Today I will vote, because I am a citizen of the world
Today there are elections in The Netherlands. We vote twice today, once to elect new members of the provincial councils and once to elect new members of the water boards. Today people will vote about the future of the country, about how we want our country to be, who we want in government, who we want in power. Today we speak out about what matters to us by voting. As I sit here writing this I am still trying to decide which party to vote for in the provincial council elections, which is why I haven't been to vote yet. When it comes to the water boards, I know exactly which party I will vote for and why. In case you're curious, I'll be voting for Water Natuurlijk
because their vision best matches my own. To read about why water
boards exist in The Netherlands, check out DutchNews.nl's excellent
article "Why you should vote for your local water board? A dijkgraaf explains all" which really does explain the importance of water management in The Netherlands.
What I like about today's election here in The Netherlands is that we can vote twice - one vote to decide about nature and water management and another to decide about government. One vote for the planet and for the safety of the country itself, another for how the country is governed and the safety of the people who live here. For those interested in learning more about today's elections in general terms, visit the Website DutchNews.nl to read their article "The Netherlands votes for new provincial councils" which explains clearly what today's vote is about. From their article come the following explanations:
I've talked to people who don't want to vote, who see these elections as trivial, who have little confidence that their vote will matter, that their opinion will matter. To those not voting: If you don't vote, your voice will not be heard, that is the simple truth. That is why I believe it is important to vote, because we live in a democracy, in a country where my vote counts, where what I care about matters as much as what others care about. I live in a country where my vision for the future has as much weight as another's vision and by voting for that vision, I can try to make it a reality. So, today I will vote. I will choose, I will speak, I will help decide the future of this country, because I can.
I was born in The Netherlands and have lived here for almost two-thirds of my life. The other third I spent in New Zealand. I'm a citizen of both countries and have exercised my right to vote in both countries, have spoken out for the future I envision in both countries. I have two nationalities, two home countries, two languages, two favourite national sports teams, family and friends in both countries. I am not just Dutch or just a Kiwi because I am both. To me, that means that I am a citizen of planet earth and a member of the human race, it means that I care about what happens beyond the borders of the country I live in because I know very well that the world is much bigger than just The Netherlands or just New Zealand.
As a citizen of planet earth and a member of the human race, I care about what we do to our planet and what will happen to it. I care about how the world will be twenty, fifty or a hundred years from now. Not just in one of the world's countries but in all of them. Not just for some humans but for all of them. Not just for some living beings but for all of them. In today's world of consumerism and the seemingly endless drive of so many to earn more, have more, own more and possess more, I am afraid for the future. We rush to the stores to buy the latest gadgets, games, toys, clothes, shoes and accessories while we dream of faster cars, bigger televisions and fancier gadgets. Yet we seem to forget about the planet, about the natural resources we are consuming at alarming rates, about the damage our drive to own, possess and conquer does to other living beings on this planet and to the planet itself. Surely keeping our planet healthy and taking care of the only home we have should matter more to us than owning 'stuff'? It does to me and yes, that is why I vote, as a citizen of the world and a human being who cares about the only home I know: Planet Earth.
I am to vote twice today, yet my second vote - the one about government - is still undecided. When it comes to the planet and the future, I am quite a leftie and want to vote for a political party that cares about investing in nature, clean energy, other living beings and the future of our only home. Yet when it comes to people and the present, I am more inclined to vote for a centre-right party that cares about global and national safety and security, that wants to combat terrorism and extremism and wants to keep our country and the world safe. So, who do I trust, who do I choose, which party will I support, who will I vote for? I'm still deciding, still sitting here reading and writing, still thinking. Left or (centre) right? Nature or security? Tomorrow or today?
What I like about today's election here in The Netherlands is that we can vote twice - one vote to decide about nature and water management and another to decide about government. One vote for the planet and for the safety of the country itself, another for how the country is governed and the safety of the people who live here. For those interested in learning more about today's elections in general terms, visit the Website DutchNews.nl to read their article "The Netherlands votes for new provincial councils" which explains clearly what today's vote is about. From their article come the following explanations:
"The winners in the provincial vote will go on to elect the 75 members of the senate in May. This means their role is crucial – the current coalition government does not have a majority in the upper house of parliament and relies on the help of opposition parties to get legislation through."
"The provinces receive money from central government to manage nature areas, build and maintain cycle paths, oversee provincial public transport and promote the arts and culture. The water boards (waterschappen) regulate how public money is spent on ensuring a clean water supply and making sure the country does not flood."
I've talked to people who don't want to vote, who see these elections as trivial, who have little confidence that their vote will matter, that their opinion will matter. To those not voting: If you don't vote, your voice will not be heard, that is the simple truth. That is why I believe it is important to vote, because we live in a democracy, in a country where my vote counts, where what I care about matters as much as what others care about. I live in a country where my vision for the future has as much weight as another's vision and by voting for that vision, I can try to make it a reality. So, today I will vote. I will choose, I will speak, I will help decide the future of this country, because I can.
I was born in The Netherlands and have lived here for almost two-thirds of my life. The other third I spent in New Zealand. I'm a citizen of both countries and have exercised my right to vote in both countries, have spoken out for the future I envision in both countries. I have two nationalities, two home countries, two languages, two favourite national sports teams, family and friends in both countries. I am not just Dutch or just a Kiwi because I am both. To me, that means that I am a citizen of planet earth and a member of the human race, it means that I care about what happens beyond the borders of the country I live in because I know very well that the world is much bigger than just The Netherlands or just New Zealand.
As a citizen of planet earth and a member of the human race, I care about what we do to our planet and what will happen to it. I care about how the world will be twenty, fifty or a hundred years from now. Not just in one of the world's countries but in all of them. Not just for some humans but for all of them. Not just for some living beings but for all of them. In today's world of consumerism and the seemingly endless drive of so many to earn more, have more, own more and possess more, I am afraid for the future. We rush to the stores to buy the latest gadgets, games, toys, clothes, shoes and accessories while we dream of faster cars, bigger televisions and fancier gadgets. Yet we seem to forget about the planet, about the natural resources we are consuming at alarming rates, about the damage our drive to own, possess and conquer does to other living beings on this planet and to the planet itself. Surely keeping our planet healthy and taking care of the only home we have should matter more to us than owning 'stuff'? It does to me and yes, that is why I vote, as a citizen of the world and a human being who cares about the only home I know: Planet Earth.
I am to vote twice today, yet my second vote - the one about government - is still undecided. When it comes to the planet and the future, I am quite a leftie and want to vote for a political party that cares about investing in nature, clean energy, other living beings and the future of our only home. Yet when it comes to people and the present, I am more inclined to vote for a centre-right party that cares about global and national safety and security, that wants to combat terrorism and extremism and wants to keep our country and the world safe. So, who do I trust, who do I choose, which party will I support, who will I vote for? I'm still deciding, still sitting here reading and writing, still thinking. Left or (centre) right? Nature or security? Tomorrow or today?
