In the course of one's life, one can hear statements that get stuck deep inside oneself. I remember two such moments that were true eye-openers.
The first one was during my studies. I was at a history lecture on the relations between the European states in the sixteenth century. The professor said this sentence: "Remember, whenever you hear speaking of friendship between nations, you should understand that the parties have a mutual interest, but there's nothing such as a friendship between them."
The second one was more recently, when a friend of mine, who is elected in a cantonal parliament, told me that no politician will take the initiative to do something groundbreaking. He will only do what his electors want him to do.
The first showed me that one has to try to understand what a politician actual means when he is saying given words, and the second one convinced me that there's nothing better than grassroots movements.
I for one never wanted to go into politics, in the sense of being elected. I believe that the political structures are too stuck and use too much of one's energy for tactical games. However, living in Switzerland with the so-called direct democracy, which allows us to vote on so many topics, made me aware of the role I could play.
I was thirteen years old when I first got interested in a poll. It was a referendum about the Rail 2000 project which aimed to improve our rail infrastructure. Even though I still had five years to go before being able to cast my first vote, I had a billboard poster hanging in my room and talked about this project to all my relatives. We eventually won the poll and I was so excited about all the changes coming up.
When I turned eighteen, I was so proud I could vote that I never missed a poll since then. As we have four polling dates per year, I'm constantly involved in political topics. In the recent years even actively campaigning, albeit on a very local level.
As a student, I went to a couple of rallies, at that time the issues were budget cuts on education. For the past five years or so, I have been going to uncountable rallies, especially those about the climate. The biggest one was two years ago when we were 100'000 in the capital city, Bern. It was very impressive but also the most boring of all rallies, as we stood more or less at the same place during more than one hour without being able to get forward and join the speakers on the main square in front of the parliament building.
Hi Erich, yes, those are definitely memorable words. I am trying to picture how these polls would play out in my state. Most of it is red (Republican or maybe, very possibly, Trumpian) with a blue oasis here and there, one of them being Monroe county. I fear a lot of losses at the polls, but at the same time, I also see it as a chance for people to stay actively involved in outcomes. And who knows, there may be some who learn something beyond their pre-set opinion.
Very well written, Erich. Thank you for sharing your experiences. Like @Silly7, I wonder how polls would fare where I live.
Good one, Erich! After reading about so many of your likes, I feel like I know you))) You're definitely an interesting guy. Great work!
Hi all, thanks for correcting! @Silly7, we also have the "honour" to have a party in Switzerland, which has a far right, trumpian wing. @kathleen_s you can try by asking around you the next question that will be asked to Swiss voters: Should a face-cover ban (especially targeted at burka wearers) be established nationwide? The other questions asked in March will be about a free trade agreement with Indonesia and a government-licensed digital identification scheme. @CocoPop, it's nice to see you at each of my installments and all your input is highly appreciated :)