Last year, Project Democracy was an utter failure. The resolution on cell phone use was passed by the students who voted, but was ignored by the school administrators. This year, we’re dealing with a different issue. This year’s Project Democracy question reads as if it was written by Charlie Brown. I doubt I have ever heard a more ambiguous string of words. They could mean nothing, or they could mean anything: “Should student government have more responsibility in supporting classes and other student organizations?”

We’re stuck with such an undefined issue because every other issue proposed by students was rejected by the administration. Before even voting, the process is corrupt. There’s no democracy when the only issues allowed are those where either outcome is favored by the government. This is a common trick for parents to use on small children because it gives an illusion of choice. It’s saying, “I’m putting this decision in your hands. Would you rather have asparagus or broccoli?”



So what’s the purpose of Project Democracy in Hopewell Valley? According to the district website on the program, the purpose is “teaching our youth the importance of voting and helping them develop a lifelong habit of citizen participation.” But the program doesn’t emulate the democratic process or teach anyone the value of a vote. and has not so far succeeded in getting even a third of the student population to vote.

Our “democracy” contains an unelected electoral college of one with no checks or balances, and the popular vote has no consequence. Truly, it doesn’t matter how many students vote or how they vote on the question. No matter the outcome of the voting process, the same thing will happen: if the administration wants it to be voted up by the students, it will be approved; if the administration is opposed to the issue, it will not succeed regardless of the votes.

What is this teaching students? It promotes the idea that democracy doesn’t work. It encourages an apathetic stance towards the voting process and any possible outcome of that vote. Clearly, it’s not only the fault of the administration only. The student government has also had a hand in crippling this program.

The solution to this floundering program is for the school administration and student government need to meet on level ground. In the American governmental system, Congress and the president have multiple checks against each other that make them equal branches of government. If the school intends to have a program that emulates democratic government, everyone involved needs to treat the program like a democracy. Ideally, no one should have absolute veto power over the question and the two parties should work together for the benefit of the school community. Maybe then a majority would be voting.

In the end, the necessary virtue to save Project Democracy from further travesty is respect. The students and the administration need to respect each other and they need to respect the program and process. Respect will foster commitment and participation, and will help accomplish the true purpose of Project Democracy. If we can not respect the program, it is doomed to create disinterested nonvoters who feel abandoned to insignificance by their government.