Democracy is not a spectator sport

Go vote today, if you are physically able. It's your duty. It's not much to ask compared to what is asked of American and British boys in Iraq and Afghanistan, or of aid troops in the tsunami affected ares. You don't need to wage war or get your hands dirty. There's no risk of any bodily harm.

Your country demands of you to vote. And it has every right to do so, for you are your country. Thus, you owe it to yourself, and to those with whom you share this fine nation, to show up at the ballot box (well, voting computer).

An American gentleman sent me an email yesterday night. He spoke of Dutch patriots. That made me pause for a moment. The Dutch don't like words such as patriots. World War II has made us equate the love of our nation and pride in our values with the exact opposite: the hatred of other nations and the despising of other values. Elements that characterized fascist Germany.

That's a shame. For to love the Netherlands means nothing more, and nothing less, than to love the ideas upon which this country is built. Common sense. Our love of being stubborn, and those that are. Freedom of speech, even of being offensive. It is not an endorsement of fascism, but a celebration of diversity and community amongst individuals.

Be a Dutch patriot. Go vote. No more can be asked of you, no less can be sufficient.

'The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.'
(Thomas Paine)

9:31

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