Opinions about politicians and politics are as bad as they can be. The stereotypical synonym for someone seeking a mandate as a councillor (senator, MP, president) is the expression: “pushing their way to the trough.” In discussions on online forums, the terms “the arrangement” and “they—politicians—made a deal to get as much as possible for themselves” appear repeatedly. People who begin governing are immediately placed on the other side of the barricade. They automatically become those who will do whatever they please, against our will. It does not matter whether this is really the case. A person running for office ceases to be a human being. They become power. Despite 20 years of change and democracy, we still believe that we will be helpless when a politician enacts another law or implements an idea that does not fit our reality and actual needs.
Despite this stereotype of power, online forums—the most democratic place in the world—are alive with discussions about who will be best for the city. Among the many posts, I find ones that convince me that we increasingly think of Bolesławiec as our city, rather than a political playground for politicians who merely dream of power. We are also becoming increasingly aware of what needs improvement, what does not fit and what makes life difficult. Discussions with voters are becoming substantive. You cannot tell them just anything or promise them castles in the air, believing that they will not understand the legal or statutory complexities. Society’s learning is the result of the need to acquire knowledge for its own purposes (to run a business, obtain a grant or take out a loan). And this is one of the mechanisms of democracy at work, discreetly changing our approach to power.
Voters set the bar high for candidates. And this shows that they do, after all, believe in their influence over how the city will be governed. That is what they care about, rather than individual interests. Increasingly often, from behind the rigid thinking that “a politician equals the trough,” another thought is emerging, though it has not yet been fully realized: I choose the politician.
I hope that, along with awareness of our real participation in governance, our responsibility for whom we elect will also grow. I would like residents to realize that they are the most important.
I also hope that it will not only be the choice, but precisely the responsibility for it, that becomes increasingly important. Then we will examine the candidates more carefully and choose in accordance with our needs. And when we take responsibility for these decisions, we will help the person elected govern our city well.
The former stereotype—voter (deceived), elected official (deceiving)—served no purpose except to fuel frustration, a sense of passivity and emerging aggression. The elected councillor or president will be able to build more easily and better, receiving help from an aware and responsible voter. I continue to believe that this is our future in the elections to come.
Grażyna Hanaf