[No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that] democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.
[ Winston Churchill, Speech in the House of Commons (1947-11-11), The Official Report, House of Commons (5th Series), 11 November 1947, vol. 444, cc. 206–07 ]
Democracy has its flaws. But as Winston Churchill stated more than 50 years ago it’s the best form we have at all. I’m feeling thankful and blessed to live in a country where I can vote freely and secretly. For decades many european countries have tried to gather in an overall organisation of democratic european countries. It began in the fifties as an economic community and now it is the greatest gathering of democratic countries and people of the world. From 22-25 May 2014, about 400 million people vote in the elections to the European Parliament of the European Union (EU) (Wikipedia: European Parliament election, 2014).
Many many people don’t have the possibility to vote freely and secretly. I feel it is my duty to carry out my right to vote. I owe it all those people who can’t stand up for free speech. Who have to fear being killed for what they say. Who have to fear being killed for what or whom they vote for.
European countries, their parties and their people make mistakes. Sometimes Eurpean people or people from other countries or other countries feel being threatened by this „European Monster“ of countries, interests and people.
They don’t have to IMHO. But feeling threatened is nothing about logical thinking or something you can vanish with a press release. It’s about feelings and about misunderstandings and about interests.
Don’t panic
But please don’t panic. As long as there are people who share visions like to have a towel in case the Earth is to be destroyed by Vogons to make way for a hyperspatial express route Europe will be sometimes or even many times wrong. But we will find a way to use our towel before someone gets hurt.
Living in a community of countries whith free and secret elections also means to have a walk to and from the polling station not having to fear being threatened by anyone. Relax and don’t panic.
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