Did Democracy Just Break Your Heart?

If democracy just broke your heart, this post is for you.

Sometimes democracy can do that to a person. And when it happens, it feels like you've just been betrayed by a lover.

You trusted democracy to safeguard something sacred, only to discover too late that the sweet-nothings that were being whispered between democracy and other voters were nothing like the sweet-nothings that were being shared between the two of you.

So what do you do the day after your heart has been broken?

Allow yourself to grieve. Your dream of a better Canada has been ripped away. You invested in that dream with every action you took during and leading up to Election Day.

Don't indulge in "if onlys." We can't turn back the clock. We can only move forward.  Honour the passion for democracy that erupted in you by vowing to continue to work for a Canada that reflects the hopes and dreams of the true majority of Canadians.

Understand you're not alone. Because of the way our voting system works, there are more people feeling sad than celebratory today: 60 percent versus 40 percent, in fact. If misery loves company, there's no better way to find company than by voting in a first-past-the-post election.

Find strength in your community -- the community of Canadians who are not satisfied with the outcome of last night's election and who will not be satisfied until Canada finds its way back to its more progressive, socially conscious, democratic roots. We have four years to map out that journey. For today, just commit to supporting your fellow travellers.

Comments

[wayne]

Ann: excellent all I can say ! Lets march on with our heads held high.

[Mark From Slap]

Fantastic post, Ann. Thanks for the pick-me-up. :)

[Lorne]

Thanks for your post. However, it isn't democracy that broke my heart, it is the 40% of my fellow citizens that couldn't be bothered to vote. It will be a long time before I can either forgive or forget that.

[Bruce Wilson]

Thanks for posting that link to Fair Vote Canada, Ann. Nearly 40% of Canadians did not vote because of a sense of futility: "What's the use? My candidate has no chance of getting elected, so why bother?" With a fair voting system, each vote counts. I advise everyone reading this to become a member of Fair Vote Canada. I have. And until we have a more democratic voting system, continue to badger your MPs if they aren't representing your wishes.

[Jane]

Ah, Ann. We can count on you to work like h*ll, then make us all feel better about the horrid outcome. You're a treasure!