Re: The recent letter to the editor from Mr. Steve Clement (‘Political apathy is just a symptom of a deeper problem with our democracy,’ April 7.)
I wish to concur almost completely with Mr. Clement, but would add a few words of elaboration. We the citizens of this election charade, which poses as “democracy”, are neither apathetic or ignorant. The truly ignorant citizens are those who proclaim citizens “ignorant” and those who assume that being allowed to place a mark in a little square once every four or five years is the equivalent of practising democracy.
In our so-called democracy, which I prefer to call “corporatocracy” rather than oligarchy, those who posses and administer near dictatorial powers are certainly not apathetic or ignorant. They know exactly how, and for what
purpose they control all that affects us, the majority of citizens.
I differ from Mr. Clement in that he proposes a very viable solution in his mention of recent events in Egypt and elsewhere, but suggests that our Canadian sensibility wouldn’t permit this action. I think it is a very viable solution.
As for the motives of Canadians, I see laziness in thinking about solutions and fear of promoting the solidarity required to solve our democratic deficit. Alternately, those in position of real power know no limits to what they will practise, including the use of riot police, tear gas, water canon, high fences, artificial lakes, and “agent provocateurs” witnessed in recent history.
Further to the ignorance charge, a study of history of the world and its people will reveal that ruling orders and systems of governing and controlling others did not fall from the sky. Most regimes were originally established by the use of clever, naked physical power.
For anyone seeking knowledge I recommend the book, A Short History of Progress by Ronald Wright.
W. Ken Auld
Castlegar