I love my country. But. I believe in Jesus more than some arbitrary imaginary border. This doesn't take away from my pride in my laid back nation and my thankfulness at being born here. I feel lucky. I'm Canadian. It's not perfect but I don't want to belong anywhere else.
Today is voting day in Ontario. You know what? I hate voting. Hate it. I don't have any kind of trust for any of the people available for being voted on. They all say nasty things about each other. It's so Grade 5. Get along, kids. Geez.
I always have this sinking feeling that no matter who I vote for, nothing will change. It'll be the same old wailing less than a year later. He broke his promises. She is two faced and can't be trusted. Our healthcare/justice/financial system is a mess and it's all Whatsisface's fault.
But I go do my democratic duty every time out, and I go place my vote. Never in my adult life have I marked a ballot feeling like I've done the right thing. I sometimes feel like I'm aiming a dart in the dark.
I do it though, because I like being Canadian and I like having the choice. Even if I feel like there is no choice, I still have it. I don't want to lose that privilege.
Today we are voting not just on a representative but on a new system. Up until now, we vote for our local politician and that vote decides who we get provincially. I could be wrong about this, okay? I tend to get crawly skin and a faint buzzing in my ears when the topic of politics comes up. Anyways. We now have the choice to vote on a new system where we pick the guy we want (the candidate), and then, a vote for a particular party. We could vote for a guy in the Yellow Party to represent our area, but cast a vote for the Purple Party to have one of their people on a list get a seat. This sounds good to me. I might think the Purple Party is better for the province but I like Ms Yellow Party for my neighbourhood. The argument against this system is that you end up with representatives in government who were not voted for individually and don't represent anybody.
I'm getting dizzy and wish I had a barn to clean out instead. Why am I talking about this???? I don't even think I know exactly what I'm talking about.
Because Canada has dismal abysmal voter turnout. We have soldiers in the desert trying to convince people to go all democratic about it and look what's going on here. It's pathetic.
I vote for Jesus.
What? Oh.
Anyways. I feel like no matter what, we don't get what we vote for. In our riding we've had high-ranking politicians moved to the area by the party, into a rented house, and given a whole new happy shiny life full of photo ops and grocery shopping trips. How does this person represent my neighbourhood?
Yeeeeesh. I have to go scratch my back. And then I have to go vote. Whether I like it or not. Because I want to continue to be able to choose people I don't know and may or may not trust, because it's better than having no choice at all. Yee haw.
After that, I've got a couple of horses to ride. I'll need it.
18 comments:
I voted!
I did my rock and roll duty!
I voted for....
THE SECOND ONE!
Hmm...The second one...
KC and I have been talking about this very same thing. I like that the Liberals have given us free insulin pumps, and more nurses. I hate what they want to do to the 'Religious' schools. I don't say that because my kids go to Catholic schools. Once upon a time, they went to public school. I say this because I want the choice, and I believe that we should all have that choice.
I hate the commercials that you see on TV. All they do is bash each other and no one wants to discuss the real issues. Geez.
They all lie. We know this. Move on, tell us the issues.
I will be heading out later, to look for my place to vote (I have no idea where it is, it better be close, cuz I don't have bus fare..Just thought of that) and I'll do my best to do my duty to God, the Queen, and my country...Oops. That was my brownie oath.
Same shit.
Oh man, the religious schools issue. I didn't even get into that. Hey man, religion and politics in one discussion, oh yay. cough cough.
On one hand, I'd love it if I could send my kids to the Mennonite high school for free. They'd get a good education, small classrooms, and an awesome music program. Plus a little bit of background and history from their mother's side of the family. BUT I believe that the government should stay the heck out of our churches.
I have to agree with you though Biddie, I'd love it if we had that choice. My Girl wants to go to Rockway and my mom even said she'd let her move in with them if she could get a bus from the farm to the school! I told her she's nuts but she put the offer out. Even with help from our church we can't afford the tuition so it's not gonna happen...
Gah. Religion and politics. My couch smells like a dog. I gotta go. Seeya.
Just like us... We don't vote for the best person for the job, we vote for the "lesser of two evils"...
The government SHOULD stay outta our churches. That's what pisses me off. I hate the thought of anyone else making that choice for me.
If you would just move back here, The Girl could go to her school, I would have mu best friends back, and life would be good.
Sigh.......If I had 2 million dollars, I would give you half. That way, we would BOTH be living happily ever after. In the same county.
The IMPORTANT thing is you voted. In my country the Liberal Socialist scare the ever loving shit out of me. But your are right! Politicians say what their audience, at the time, wants to hear. I have lost all respect for them and had rather watch golf on television than one of THEM.
We had, like FIVE choices! I mean, it's great, but lesser of 5 evils?
Bid, I just got told by my father in law that we'd be
f%#$ing crazy to sell this house. His words. About three times with variable swear words.
Gah.
whoever you vote for nothing will change? Course it will. It'll get bleedin' worse if it's owt like over here.
Your Father in Law said crazy like it's a bad thing!
On the bright side, you aren't voting in BC where there's a scandal wvery five minutes. I mean, really, our premier got busted for DUI while he was the premier and he's still in office. I think ou premier before that was charged with fraud or conflict of interest or some damn thing. And all that's before we start talking about politics! But vote we do. You're right. What's the alternative?
4D- every time I talk to my father in law- which is quite a bit today, since they're staying with us for a few days- he gets going on politics and socialism and why he left England. Not necessarily in that order...
Cindy- I know! What's he thinkin eh? He likes our new gate though!
Rain you raise a very good point. BC has had it's share...although out here we do have Belinda and she's been very entertaining!
I hate voting too. It's so annoying and mindless. Nothing ever changes and Pot is still illegal. It's infuriating.
Screw the politicians, I place all my trust in Corky. ;)
I completely understand your misery. I vote because it's my duty, but the last couple of years, I've had to close my eyes, hold my nose and pull the lever for the lesser of the evils. I hate that I feel that way, and hate that nothing ever seems to change. And I hate all the loud mouth political pundits who do nothing but polarize my country on the issues.
That's IT! I'll vote for Captain Corky!!!!!
Hulagirl, I often think about which is worse; the American system where you only get two choices, or the Canadian system where, at this election, we had five choices. I agree with you though, the worst is the loudmouthery that goes on.
The only person who had commercials that didn't bash the other candidates was Dalton McGuinty. He said openly about his plans/lies and he commented on what he had already done for the province. I don't agree with what they want to do with the Catholic schools but the conservatives scare me. Remember the Mike Harris days or as the gov't employees refer to as the Dark Harris days?
I definately do not want that again. Ever.
This was the first year that I voted and I really believe that if you don't vote then you can't comment on what is going on in the province because you didn't stand up and make a choice.
Oh and hey what is up with your area and the green party? When I was watching the news last night and the speeches your area had a lot of votes for the green party. Spencer is convinced that it has something to do with pot.
Well KC if I'd watch TV I'd know what you were talking about! I have no idea what's going on with the Green Party up here. I think I might have voted for the Purple Party. Which one was third on the list? Or was it second?
Seriously, I totally agree with you about voting. You don't vote, you cannot complain.
I'm so glad you stepped up and made your choice!
I don't think ol Dalton there conducts himself in a terrible way but apparently he's broken all his promises. I don't see why this is so shocking seeing as how THEY ALL DO.
"Plans/ lies" that's great! Way to call it, kid!!
Well in any case, Dalton gets another go at it.
Has anybody noticed what awesome soap opera names Canadian politicians have?
Dalton McGuinty
Preston Manning
Stockwell Day
Pierre Trudeau
Jack Layton
Stephane Dion
They could be the nefarious perfume empire magnates, or something.
oh and let's not forget
RALPH KLEIN
He'd be the slovely neighbour with a stereotypical accent.
I love names.
I love the way that Jack Layton talks to the youth about voting. He is awesome. Too bad he didn't win my vote.
Like you, I don't understand why everyone is so shocked when politicians break their promises.
I also look at it this way, they are only in power for a few years and there is only so much you can do in a few years. Plus, think of how long it takes laws to pass and everything that goes on, it is a really long process because they have to vote on everything not once,but twice and in some cases three times. It's a ridiculously long process.
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