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Singaporean Matters: Preserving the Essence of Democracy
In my view, the problem with democracy today is that we are not voting for a candidate but voting against them.
This is a dangerous trend because when we cast a vote against a candidate, we might inadvertently end up supporting someone who could be even less suitable for the role. At its essence, the act of voting is meant to signify our preference for the candidate we believe is the most favorable option. Opting to vote against a candidate undermines this foundational principle of democracy.
The hard truth is that there is no perfect candidate. Choosing to vote against a candidate due to a dislike for a certain aspect of them, or their policies, is analogous to throwing the baby out with the bathwater. This is reckless as you will be discarding something valuable while trying to eliminate something undesirable. In doing so, you will unintentionally forgo the opportunity to back the most suitable candidate for the role.
As we head into PE2023 this week, I urge you to adopt the mindset of voting for a candidate. While this mental shift might seem inconsequential, I assure you it is not.
