After years of social democratic rulers, Sweden has finally gotten a clear election winner that stands for something new. Fredrik Reinfedlt will replace Goran Persson (the mobster) as Sweden's new Premier Minister. The 41-year old Reinfeldt is smart, well articulated, and certainly more "polished" than the man whose seat he'll soon be taking over. None of these qualities will hurt him in his efforts to "restructure" some of the Swedish government provided services (they are great, but like everything they get stale with time and in need of some minor tuning), nor will it hurt him in an international perspective. His wife, Filippa, is the leading lady in the City of Täby, where their party got the majority of the seats and will not need any "partners" to govern this time.
(photo of Fredrik Reinfeldt by Ulrika Vendelbo)
Not so of course on the national level, where Fredric Reinfeldt is forming a coalition goverment based on the "Conservatives" (Moderaterna), the "Liberals" (Folkpartiet), the "ChistianDemocrats" (Kristdemokraterna), and the "Center" (Centerpartiet).
Almost 80% of the elecorate cast a ballot, a good number even with Swedish standards, and Mr. Reinfeldt's party had its best election since the 1920ies.
Democracy is a priviligde and voting should be seen almost as a requirement. I can still not understand the system here in the US. Only a small fraction of the population excercises their right to vote, even less really do spend any time to get educated and informed about what they are voting "for" (or against). In such a system, a people get the politicians they deserve, as is demonstrated by the current government.
Having a system where you need to register to vote is borderline un-democratic. Just the mere fact that you are a citizen, it should also - automatically - grant you the right as well as the ability to vote. Citizens should also acknowledge this right and excercise it. We would be living in a very different country - and world - if people actually did make the effort and went to the polls.
That said, King County is planning to make all elections "absentee" elections. Crazy idea!
"Voting day" is a special day and the walk up to the polling place, chatting with neighbors and friends along the way, is something special. Just putting an envelope in the mail, or worse tap the finger on an electronic "voting machine" just does not make true democracy justice.
On the other hand, local goverment works in many ways better here in the US, or at least in Kirkland where we live. It is easy to get involved, easy to get your voice heard, and you actually CAN make a difference. Maybe City of Kirkland is unique, but if so, it is a good model for how things actually can work!
If a person doesn't have the wits to get off his/her lazy rump and actually register to vote, why would we want that person casting a vote in the first place? We all have the right to vote, but it's those of us who take the initiative (registering) that are most likely to be informed and cognisant of the politics of the day. Having people register is not exclusionary, just weeding out the chaff.
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