I Vote Blank

I have always been curious about everything in life; I have always had a passion to know more and to constantly learn new things. But there is one thing which I could never get myself to like or be interested in. I tried reading about it, asking around, watching documentaries… I tried to involve myself, but nothing would do. Politics and I were just not meant to be friends. With time however, not only did I come to terms with the idea, but I also developed some sort of pride about it.

You see, politics is a nosy bitch, interfering in places where it has no business in doing so. It has got itself meddling in liberal professions orders elections, student body elections at universities… you name it. Why are pharmacists and doctors thinking of politics when voting for the person who will be in charge of implementing rules and regulations to be applied in pharmacies and hospitals for example? Why is politics even taken into consideration when choosing the best person to sustain people’s health and safety? Why is politics a factor affecting students’ opinions in choosing their student body president, whose main objective is to make sure their rights are preserved and their voice is heard?

Nowadays, people find it very hard to believe that a person might not follow or support any specific political party. It has become impossible for us to view each other as fellow humans instead of mere politically affiliated entities. It has become impossible for us to look a little deeper into each other’s values and principles. We have come to be defined by our political affiliations; we might as well be walking with political labels on our foreheads. No one feels they really “know” a person until they have identified their political affiliation; only then can they form a comprehensive and complete opinion about them.

My popularity increases so much around the time of the elections by the way! My phone starts ringing nonstop, people I have never talked to before start calling me up, inviting me to “express my right” and vote. I am not doing much “expressing” when you are literally telling me who to vote for, don’t you think? I hate to break it to you, but just because my father’s grandfather’s uncle voted for you 30 years ago does not necessarily mean I will do the same. It is not hereditary you know. So thank you for respecting my democracy and freedom of speech, and leaving me alone!

Just recently, the municipal elections took place in Beirut. And now that the municipality representatives have been selected, I hope they will be up to the standards. I hope they bring back the Beirut that was once known as the capital of the East. I hope they dedicate their efforts to increasing the green spaces around the city. I hope they make sure the roads are safe for us to drive on, and that parking spots are available. I hope they improve the infrastructure and serve all the city’s residents equally.

A person I know was running as an independent candidate for the municipality elections, knowing deep down that she did not stand a chance. But still, she went ahead with it, worked on a campaign, asked her friends for help...and even prepared a program! Now that’s something all of the other candidates forgot to do. I guess they were too busy having their Photoshopped pictures glued on each and every wall in the country; how do you want me to vote for you if I have no clue what you have to offer me and my city? How am I supposed to vote for your program if your program is nonexistent? I deserve to know the reasons why you are better than the others. I need to make sure you are in this to make my city better, not your wallet wealthier. I don’t want to be voting for the next person who will best know how to steal my money.

Let’s face it, independent candidates never stand a chance, they are not “supported”. And speaking of support, I am very touched by the “support” that Lebanese politicians have for each other. One day they will be on each other’s side, the next they will murder each other’s families and join the enemy, just like that, just to try something new.

Politics has made me hate every single color I once possibly liked. Green does not remind me of trees anymore, nor does blue remind me of the sky. Orange does not remind me of autumn leaves, and yellow does not remind me of the sun. At the end of the day, it has all proved to be same shit, different colors. That is why I do not have a favorite color anymore. And unless more independent candidates with true potential and visible programs come along, I will be voting blank.

I will keep voting blank until I am proven that otherwise is feasible in this time of hypocrisy and corruption.