Democracy: voting is just the starting point

Today is municipal election day across Ontario, and perhaps as a cultural kneejerk reaction I'm feeling the need to advise you to vote.

Yes, voting is important, but if we just leave it at that, we're missing out on the rest of our civic duty. You see, if democracy really does mean "rule of the people", then our collective job as rulers is a full-time responsibility. While Canadian democracy is indeed "representative" in terms of the work of politicians (enacting laws, setting policies, approving operating and capital budgets, etc.), collectively we are their bosses, and like any effective boss we owe to ourselves to hold them accountable each and every day, rather than resolving to vote them out the next time around.

Holding politicians accountable between elections can take many forms, including (but not limited to):

• keeping up with what's going on in in your local community,

• writing letters to the editor, blogging, or taking to social media when your elected officials aren't working in the best interests of your family or your community,

• joining and becoming active in your local community association,

• running for office at some local community level, such as your community association, the board of your housing co-op or condominium association, or the Parent Teacher Association of your child's school,

• engaging in direct action when warranted, including demonstrations, petitions, or other forms of grassroots organization, and

• showing up at public meetings and making yourself heard, even if it means being escorted out and/or being arrested.

I write this at least as a partial hypocrite - while I certainly have no problem taking my grievances online, and while I also serve on my housing co-op's Board of Directors, it doesn't quite feel like enough, and thus I am guilty of not being fully engaged on many of the other points cited above. Also, all-too-often I become wrapped up in issues that are outside the jurisdiction of any politician who represents me, or that have no appreciable effect on my community. I resolve to be a better citizen this time around.

In short, our system functions best when we collectively lord our power over politicians, rather than fall back on whatever excuses for apathy people normally have. Yes, voting is important, but for the sake of the integrity of our system we can't afford to vote and then simply coast until the next election cycle on that warm, gooey feeling we're conditioned to have merely by filling out a ballot. (I've been guilty of much political coasting myself, so this is as much for me as it is for you.)

Otherwise, a representative democracy with a sleeping electorate is a symbolic democracy at best, one that leaves its citizens vulnerable to those who take public office with cynical or even corrupt purposes in mind. As the bosses of our politicians, we are obliged to be unforgiving hardasses - otherwise, we are failing our children, our communities, and ourselves.

All that being said, don't forget to take that important first step by getting yourself to the nearest polling station and voting.

Image: City of Ottawa / Elections | Ville d'Ottawa / Élections