So, Canada had an election last week. Who knew?! Okay, well, I did, but not because of the news. Here in the Southern US they are, as far as I can tell, unaware that Canada exists. Well, they know it exists but sort of as a wee little country far, far away with funny money. Jon Stewart (am I the only one who gets all of their news from the Daily Show?) talked about the Canadian election the other day and he pointed out that the Conservative Party won again but seeing as how we Canadians are sooo liberal compared to the Americans that voting for the Conservatives in Canada is akin to voting for "Gay Nader Fans for Peace" here in the US. Awesome.
The election down here is seriously tearing people apart and I sort of understand that because I'm finding it hard to separate people's political leanings from their personality. When an acquaintance of mine found out that I was an Obama fan she literally gasped and whispered 'but he's a Muslim!' I really like this this woman but I've found that since she said this my feelings for her are somewhat diminished. I don't like that I can't separate my feelings about her and about her politics, but I am having trouble.
I've noticed that so many of the feelings people have, either good or bad about either party, are based on lies or propaganda or rumor and that's not right. I heard something the other day that I thought was really spot-on; 'vote your hopes, not your fears'. I guess that's my wish for every voter in this country and in Canada and everywhere else too; vote for what you envision your country can be and for the leader who can make that happen.
4 comments:
Turns out most people here didn't know there was an election either - only 59.1% of people voted which is the lowest turnout ever. tsk tsk.
Reba
What is it that you like about Obama that isn't based on propoganda or rumor?
Chris
Wow, Reba, I didn't know that! That is very sad.
And Chris, there are numerous things I like about Obama, in part I am just much closer to Democrat than Republican so I would like him, in part, just because he is a Democrat.
I also like the fact that he is not another middle-aged to elderly Caucasian man with decades of government experience; we have PLENTY of that and I think that something different would be good since the same isn't working so well anymore.
I also REALLY like his ideas for reforming health care.
I also would vote for nearly anyone who was not Sarah Palin as I find her ideas on women's and animal's 'rights' abhorrent.
That's what I think of off the top of my head...granted much of it is voting 'against McCain' instead of 'for Obama' but to me that's a moot point.
Matt posited that the voter turnout was so low due to burnout. That's the fourth federal election we've had in 6 years. Or maybe it was 6th in 8 years. Anyway - too many flippin' elections where nothing is any different and politicians spend millions of dollars for no reason.
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