Tomorrow, on Oct. 14th, you will have a choice to cast your ballot.  It is a time when democracy seizes to be an intellectual exercise for commentators, pundits and pollsters. All the fuss comes down to scribbling a mark on a small piece of paper, an answer to a question. The question is multiple choice, your choice is kept secret and there is no right answer. It is this simple act that has brought humanity from dictatorship to representative democracy in much of the world. From oppressive control to opportunity and freedom. There are flaws and in our system that can and should be improved but change no longer require violence and bloodshed. In much of our history and in many parts of the world change isn’t possible unless you are willing to risk your life and the lives of your family for it. Dissent is met with oppression and resentment from everyone and everything you know.

My family had witnessed the difference between democracy and dictatorship first hand when we lived in USSR before 1990. Russia was a communist dictatorship and change was unthinkable. You could not choose government leadership on a local, state, or national levels. You could not choose where you lived and worked, that was ultimately approved by government. You could not choose to start a business big or small. You could not choose to have a protest or start a non-government organization and organize around issues you wanted to. You could not choose the location of your home or work. You could not choose to even publicly release music, movies, or pictures unless it was approved by some government bureaucracy. In Canada you can choose. It is something parents did not have when they were my age. It is that choice that many around the world continue to sacrifice their lives for. 

Tomorrow, choose to to vote. Choose to vote for the local candidate, leader or political party that you like most or one that you dislike least. Chose to vote in support of an issue or in protest. Choose to vote because you can. Choose to vote because it is that choice that makes all other choices possible.