Democracy means different things to different people. There are forces at work that sway, like the wake of a harbor on docked boats. Undulating waves appear like ripples in the distance but strengthen with their approach. Their proximity to the weighty matter of bows and sterns causes unevenness in their keel. Democracy in its purist form resists temptation. It resists the need to be liked, and it resists the need for self aggrandizement. It exists solely in and of itself, faceless, torpid and indifferent.
I attended a meeting this weekend that reminded me democracy doesn’t take sides. It’s a tool for freeing the spirit and enhancing our lives. It’s what sets boats on the straight and narrow – even-keeled. It shouldn’t be a tool that says, “I’m right because I’m using democracy.” The pretense of calling it a democracy doesn’t give weight to your cause.
The meeting was for perhaps one of the most political governing bodies ever devised by man – the dreaded homeowners association (HOA). If you have never attended such a sordid circus of flying monkeys, treachery and baseness, warm up first by attending a city council meeting. They’re quite similar.
Homeowner associations for homes in a community or condos in a building all depend on trust, mutual agreement and collective unity – similar to the expectations set upon us to achieve improvements and the very foundations for things like community and civilization. Edward Shils writes about common ground rules of respect, understanding and even language as prerequisites to establishing Civility in his book by the same name.
Democracy, however, often exudes everything but civility. At last week’s HOA meeting, the question – and therefore the vote – at hand centered around the decision of whether to purchase and install panels for a solar energy project. The cost was exorbitant, and the savings would take time to materialize. Many owners couldn’t afford the increase in monthly payments. Others, however, felt that supplementing the building’s electrical power systems was necessary and that lower bills in the future would offset the increased costs.
It was a tense and close vote. The man with the megaphone read the name of each owner, asking which direction they intended: “What is your vote?” After he reached the last name, the nays had it. The motion failed, mostly because not everyone was present. Apathy reared its ugly head as only 53% of the owners were in attendance, requiring virtually everyone to vote in favor if the motion was going to pass.
This kind of thing was not new to me. It has made me understand that democracy is best when everyone shows up and understands what is expected of them. It is at its worst and falls to tyranny when participants don’t show up and information is kept to a minimum.
As if that weren’t enough, something strange happened after the vote. Instead of moving on to further business, those in charge urged “dialogue” to convince others to change their vote. I looked on with horror as those who voted in favor began to almost berate and shame the other side into changing their vote. The cards had been laid out on the table and the project was declined – that’s democracy. Instead, owners revealed that they weren’t interested in democracy so much as they were interested in tyranny. They were going to get their way. They debased themselves into coercing those on the opposing side to change their minds. They replaced their desire for “discussion” with the need to achieve success at all cost. They used guilty phrases like “we are a community” and the majority here at least agrees to the solar project. Therefore we should pretty much nullify the desires of those who are not in attendance. Or worse, make assumptions about the direction they ought to vote.
Democracy isn’t about saying, “OK, let’s take a vote. And if it doesn’t go our way, we’ll coerce others into agreeing with us. Make them look stupid for how they voted.” Democracy requires its citizens to be present and prepared. It depends on how well you sell your product, policy or decision. They affect us all in unique and personal ways. Make your vote count. But don’t allow others the tyranny of usurpation. In a true democracy, your right stands toe to toe with the biggest bully in the schoolyard. You just have to be prepared for the outcome.
Sanchez is a former Española mayor and an El Rito Media investor.