Elections are right around the corner in the Netherlands and it’s once again time to figure out who to vote for. It’s always been rather easy to figure out who NOT to vote for, since a few parties, like the PVV and the TON, are seriously just too absurd to even consider. Sadly, these absurdist parties are also the most populistic parties, screaming at the top of their lungs what the stupidest common denominator in our country wants to hear. (“All Moroccans back to Turkey!”) Because of that they gain a lot of traction, which is made all the more worrying when plenty of people are generally dissatisfied with the status quo and oftentimes voice their opinion by protest voting for those parties. As a result, I’ve decided that voting is important this year. I have, on occasion decided not to vote – never in national elections, just in the regional and local ones – because, well…I just don’t give a damn about the meso- and micro-governance of this country. (To be honest, I sincerely doubt there’s even need for the meso-administration since the country is so damned small.) In order to educate myself, I stumble upon the Digital Freedom Compass (de Digitale Vrijheidswijzer) by way of Karin Spaink‘s website. It seems I’ll be voting D66 this year.
(As an aside; Karin Spaink’s website is by and large a fascinating and informative read into privacy, digital privacy and information awareness. Don’t let the fact that she has a new kitten fool you, her posts are usually on topic!)
