Dumitrache.net

As a Romanian citizen who recently turned 18, I voted for the first time. I heard many people saying that they will refuse to make use of this basic right guaranteed by The Constitution because of their disgust for the entire political class. This is somewhat easy to understand taking into consideration the various leaders that we had, who took stealing and disrespect as qualities of an upper standard but is this really the right choice to make?

This morning, I went to the voting center in the hope that I will be able to make a change, diregarding the images of former politicians that were playing in my head. I chose to make use of my fundemental right because, twenty years ago, in the communist Romania, such an act of pure democracy and power of the people was not possible. People (many of my age) died at that Revolution and as much as I want to emigrate and head for another country where I might have a better life, I can’t help feeling somewhat attached to this place, a country that many years ago had power and pride but which is today haunted by corruption, stupidity, direspect and incompetence.

Years and years of hard communism have turned Romania into what it is today. The key words of the regime were fear, division, betrayal and lie which changed the mentality of many Romanians. Now the dictator’s gone. The electricity is constantly flowing into our homes, there are supplies in the stores and we even have warm water now and then, but it still seems as cold as in the stories that I hear about the old regime and the good music, which no longer enjoys the priviledge of being forbidden is being replaced by products of pure stupidity.

After the communism fell, some former communist politicians made their way into modern “democracy” what we’re presumably having now. Today I voted for a change. I voted a liberal president, a president who, despite being part of a party that has lost its former strength has managed to touch the hearts of many Romanians that are tired of the old ways. I voted a person that did not bribe anyone with free meals, money or other presents to assure his seat in the presidential palace, a president whose campaign banners were constantly being taken down off my building to make room for other, more important candidates.

Unfortunately, the communist way is still deeply rooted into the minds of many Romanians, particularly old people. For many communists, a vote is worth roughly 12EURO. They “sell” their right to make a choice so that others will make the “right” choice for them. People are uncaring and will vote for anyone who will provide a good price, a good present. This does not have to be in the form of bribe. These are the same people that live off social aids and expect the state to give them what they need, instead of working for the right of getting it themselves. I am not good at politics but I am pretty sure that’s not the way to get out of a severe economic crysis. No, we must work, we must encourage competition. This is capitalism.

I voted for the first time and I voted with hope and pleasure. I voted for Crin Antonescu, who, according to the latest, pre-election polls, was second in the race for the president with a high chance of entering the second round. Right after I got out of the voting center, with hope in my soul, I encountered a large group of old people who were complimenting themseleves on the street for making the right decision, for voting with the social democrats and that’s when I realized that the majority of the people who vote, are old people.

A few hours ago, the estimated results came in. As expected, we are going to be “communists” for 5 more years.We will be run by a bunch of people who will, once again, take advantage of the poverty in which many old people live, people who are attracted by promises of higher social aids.

There were frauds in the voting process, some insanely obvious. Many were reported, announced on TV, but not much can be done now. I have lost all hope that this country will reach its former glory in the near future. Communism, indeed, leaves deep prints.