Blindsided.

What the hell is going on in our country tonight?  So incredibly confusing, so little time to react.  Not to sound too conspiracy theory, but this is exactly what Naomi Klein talks about in her new book – extreme events (political, environmental) and the vulnerability of countries to undergo massive political/economic choices for the lucrative benefit of a very small group of people.

Who knows if Harper was acting like a baby and arrogantly hiding his crucially needed (yet reportedly insufficient) economic plans until February, especially in a concerning time.  Or maybe it was three other babies that tried to push a constitutional loophole and get their time in the sun for the next few years.  And do this in a way that feels so coup-like and undemocratic.  Their arguments sound convincing for a few moments, but it still supercedes our democratic process.  It is technically constitutional but I keep hearing this is a major gray area in the constitution.  We also live in an archaic democratic structure, so perhaps we should work on electoral or constitutional reform before we stage an uprising two months after an election.  Right?

Wasn’t our GDP up by 0.3% this past month?  Are we being lied to when we’re told we’re in good shape amongst the G8? The US’ downturn should obviously be the canary for Canada, but wouldn’t this situation be greatly improved if action was forced on the Conservatives?  Are they that impenetrable?  They reinstated public funding for the parties and upped the budget date by a bit?

Already over 3000 comments on one CBC article, that’s not too bad given our dismal voter turnout.  Not to mention a major drop in the TSX and another $300 million with likely election #2?

This will be an interesting week, hope you’re ready guvnah.

Why I’m voting Green.

You’re judging already aren’t you.  I probably would too, and then subsequently think I’m a spacy, anti-establishment, granola cruncher.  Most of that is true too, but hey, I’m allowed to have my ideals.

Really this isn’t an active choice, more of a process of elimination.  So here we go:

Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party – first of all, misnomer.   Try Alliance Reform we like Ross Perot party.  I kid, no name calling necessary.  They simply don’t align with my values, straight up.  Proponents of private health care, irresponsibly accelerated rates of oil extraction in the Tar Sands, cuts to the arts, and have less foresight than Sarah Palin’s pitbull/lipstick joke.  Not to mention his Bush-like refusals to have meaningful conversations with the media for the past few years.  And oh yeah, where’s your bloody platform?  Don’t worry, I know it’s not under your sweater.

Stephane Dion and the Liberal Party – Stephane, I like you enough, really I do.  But it’s because I really want to like you and I’m trying my damndest to like you.  You’re making it bloody difficult.  I want you to show us the fierce strong guy that brought us the Clarity Act.  But now you rely on your “team” of Bob fucking Rae and all the guys that couldn’t beat you in the leadership convention?!?  Come on.  This team now fully means that you and everyone else believe that you can’t lead on your own.  You seem like a great guy, and I even don’t mind your Green Shift plan, but you’re just not the right person to take on Mr. Harper and take back the country to the Canadian Redbook middle.  I want Ignatieff, and quick.

Jack Layton and the NDP – JACK.  You were my guy!  We were all tight, I talked to you on the Danforth about water quality and your trip to Gros Morne and your trip with Olivia to the caves!  Your numbers are increasing in the polls, and I am happy for you.  Overall, you’re fighting a good fight, you’re just not going to get my vote while I live here in Montreal, QC.  You want to know why?  Because I’m getting worried that this “integrity” you preach is bullshit.  You are selling out Anglophone Quebecers by supporting Bill 101 in order to gain more Francophone votes.  Among many other things, Bill 101 helps strengthen the use of the French language in Quebec, implicity discouraging anglophones from moving and residing in Quebec.  Although I can see where this bill is coming from (in a separatist kind of way), as an English speaker in Montreal (and trying my damndest to learn your impossible dialect), my life here would be much more difficult if 101 was fully implemented.  Thus I can’t support you this time.  And after witnessing you dodging too many questions, spinning answers like a typical untrustworthy politician, your cap and trade climate change solution, and being vehemently pro-union, I’m wondering about my future support.

Elizabeth May and the Greens – Well missy May.  Sorry, Mz. May.  You got my vote, I want to ride your bandwagon.  Or should I say Via trainwagon.  I secretly want to think your cross Canada tour on the train was exactly like Festival Express.  Please tell me you’re Janis.  Anyway, this is a woman that not only impressed me but many other Canadians in the televised national debate.  She supports the OECD recommended income tax cut/carbon tax plan, even supported by neo-con idols (read: head economists).  For me, she offers answers with honesty, integrity, and foresight.  This is what I see lacking in virtually all parties.  Stephen Harper’s eyes cannot see past 4 years into the future, as do most politicians.  The economy will always take some sort of hit when shifting to more environmental policies, but this impact won’t be far reaching, especially if the country invests intelligently in developing green energy and related industries. Quick tip boys and girls – do you know where oil comes from?  how about those precious automobiles and the rest of the manufacturing sector?  Even the computers you’re typing on?  Yes, it all comes from the EARTH.  Having weak environmental policy is having weak long term economic policy, plain and simple.  Do we want to be a short term thinking kind of society?  We are way smarter than that.  We can only go on ignoring weak environmental policy for so long.  Let’s actually be proactive here.  You know what reactive politics gets you?  THIS.  I could rant forever, but Elizabeth May believes in fostering local food production (a huge issue for me), punishing polluters, investing in national rail, and getting troops out of Afghanistan in a respectable period of time.  Sign me up.

The awesome and hilarious irony of this overly long post is that yours truly, a left wing anglophone living in Montreal resides in a little riding called Laurier-Sainte Marie.  Do you know who has been running in this riding the past decade or so?

Isn’t irony a bitch?  Gilles, you’re a good guy, and I hear this is your last campaign.  I’m glad this is the last time an anglophone’s vote won’t count in your lovely riding.   Allez Vert!