The Ultimate Right of Democracy

In civics classes we’ve always been taught that as a good citizen, voting is the decent thing to do. But why should we?

This year’s election system doesn’t make voting easy for us. There are 12.000 candidates, 38 parties fighting for 700 parliamentary seats. It’s difficult to listen carefully when they all declare they intend to fight corruption, help the poor, increase the people’s welfare, and lead Indonesia to a better future.
And despite the recent surge in anti-corruption campaign lead by KPK, the statistics still show that Indonesia is among one of the most corrupt countries in Asia, if not the world. Indonesia is ranked 126th out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s Corruption Peraception Index.

Too often have I heard that the people felt neglected by the candidates after assuming office, that they never really meant their word and would say anything just to get elected. Too often have I heard complaints that there are virtually no credible candidates or parties; everyone is corrupt; and the whole system is so broken that we shouldn’t even bother to take any part in it.

However, just because it’s hard, it doesn’t make the work in hand any less important.
We like to criticise the government. We blame them for corruption. We blame them for rising gas prices. We blame them for the people’s lack of welfare. But we must remember that we put them there. The only way to put them out of office is to vote them out.

The overly skeptical reason of not voting because there are no credible candidates is actually a fallacy. It’s a result of the failure to comprehensively consider the options, as there is always the other side, the better side, of the coin. There is no 100% corrupt body just as there is no 100% corrupt-free body. Even if we have looked at all the options carefully and still can’t find the one that matches our aspirations, we can always choose the lesser of the devils.
Voting is a responsibility. My journalism teacher, Patrick Guntensperger, who is also a political critic, once wrote, “A stupid vote elects a stupid government.” That being said, if we got it wrong, we’re going to regret it for the next five years. Just ask the Americans who voted for George W. Bush.

In the dawn of the 21st century, the stakes could not have been higher. The world is seeing the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. Terrorism continues to pose a threat to any nation. Tsunamis, droughts, floods; the effects of climate change are already in plain sight. Now is simply not a good time for inaction. Then again, no time is. We have the responsibility to make a decision that will determine our future—and make sure that it isn’t stupid.
An editorial piece by Jakarta Globe read, “Those who mark their ballots are exercising a sacred duty in a free country.”

Voting is not just a right; it is the ultimate right of democracy. It is a right that was hard earned by the founding fathers of this nation. It is a right that was founded by the simple idea that having a government, even with its flaws, is better than having no government at all. It is a right that was fought by people who sacrificed themselves for that one ultimate dream: democracy. We would perform a great disservice to the heroes our nation if we choose to sit on the sidelines and watch a historic opportunity pass us by.