Election Day - Finally!!!!!

Finally! Election day is upon us and it couldn't come soon enough. Although the results have yet to be completely tallied and reported I'm not expecting any outrageous surprises. Although I think outrageous surprises would be interesting and in a way needed.

The topic I was hoping to touch on since my last blog was what makes a good leader. I read something recently in a newspaper and sadly I can not remember which one or who wrote the article but they did lightly touch on what makes a good leader. I do however remember my unabashed hysterical laughter as to what little they actually believed made good leadership.

When we're talking about the leadership of a country representing millions of people, whether or not they all voted for the elected leader, I believe there needs to be a certain standard. For instance, many of us take into consideration, the leaders experience, not only as a leader in a job situation, but how much political experience have they had previously. Now there may be some people who may disagree with me, but I do not see a leader as a dictator, telling people what to do and how to think. I think a good leader will create a good symbiotic team who will be able to lean not only on one another but actually be able to cross party lines to work out issues. I also do not think a leader should ever (in fact any political incumbent) name call or speak in an accusing or derogatory manner to or about other members. This should be considered common courtesy and regular protocol. A leader should really know what is going on in their country. And by this I mean they need to know all the intricacies that make up the different regions and work on behalf to unite the country. There should be no specific special interest on part of the leader. And because of this I do not believe our leaders should run on a partisan ticket. I do not find it in the interest of any one person in the populace that the leader should somehow not look at the country they are representing as not several different regions but indeed just one.

My Utopian Electoral World
Every election we are promised change, and in fact the entire world needs to see change, especially in they way populations are represented. You know the old saying "if it ain't broke don't fix it" well it is broken and if there isn't enough proof of that yet than just how much more chaos and uncertainty would it have to take to take off the rose coloured glasses.
When people say we need change I don't think we are talking about change on a small scale. That kind of change results in nothing, it usually leads to adding band aid solutions to the bigger problem. In my utopian electoral world there would be no parties. Those elected would in fact have to work together. And not only would they have to work with other regional representatives, it should be mandatory that they in fact reach out and do real charity work within their communities and to do outreach to the people they are representing. There schedules would need to have this built in. Let's not forget, we the taxpayers pay the salaries not only of these elected officials but of all the people who work beneath them. They indeed work for us and it should not only be remembered but their should be consequences made built into this system. People should be running to be a representative not because of all the benefits they receive, but because they truly want to make a difference in the lives of the people of the people they represent and to make this this world the best place to live or want to live.

I'm sure there is much more that I could expand upon here, but as always the ideas are still swirling around in the brain space that is me.

Happy elections results!
lily

The Stephens - you have some 'splaining to do!!!

So I picked up a Metronews this morning after dropping my child off at school and I came across this article, which I thought was pretty funny and so timely.

Here's a little excerpt to bring you up to speed.

What campaign attack ads need is a commentary track, just like the ones that come on DVDs and Blu-Ray discs, except these commentaries would tell you what the people who made the ads are really thinking.

from Metronews, Mike Tennant

Here's the thing - the attack ads are a strategy that Harper actually brought in let's not forget that. They changed the legislations saying that they could do whatever they wanted. Damn to the standards council! But Mike does have a point about the intention behind the ads. However, there is one minor thing he left out. Although they are attacks ads there is always some grain of truth there. The onus is on us the voters to uncover the truth behind those headlines.

It's nice they give us these pointers and these markers to look into, but really whose got the freaking time. Instead, let's forgo all the crap that's coming at us and start looking at those topics that personally effect us. Aside from just looking how things just effect us personally we than need to take into account the bigger picture. For instance, I may not live in Alberta, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't be concerned of all the Multi-National entities coming in and carving up the land and not taking into consideration the environment. Plus all the jobs that go to non-canadians. Which quite frankly I find absolutely hilarious and short sighted on Harpers' part.

Let's not forget the current conservative government is in the midst of making a trade agreement with the European Union which implies that more and more of this will be happening. Let's also not forget Harper has a way of giving corporations many tax breaks. So ultimately if you look down the road, in 20-30 years we will be left with and even huger mess to clean up. Harper is in fact going to sell out Canada, bankrupt the government or worse!! He doesn't have the best interest of working Canadians in mind. As a country we can not survive alone on just importing everything and providing service. It's seriously an unbalanced approach.

Our country CANADA is a great country!! Is worth more than just a little thought about putting an X next to someone's name and making them responsible for our future. CANADIANS need to stand up and make sure our voices are heard at election time and beyond.

The ultimate question should be - What kind of CANADA do you want to live in?????

A new revelation! HA!

So last night for some unknown reason I started to think back to when this election was called and why. Just exactly why are we having this election right now?????? And than I remembered ....... oh yeah it's because Harper said parliament was dysfunctional. Yeah that's right dysfunctional! So than I started thinking what would make parliament not dysfunctional? Which brought me back to leadership. Yup, leadership.

A good leader works with what he has. If they are truly a good leader than their leadership qualities would transcend and make right what is dysfunctional. And to truly make it functional would mean to work with all the strengths within the personalities that is set before you. So that brings me to this my final question.

Is Stephen Harper really leadership material, when he must disband parliament in order to make it work for him. Who's he really looking out for?

P.S. Ok I just want to mention or better yet add .......... that by working with the personalities set before you I mean to cross party lines and to get the entire government working together. I am by no means suggesting he rely soley on his own Conservative members whom seem to continually F*** things up!

Imagine ....... the members of parliament working together to make this a better country together. Hmmmm.... sounds like cooperation. Maybe it's just a pipe dream of mine!!!

Promises, Promises, Promises

Well it didn't take long for the election propaganda to start. Not long at all. However let's keep in mind this election campaign is very short and it's important enough to actually ignore all this crap and do some digging. It doesn't matter what these guys say or the promises they make. It's time to cut to the quick and look at past performance and records not only for the leaders involved but also in the ridings and for the particular parties.

The fact is Canada is in an economic slow down........ yes, a recession and truth be told things aren't looking good. Let me remind everyone. You can hire as many analysts and publicists as you want. The story will always be the same, it will be spinned to give the most uplifting message possible, ignoring the true facts. So here's the challenge, start looking around, poke around things that might for the most part notinterest you and start putting all those puzzle pieces together to see the larger perspective.

It is the government's pipe dream to think the implosion of the US economic situation will not effect ours. Keep in mind NAFTA, keep in mind that we have more foreign companies in Canada than ever before, and yes it will trickle down. Let me remind you that Stephen Harper wants fewer regulations and wants to relax foreign investment pitfalls to bring in more foreign investors. What do you honestly think that will mean for Canada down the line. If Harper has his way he will be carving up and selling off Canada in pieces. I don't know about you but is that the kind of country you want to live in. It may be I'm slightly over reacting and you may think I have a hate on for Harper, but when it comes right down to it, with his my way attitude, do you really trust him to have all of Canada's best interest at heart.

Remember above all things, that your choice does ultimately send a message as to the kind of country you want to live in.
I will not kid you that the leaders we have to choose from are any good choice. I will not kid you that the way our electoral system is set-up is a true reflection of how the people would truly like to vote. Personally, I would like to be able to vote for our leader separately from the person who I would like to see represent my riding, but I would also like to get rid of partisan politics too. I definitely will not hold my breath on the last one. However, I do believe if people could vote for a leader separately from the ruling party you might be surprised at the results. Ultimately it would be nice to know that these people are here to work on behalf of the people of Canada, to represent our best interests, here at home and abroad.

So as for all the polls and constant barrage of bull puckey, remember the challenge and do some digging. Hearsay is just hearsay go with your own informed choice.