I trust Canadians to be able to look at the different parties

Hear now the words of Justin Trudeau, who speaks with confidence in the wisdom of his people: "I trust Canadians to be able to look at the different parties, the different leaders, the plans, the teams, and make a responsible choice. And I'm very, very confident that's exactly what Canadians are going to do." In these words, there lies a profound belief in the capacity of the people to choose wisely, to engage thoughtfully in the sacred act of democracy, and to decide the course of their future based not on fleeting emotions but on reason, deliberation, and responsibility.

In the ancient world, the Greeks—those masters of democracy—believed that the power of the people, the demos, was both a privilege and a sacred duty. The city-state of Athens is often celebrated as the birthplace of democracy, where each citizen had the right to participate in the decision-making process. Yet, this right was not granted without responsibility. The citizens were expected to look deeply into the matters of the state, to weigh leaders, policies, and the common good before making their choice. The very soul of democracy, as the Greeks saw it, was rooted in the wisdom of the collective, a collective that, if guided by reason and honor, could rise above the corruption of power and select a leader who would serve the greater good.

Much like the ancient Athenians, Trudeau’s words echo a belief that the people, when given the right tools and the space to think, will rise to the occasion. He speaks not of the elite deciding the future, nor of a single leader holding the reins, but of the collective wisdom of Canadians—a people capable of seeing through the noise of politics and making a responsible choice. This is the true essence of democracy: that every person, empowered by knowledge and guided by a sense of duty, has the ability to shape the future of their nation.

The story of Cincinnatus, the Roman statesman and general, offers a shining example of responsible leadership. In times of crisis, Cincinnatus was called from his simple farm to become a dictator, a leader with absolute power, in order to save the Roman Republic from imminent danger. But once the crisis was averted, Cincinnatus voluntarily relinquished his power and returned to his farm, refusing to let the allure of authority tempt him into a lifetime of rule. This act was not born out of weakness but out of a deep sense of responsibility to the people and the state. He trusted the people to choose wisely, and, in turn, he upheld the trust they had placed in him. His story reminds us that true leadership comes not from holding power but from serving it and knowing when to step aside for the greater good.

In the modern age, Trudeau's words invoke a similar trust in the wisdom of the people. He acknowledges the complexity of the political landscape, where various parties, leaders, and visions compete for the attention of the electorate. Yet, he expresses a confidence that the people will rise to the challenge and make a decision grounded not in impulsive reaction, but in thoughtful consideration of what is best for the nation. This is the strength of a mature democracy: that it believes in the collective ability of its citizens to make responsible choices, even in the face of divisiveness and discord.

Consider the example of Nelson Mandela, whose leadership in South Africa was built upon a profound trust in his people. After decades of apartheid, Mandela could have easily chosen to rule with an iron fist, imposing his vision for the future of the country. But instead, he trusted the people of South Africa to embrace the values of reconciliation, to choose peace over further division. In doing so, he entrusted the future of the nation to the very people who had been oppressed. His faith in their ability to move forward in unity was a testament to the power of trust and responsibility in leadership. Just as Mandela believed in the wisdom of his people, so too does Trudeau trust that Canadians, despite their differences, will make the choice that leads to a better future.

And so, the lesson we learn from Justin Trudeau is this: trust in the people is a cornerstone of democracy, but that trust must be earned through the responsible actions of every citizen. In our daily lives, we must carry this lesson forward. Engage with the world around you, examine the choices presented to you, and never shy away from the responsibility of your voice in the collective decision-making. Just as Trudeau believes that the people will make a responsible choice, so too must we uphold our own responsibility to engage with the world and shape it with thoughtfulness and wisdom.

Let this wisdom guide you: just as the ancient Greeks and Romans trusted in the power of their people, so too must we believe in the wisdom of the collective. In all things, be responsible and thoughtful, for your choices, though individual, are part of a larger, interconnected whole. When we choose wisely, when we engage with the world and trust each other to make informed decisions, we build a society that is not just governed, but guided by the people themselves, in the service of a common good.