One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics, is that you end up being governed by your inferiors

– Plato –

Politics has a bad reputation nowadays. During my daily conversations I realized that most people want nothing to do with it.

It’s synonymous with dishonesty and broken promises. And to most extents, it’s true. Our political systems are being taken advantage of, self-interested politicians exploit rules to further the agendas of corporations. The siren songs of power and money are played daily, turning young idealists to establishment sellouts.

We feel betrayed over and over again, our efforts don’t seem to do anything. This is why most people nowadays don’t bother to keep up with the political scene.

Or, they don’t feel that it impacts their lives directly, therefore giving up their voice. It’s easier to not care when it’s not your rights that are being taken away, your way of life threatened, your future taken away. But there is an important thing about politics that most people don’t seem to realize, that it impacts every aspect of our lives. We all lead vastly different lives, with different hobbies, careers and values. But something we can all agree on is that everyone deserves to live a good life, and the best way to achieve that is to be involved in the political scene.

The system we have now is far from ideal, but if we can’t change it if we don’t act together, and act fast.

You may not take interest in politics.

But politics will take interest in you..

The stakes have never been higher. Politics affect every single aspect of our lives. It’s the great decider. The future of our society is led by the policies that will change how we live our lives. Turning a blind eye to this is only going to make it easier for them to undermine our democracy. Some people will go to any lengths to win. Bending the rules, money politics, smear campaigns, and lying to make themselves look good.

We should all do something to right the wrongs we see and not just complain about them.

And I admit, politics is very hard to get into. Especially if you don’t know who represents what. In some countries like the United States, there are only two major parties that represents two different ideologies, but in a country like Indonesia, there are dozens of political parties, and their ideologies and stances on social issues change with the candidates they support. The representatives who hold office may not have your best interest in heart. In fact, it’s more likely that they don’t. It’s our job to make sure that our leaders and decision makers are capable and principled.

Educate yourself on candidates and issues, because ignorance and apathy are our greatest enemy. And if you can, try to make others care too. Show them that together, we have a voice, together, we can make a difference. There is still hope. Movements and social awareness are rising all over the world, demanding justice and reform. Actual honest representatives of the people need your help. It will be a long uphill battle, but it’s sure as hell better than lying down and letting them destroy everything we have worked toward, a better tomorrow.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matters

– Martin Luther King Jr. –