The 22nd year of being Ryan Hartley, documented.

“Hang on a moment, Carbon, you obstreperous bibliophile” you say, “Why don’t you stick to what we’re all used to by now? Give us a fluff piece where you talk about two different topics, throw in some overextended metaphor that no-one understands and the odd comment about how you’re more used to a mild climate instead of bombarding us with a discussion on who’s going to be the SRC Member for Trade and Industry. Discussing campus politics isn’t just courting disaster, it’s stalking it on Facebook, arriving at its home at night and then standing outside its window with a boom box over your head playing ‘Bleeding Love.’”  This is a valid query. The reason I’m venturing where angels fear to two-step is that I’m quite fond of the democratic process. I’m quite fond of it in the in the same way that teenagers are quite fond of Mxit or the way Karl Marx was quite keen sharing. As far as I’m concerned the democratic process is one of the only viable means of selection of leadership. In my mind it’s either that or a Survivor-type obstacle course with one of those giant-sized puzzles at the end.  I also like the momentary rush of power as I hold someone’s ambitions in my hand, but who doesn’t like that?

Obama believes in Democracy

 I believe in Democracy. The American Presidential Election is one of my favourite sporting events right up there with curling and luge. I’ve been supporting Obama since before Oprah thought it was cool and unless America thinks again and thinks McCain, I’m going to have the joy of seeing America with a President whose middle name is Hussein. I believe in election by the people. I believe in the intrinsic right of humanity to exercise free will and choice. I believe in karma what who give is what you get returned. I believe you can’t appreciate real love till you’ve been burned.  I also believe that less than 20% of Stellenbosch students vote in the SRC elections. Last year only 7 400 people voted.  That really isn’t a lot. Those of you who attended the Soen in die Laan will know that 7 400 looks like a lot less than you thought it would. It appears that to the vast majority of campus the SRC is pretty much the same as the Tooth Fairy or the Easter Bunny.  People know about them, but are a little fuzzy on the specifics; you can’t see them unless it’s on some marketing poster; other people seem to get more out of it than you do; and in reality it’s just your mom.  The long and the short of it is that people round these parts just aren’t aware of what exactly it is that they do. I’m sure they do stuff, otherwise why would they exist? You could probably go to a Student Parliament Meeting if you really wanted to find out what is going on, but that’s a bit extreme isn’t it?  I suggest you follow my approach. I prefer keeping the idea of democracy pure without that whole messy business of getting people’s opinions on every issue. It’s much easier to value the idea of democracy than it is to actively participate in the process of leadership. Which is fine by me: easy is better. My advice to you is to vote in the SRC elections so that you can spend the rest of the year in cosy apathy while the business of leadership happens at a comfortable distance.  Go, Soldier of Democracy! Cast your vote!