November 11 is coming up soon, our day to remember those who died in order to obtain and protect our freedom. I find the remembrance day following our federal elections always to be interesting. People who chose not to vote are still claiming to appreciate the sacrifice that we remember on November 11.
The further away from the “old wars” in the 20th century, the less importance seems to be placed on the freedoms that were hard fought and won. The right to vote is something that people literally died to obtain. Refusal to exercise that right is making that sacrifice meaningless.
If you didn’t vote, you didn’t “send a message”. A message is sent when you vote. There is no perfect candidate or party, but a vote sends a message. If, as many Canadians felt, there was no one to vote for, then get involved in the political parties. Elect candidates and leaders who are worthy of your vote: don’t just stand on the sidelines and pretend to appreciate the lives of soldiers who died.
Soldiers didn’t die so you could complain: they died so we all could enjoy the freedoms we have today.
Inga B. Andriessen JD