To go or not to go?

Although our interests as citizens vary, each one is an artery to the heart that pumps life through the body politic, and each is important to the health of democracy.

BILL MOYERS, The Nation, Jan. 22, 2007

We all know what the voting is, it a decision in favour of something or someone that/whom we like. It is a decision which we have to make based on our own choices and preferences, on our own ambitions. In these not so easy times we have to make more and more decisions in choosing one or another thing, because we have to keep in mind that there is a slight possibility of losing job tomorrow or not be able to pay for rent. Thus we have to make a decision about tomorrow already today.

Latvian politics as many of you might know are not in a very good shape right now, to put it in other words lets see what the head of the Latvian Bank, Ilmārs Rimšēvičs, said- we are standing on the edge of the precipice, but like idiots proceed talking that everything is okay. It would be worth while tightening the purse-strings[1]. Due to all these changes Latvian people are confused and do not want to trust anyone, however, they will have to make a choice especially because this summer there is not one, but two elections ahead of them.

On the 6th of June Latvian citizens will go to vote for representatives in European Parlament and regional governments. The decision they have to make is not an easy one, especially because Latvia has the fastest growing number of unemployment, 15 % already, from Central and Eastern European countries and as well due to the fact that people’s trust in their politicians is extremely low[2]. Many people are angry with the current situation and they do not believe that their vote would change anything, however, it is wrong.

Every single man and woman has two votes to cast this June. They will choose between 11204 candidates in regional elections and 186 candidates for European Parliament. Even if there is such low trust in politicians, Latvian people in these elections should pick up what’s theirs- a right to chose.

[1] http://www.geopolitika.lt/?artc=2766
[2] http://www.reitingi.lv/lv/news/politika/29059.html

The New Spirit Of Patriotism

My first experience with Estonian electronic card was four years ago when I came to study in Tallinn. I had to only see this thing to start to perceive Estonians as more developed society in terms of using technology in their everyday life than Latvians. The free wi-fi access in central park, caffes, the ID ticket, e-government and there are more to add, but I think I stop here, because the neighbors Latvians doesn’t have anything of that. The logical “why?” question arises.

I was inspired by blogger Alehins post “What is Latvia good at?” in Diena.lv. He writes about the importance of government investing in science, as the bright minds are the ones that can save “the small young countries with no lengthy sovereignty traditions”. I very much agree with it and I don’t like to see how young, smart, promising people move to other countries to work in cafeterias or to do other simple jobs. It is essential for Latvia to keep them here and let them generate ideas with which we can compete or survive.

In the most of the cases people don’t get married without having strong commitment against each other, most likely they are in love and they think at some point that they will spend together the whole life. Commitment from Latvians to Latvia is missing. Take a look at the Latvian society and you will see that probably people love their country but not their state. I agree that blaming government in all your personal problems is wrong, but it’s not like we wouldn’t have reason to be angry at “someone already cosily filling a chair at a top official desk”.

The Latvian rise of patriotism was seen during World Hockey Championship. Latvian hockey team surprised everyone, even bookmakers who said that we won’t get better place than 9th. As a matter of fact we left Championship being in the place 7. Our Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis sent a greeting card to our hockey team after the historical game, when Latvia won Sweden for the first time ever (http://www.iihf.com/channels/iihf-world-championship-oc09/home/news/news-singleview-world-championship-2009/article/latvia-shakes-sweden.html?tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=2277&cHash=4cf469c530). He wrote: ”This spring has definitely been historical, Latvia’s victory over the world’s elite hockey team is not only success of our hockey team and their coaches, but it’s also an remarkable event that unites our society in the time, when Latvia are experiencing difficulties”.

Patriotism is wanted and it can save the country if transformed in correct way. The blogger I mentioned before suggests to turn the patriotism from feelings to the real works. Putting Latvian flags on your car might look stylish, but it is the time when it would be more useful to pay taxes, indeed, it is the great way to reveal the patriotic feelings.

May Starts With European Union Style Party

On the 1st May Latvia marked 5 year anniversary since joining the European Union. A lot of celebration events will take place in May. But while people are smiling in the photographs from the 1st May celebration it may seem that everybody is happy about the EU, on the contrary the largest newspaper Diena poll tells us how Latvians actually feel about the EU.

I think I won’t be wrong calling Latvians the biggest pesimists in the whole EU community.