Today's soundtrack:
"Into Your Arms" by Nick Cave
"Sour Times" by Portishead
It's as though the federal party leaders knew I was planning to emigrate. For the fourth time in seven years, we're heading to the polls. Luckily enough for me, I'll be able to vote in the advance polls, as I'll be in Scotland by Election Day (May 2nd, for those keeping score). Those who know me know that I am a political junkie. And we're not talking your average run-of-the-mill-I-like-The-West-Wing-so-now-I-like-politics junkie. Oh no. I'm a CPAC-watching, MP-emailing, hansard-reading junkie. A Canadian federal election is my Superbowl. It's my Stanley Cup (bingo bango bongo). It's my Brier.
By the by, if you caught those last two references, you might be a Canadian.
So I should be thrilled about this election, and yet I'm ambivalent. Not because I don't think there should be an election right now. It's clear that the Government of Canada was in contempt of Parliament regarding Bev Oda and the Jets (also the name of my band). No, I've already decided how I'll be voting and am now focussed on coming up with a good drinking game for the Leaders' Debate.
After I establish residency in Scotland - which will be nearly as soon as we land - I will only be eligible to vote in Canadian elections for 5 more years. That's right. After five years abroad, I'll no longer be allowed to exercise my right of franchise. I'll still be a Canadian citizen, but I won't be allowed to vote.
So what's the big deal, you ask? After all, I'll be applying for residency and eventual citizenship in the UK, right? Just vote in the UK and be done with it. It's still a vote, after all. Does it really matter which country you're casting it in?
Maybe I'll feel different after I've been in Scotland for a while, but as it stands right now the thought of never again being able to vote in a Canadian election is about as devastating as the knowledge that I'll probably only see my family once a year. I remember every vote I've ever cast. I remember how Mom got teary-eyed not when I got my driver's license or graduated high school, but when I cast my first vote.
If Harper wins a majority, he'll probably manage to hold onto power for the full 5 years, which means that this will be my last federal election. It will also probably be good that I'll have beat the rush to get out of Canada. If Ignatieff wins a majority, he'll probably manage to hold onto power for the full 5 years, which means that although this is my last federal election, at least I'll get to see the Liberals back in power. If either the CPC or the Liberals win a minority, chances are I'll be able to vote at least once more from abroad.
So, gentle readers, consider voting ABC (Anything But Conservative) for this poor blogger. Help her to vote in at least one more election, or at the very least allow her to leave the country smiling with the knowledge that the Liberals are back in power.
From someone so big on politics and debate, I would have expected something a little more than vote ABC... Like a reason to vote for a specific party? Really... Your argument is so convincing. Conservatives are evil. Ergo, don't vote for them. All the parties are evil, therefore we shouldn't vote?
ReplyDeleteI know... I'm playing with fire here...
ReplyDeleteOh now Jason, haven't you been watching the news? I thought the rationale for voting ABC was laid out rather brilliantly there. The Bev Oda not-ation (see what I did there), the nondisclosure of how much the jets cost - both of which resulted in contempt of Parliament charges, a first for Canada - and the senior PM advisor Carson who not only funnelled money and projects to his ex-escort girlfriend, but embezzled money from the First Nations. In each case, the PMO was aware of the problem. In each case, the PMO did nothing about it but lie and obfuscate.
ReplyDeleteI won't even touch on the pillaging of the Status of Women. Suffice it to say, we're about 10 years back of where we should be.
If we justified voting out Martin on account of the Sponsorship Scandal, why not Harper? Harper was supposed to bring in a new day of transparency, but the result has been anything but. I'd ask Harper this directly, but unlike the other federal party leaders, Harper is only answering 5 questions per day from national media, and all questions from the public at large are carefully screened and selected. Harper is looking less like a PM and more like a Dear Leader every day.
In short, Harper has lived up to exactly none of his promises or potential.
Haha no doubt. But I hardly trust Ignatieff to do anything for the good of the country or voting populace. Laton is a bumbling idiot, and the idea of voting green just makes me sick. So who do we take? Quite frankly, I'm quite disillusioned with Canadian politics right now. And no, I haven't hardly turned on my TV in the last year.
ReplyDeleteWhy do you trust Harper more than Ignatieff? You're not actually buying into that "he didn't come back for you" smear tactics, are you? That's like saying "geez Kate, it's great you're going to Scotland, but if you ever come back to Canada, don't even think of running for public office because we'll all know it's world domination you're really after". That's just ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteEver heard Ignatieff speak? http://archives.cbc.ca/politics/parties_leaders/topics/3589/
Seriously. Listen to the man. He knows what he's talking about. And I'm not even a real Grit supporter!