Where are we headed? Where did democracy go, or did it never really exist? I used to think in terms of my country, Mexico; however wandering the web, I have been awakened to global democratic apathy and ignorance. I suddenly feel better that I’m not the only one being jacked by my own blind ignorance and injustice.

It’s taken me a long time to realize the truth. Although I love looking in the mirror for vanity, I’ve never enjoyed searching for my own faults. My country, in case you don’t know it, is going to hell in a hand basket. Now don’t get me wrong, almost eighty years of government corruption and socioeconomic internal borders manned by the population’s ignorant, inactive majority isn’t all my fault, but, I’ve got to admit, I was a strong supporter.

Democracy is a device which ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve.

I don’t like the way my country is run; corruption, abuse, kidnappings, torture, decapitation, education deficiency, unemployment, and poverty have never been at the top of my wish list, but what’s a man to do? I vote, it just doesn’t make a difference when you’re only option is choose the lesser of two evils.

The most common way people give up their power, is by thinking they don’t have any.

It was much easier for me to blame my government’s corruption, not only for my country’s agony, but my personal misfortune. I was not like other citizens. I did not just sit back and remain silent. I expressed my anger at the grocery store and office. I was clear when I told my family, dentist, and hairdresser that I have had enough. Nobody can ever say I haven’t fought for my rights; hell, five months ago I came damn close to bludgeoning my neighbor when he refused to acknowledge the corruptive, authoritarian reign our government imposes upon us. No one in God’s great universe can accuse me of not fighting for a democratic Mexico.

It is not only for what we do we are held responsible, but also for what we do not do.

I couldn’t be accused of blindness. I live in a country which gives us the democratic power of electing our officials by voting. I know it’s not just my government’s fault, it is also the fault of every citizen who chose not to vote.

Bad officials are elected by good citizens who don’t vote.

My personal, past political views have a strong, historical, family history. I chose PRI, how could I not. My great grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles have all been PRI. My father, back in the day was actually in PRI as a government official. These are all good, well educated, citizen conscious people from my family. How could an entire family be wrong, besides, it has never been just my family, entire demographic regions feel the same.

The great thing about democracy is that it gives every voter the chance to do something stupid.

Do you see my past ignorance? I am changing and Mexico is changing, but we are not alone. I see a global stirring in every country which claims democracy. Our citizen laziness, ignorance, and indifference, has corrupted the very basis of democracy being of the people and for the people. When democratic countries vote, they no longer look for liberty, the seek damage control. The party that will create less damage in our already battered existence, is the party which should be elected.

When the government fears the people, that is democratic liberty. When the people fear the government, that is tyranny.

The truth is everyone needs to vote, but vote itself, is only a small part of our citizen responsibility. We have to educate ourselves and seek the truth.

Believe in those who seek the truth, Doubt those who want to feed it to you.

Politics does not come in one size fits all. We cannot vote based on family, socioeconomic, or demographic tradition. Does your entire family share the same clothes? Why not? Would you be content using the same general medical practitioner for your infant child, spouse, and great grandfather? Do you believe in the need for specialty doctors? If so, why wouldn’t you believe in the need for specialty officials?
We are not obligated to choose a certain party down the line. We need to look at every proposal and really consider the best man for each individual position, regardless of the party.

We can’t stop with the vote. In a democratic system there are checks and balances; if they check, we should balance. If you created a prosperous business and chose executives to manage, would you not demand reports and continue overseeing your interests? We all know banks are to save and protect our money for us, but will you deposit your life savings and never check your balance? Although, we personally may not be competent to oversee our country as an individual, does it mean we should not demand reports and oversee our welfare from the qualified executives that we hired? We have to remain active, it’s never good to give anyone complete power of another. That is exactly why democracy was devised. Government checks, citizens balance.

If your children were being treated unfairly in school, would you turn the other cheek? Have you ever complained to management about an inept or rude employee at a business you’ve frequented? Why do we fall silent in front of our government, the one we hired to work for us?

The job of a citizen is to keep its mouth open.

Here’s the bottom line. We shouldn’t accept small remedies when we know there’s a cure and we shouldn’t accept minimal benefits when we know we have gain. We need to focus on our own fulfillment of citizen responsibilities.

It’s time we wake up. Complaining and indifference will not change our world. United efforts and diligence can make the difference. Actions always speak much louder than words.

When great changes occur in history, when great principles are involved, as a rule the majority are wrong, minority are right.

We are deserving of change, we can make a difference. Rights only have value, if we make them valuable. The time has come to get up, get smart, and get off our asses and make it happen.

Peace to you and yours!