With all the hullabaloo over the US election, it's easy to forget that just a few short days ago PM Steven Harper dropped the writ and called for an election this October.
A year ahead of schedule, at a time where we are all rubbernecking and scratching our heads over the antics south of the border and forget about the subtleties or our own government.
For those of you unfamiliar with the parliamentary system, we have a minority government in power right now, which makes the lazy liberals among us feel comfortable that the increasingly social conservatives won't get away with passing any heinous legislation.
The prime minister has been very good and making sure his more Capital C conservative members keep a low profile and not use anathematic turns of phrase like "This is God's mission". In fact, I would say Harper is probably calling the election because it has been three years tightly-managed "nothing too earth-shatteringly offensive" (unless you are an artist or an environmentalist or any form of social justice advocate and they never voted for him anyway) and he wants to gamble on a majority.
Also, that economic downturn is creeping north like so much smog - it's ravaging our manufacturing sector - and creeping into other sectors in short order. I think he wants to batten down the house with plastic sheeting and plywood before the economic shit storm really hits.
At least, that's the way that I sees it.
Manoman, I have a lot more to say about the US election. I am in knots over the idea that the old "I could have him/her over for a cuppa coffee" / one-issue voters are going to take the day again and I just can't stomach it.
But more on that later.
In the meantime, Here is a repeat of my "Dear Person About To Vote" Entry from 4 (?!) years ago:
I want my head of government to protect me from the powerful.
I don’t want a leader who attracts the type of zealots who would engage in treachery to win and then cries conspiracy instead of condemning them.
I want my heads of gov't to be smarter and better-informed than I am. I could care less whether I could sit down for a cuppa coffee with them.
I want a leader who is impassioned by the concept of public service and has proven that in his/her career.
I want a leader who makes me think. Who encourages questioning.
I want my leader to think ahead, to use wisdom and restraint even when I want immediate gratification or revenge.
I want a leader who differentiates between wisdom and certainty. Who understands that sometimes changing your mind is proof that you have one.
