaign.  

Sunrise at The Rocks, Hopewell Cape Photto Credit: alamy.com

It’s a special day in Canada and for Canadians. Vote as you see fit, but at the same time give a thought to how great it is to have that option. And realize that democracy is precious, and we need to be ever vigilant so it not be allowed to erode, as it has to the south of us.  

We could start by realizing that no matter who wins, even if he is not your choice, the sun is still going to come up tomorrow and the sky isn’t going to fall.  

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