An interesting, if not very well written, article appeared in the British newspaper The Guardian on Monday (27th Oct’08). Reporter Gary Younge discusses the prospect of many Americans being denied the opportunity to vote due to a compromised voter registration system and a complex ballot process. Mr Younge compares the indignities that might face American voters, especially black and other ethic groups, with the solemnity of the first democratic elections in South Africa back in 1994.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/oct/27/african-american-voters-barack-obama
This analogy got me thinking. Whilst Mr Younge berates the American voting system (and let’s face it, it does have problems), the similarities with 1994 South Africa can also be positive. Thanks to the work of the Obama team and others more Americans than ever before and especially more young Americans and those belonging to ethic or minority groups will have the opportunity to vote next Tuesday. Even if a proportion of these new voters (hopefully only a very small proportion) have their vote challenged this is still a reason to celebrate. After all democracy depends upon the participation of the people and the more people who take part in the democratic process the more democratic a society will become.
So my advice to you is to read Mr Younge’s article. Think about the dignified way in which millions of black South African’s cast their first vote and do the same. Put on your best clothes, join the line early, queue quietly and respectfully, make sure your vote counts. Whatever shenanigans occur at the polling station your solemnity will overcome all obstacles and demonstrate that, even if your right to vote is challenged, you have far more dignity and decency than those who would seek to manipulate the system.
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