Pledge to vote!

I am voting. It is my democratic right. As a woman, there are many countries in which I could not exercise my vote, or I would suffer bribery, or mortal harm.

That said, at least we are talking about it. But the various choices are scary. One of the choices is party leader, Stephen Harper.
'Stephen Harper has consistently chosen to put his fetish for power and control ahead of fundamental constitutional principles. He has even chosen to lie about the Constitution.'


Then there are journalists heavily lobbying for or against:


READ ’5 REASONS NOT TO VOTE FOR STEPHEN HARPER’
My take on this:
1. Harper lies. No question. (Don't most of them?)
2. He doesn't hang with the best of characters. 
3. He sets back the women's movement 45 years. 


4. He is sending us the way of the American Tea party...


He is onside with Charles H. McVety, who is against same-sex marriage choices, and seems to be Tea Party North.
5. Harper and his government are in contempt of parliament, to what end? A conservative majority? Spending $300 million on an unnecessary election, since he wouldn't compromise on a budget that serves the people, not the upper class. Harper and his cronies made our precious census, the statistics that stand up for the poor, the underserved in our society, the working classes, those living on the edge of society.
5. Harper takes from the poor, cuts business taxes, and gives to the middle class (eventually - 2015?) and protects big business.
6. Harper has filled the prisons with those who are mentally ill, and suffering from addictions. Crowded prisons (I volunteered in one teaching a creative writing class) breed serious convicts. The policy of rehabilitating is impossible for those prisoners who we might be able to reach. Treatments are overwhelmed by those who are stuffed in prisons too small to accomodate their numbers.


But the other side of the story...
READ ‘5 REASONS NOT TO VOTE FOR MICHAEL IGNATIEFF’


I have to stop here...with 5 main parties, there are reasons for disagreeing with them on on various issues. Surely these politicians can work together to create a working, functional parliament?

Poster by one of my Gr. 8's, 2006

While this election is ridiculous, a message must be sent across to those who would gamble with our money, essentially with the $300 million this election will cost us. Harper gambles his minority, and the privilege and power that he won, with a majority,  with our economy and the direction this country is taking. I think I will be voting strategically.

I am so very angry with the finger pointing and the recriminations. The attack ads are abhorrent. The games they play must stop. The media spend time arguing points,
e.g., by Andrew Potter


The CBC has been taking a lot of criticism for its Vote Compass, an online quiz that asks you questions about where you stand on various questions of public policy, and then tells you which party you should vote for. 


Then there is Glen McGregor

Sun Media ignored Flanagan on VoteCompass prof's objectivity

Debating the name-calling, blaming by the Conservatives, while explaining a debating point not moot to the election issues.

Nearly $300 m.!

We need a balanced plan for this country. We have been much less hard hit by the recession than other countries. We have to ensure that small towns, like those in southern Ontario who are being hit by American head office decisions to close local plants, survive the US's recession. (Cornwall's recent 400 job losses, Smith's Falls loss  from Hershey's plant closures, Stanley Tools, Rideau Regional Centre).

We need politicians who respect the people; those who work for hourly wages, who suport failing family members, the working poor, as well as those who shoulder the responsibility of being employers, or caregivers.
We need to look after those unable to look after themselves. The animals, the environment. This country isn't broken, but it is bruised.We must show politicians that we are watching them, and we are not pleased.

Yes, I am voting. Probably strategic voting in my riding. Read, research, check out your local candidates.

*McVety is with Defend Marriage Coalition, a lobby group seeking to repeal the Civil Marriage Act (also called Bill C-38), the 2005 federal law legalizing same-sex marriage in Canada. A common theme of news coverage of McVety is the degree of his influence and that of his evangelical colleagues over Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Conservative government generally.

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