It's Election Season....Yawn!

The last time I was excited for an election was in 1986 when I was running for President of my high school, which I won by the way. I didn’t make any crazy promises that I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep. Instead I just promised to try and make school a more fun place to be, and I think I accomplished that with more school functions, spirit weeks, pep rallies and dances. Plus we tried to have a positive impact on the community and the world around us.

One of my happier moments came during the Rick Hansen “Man in Motion” tour when we quickly raised several thousand dollars and I was able to present the cheque to Rick as he came rolling by the school. At Christmas I dressed as Santa and visited lots of kids at many of the local Elementary schools. I remember at one point one of “Santa’s” white eyebrows came off revealing my brown one underneath without me knowing. A little girl on my lap asked why I had one brown and one white eyebrow. Thinking as quickly as I could I explained that due to the lack of snow on the ground, the reindeer kicked up some mud when we landed and it I didn’t have time to clean it all off. I think she bought the story.

In recent years I just haven’t cared about elections at any level of government because I figure I’m going to get taxed to death regardless and my opinions really don’t matter to politicians. They just say and do what they want anyway once they’ve been elected.

The upcoming local municipal election which should be of interest to me has nothing interesting to offer and to be quite honest, as someone who always votes, I just don’t see the point this time around.

I actually know many of the candidates personally but when you live in a town where those with money control what “really” happens, it seems pointless to cast my ballot. It’s not that I don’t respect these people. I appreciate that they are serving their community and give their time to sit on committees and council to try and effect change for the betterment of our city.

Honestly, I don’t know what I expect from these people but I certainly don’t expect much. At the local level I suppose as long as the infrastructure like roads and sewers are being upgraded and I can see or know that some positive work is being done, that’s all I can ask for. Of course, the street I live on has been desperately in need of resurfacing and new sewers for many years. I had been told the work would be done this summer but it never happened. I have since been told that it will now be done in 2011. We shall see.

On the Provincial level I don’t have a clue who I’ll vote for next year. One thing is for sure, it won’t be for the Liberals as Dalton “Pinocchio” McGuinty has got to go. I’m ashamed to admit that I actually voted for the Liberals the last time. When McSquinty campaigned and promised to not raise taxes if elected and then once elected the first thing he did was raise taxes…he angered a lot of people.

The guy I feel sorry for is the local MPP (Member of Provincial Parliament) who I actually know and like and would support again but by voting for him I’d be voting for McTaxy and I refuse to do it. So I will be voting in that election but I’ll be casting my vote for anyone but the Liberal party. Sadly the alternatives are limited there.

The alternatives at the Federal level are even more limited. Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party still seem to be the lesser of three evils. I don’t live in Quebec or I’d say four evils with the addition of the Bloc Party.

The Liberal Party is being led by a guy with about as much charisma as a stick. In fact he makes Prime Minister Harper look like a party animal. Add to the fact that he seems shady and untrustworthy and it’s not hard to see why the Conservatives should feel pretty comfy once the next election call takes place. As for the NDP’s, do they even have official party status anymore?

When it comes right down to elections, you’re damned if you do and you’re damned if you don’t vote. I always say, if you don’t vote then you don’t have a right to complain and if there’s one thing I like to do, it’s complain. So you can bet I’ll be grabbing my voter card and heading to the nearest polling station come Election Day and casting my vote for whoever has angered me the least over the last few years.

Where Have I Been?

I want to apologize to my loyal readers who make it a point to stop by a few times a week just to see what I've been thinking.

I haven't had an update in a while and there's two reasons for that.

1. I have been busy with other stuff in my life.
2. I just haven't had anything to complain or talk about lately.

I could talk about the historic election results south of the border in the United States but if you're like me, you were sick of all the election talk long before Obama was announced as the winner. It's not that I don't recognize the significance of the event. I've just moved beyond it already.

I spent more time on Tuesday night watching the American election coverage than I did the night of our own Canadian election. Honestly...our election is incredibly boring compared to the U.S. election. The Canadian government could learn a lot from the Americans when it comes to getting the people excited about politics.

Lets be honest, our leaders are about as charismatic as a pile of manure. They're like some of the Dwarfs from Snow White.

Lets see...Prime Minister Harper (Conservatives) would be "Borey" for his monotone voice and ability to kill the enthusiasm in all who come in conatact with him.

I'd call Stéphane Dion (Liberals) "Whiney" as his skill and ability to blame everyone else but himself for his parties failures is quite impressive.

Jack Layton (NDP)could only be named "Dorky" because lets face it...he's a dorky looking guy who does a great job of picking on everyone else but can't produce any good problem solving ideas of his own.

Gilles Duceppe (Bloc Québécois) is an easy one..."Snotty". It must be tough trying to run the party for Quebec Nationalists with a 2X4 jammed up your anus all the time. However you can bet that René Lévesque would be proud of the Canada hating jackass. I'd tell him the same thing that I'd tell any immigrants to Canada...if you don't like the way things are done here and you don't want to live by our rules and beliefs...then don't let the airplane door hit you in the butt as you leave to find another country to live in. Actually...I probably wouldn't be that polite.

Finally there's Elizabeth May (Green Party). I won't give her a name since her party is a complete joke any way.

For some reason I just find the American political system more interesting. I realize the Canadian system is all about history as well as it is based on the British system. However, nobody said that was any good either.

Although I didn't support Barrack Obama and his party I don't have anything against the man and I think he'll likely do about as good a job as McCain would have. Lets face it, neither one of them would have had a tough act to follow.

Go McCain & Palin

You know, I'm usually not a very political person...especially when it comes to the politics of the United States.

But when you consider how much the policies and economy of the U.S. effect Canada and the rest of the world for that matter, I can't help but have some interest.

I don't have a vote but if I did it would go for McCain. I think Obama is a nice guy but that hardly qualifies you to be President of the the most powerful nation on the planet. I don't like Hillary Clinton either but there's no way she'd allow herself or the U.S. to be pushed around or bullied. To be quite honest...she's a hard-assed bitch. She was definitely the better choice to run for President but once again her party screwed up and it will likely cost them come election day. Or at least I hope it will cost them.

McCain may be getting on in years but there's a lot of fight and experience in him and he's ready to take his rightful spot in the White House. If you're worried that he might die and Palin would take over...have no fear. Look how long Cheney has lasted.

Another thing that kind of bothers me and I think hurts Obama's chances is when celebrities come out in support of him and do stupid things that only make themselves look like fools and help convince undecided voters to vote for McCain.

One such celebrity is Hayden Panettiere who stars on the television program "Heroes". When a bonehead such as her thinks Obama is the choice and does something like this to show her support...I think I'd be trying to distance myself from it as quickly as possible.

Caution...this video contains foul language. (the F-bomb in particular)

If you say so Hayden....now why don't you go save another dolphin and disappear for a long time.

Could You Repeat That Joe?

I'm not a super political person but I like to keep an eye on what's happening stay informed.

Now that the Canadian Federal election is over and millions of dollars was spent to basically end up with the same results prior to the election, I can spend a bit more time following the final weeks of the United States campaigns.

I've never been a fan of George W. Bush and I don't have any problems revealing that. He is America's biggest embarrassment in modern day history if not longer. I don't blame the Republican Party for everything and I think Bush was unfortunate to be President during a very troubling period of world history. The point is, he wasn't the man for the job that was placed in front of him.

John McCain is NOT Bush and I believe McCain is the best choice to be the next President. He probably could have made a better choice for a running mate but if Sarah Palin did take on the role of Commander and Chief, she couldn't do any worse than Bush. If you can put aside that choice and look objectively at his credentials, he is the most qualified person and has the backbone to not only lead but protect the people of the U.S. As a neighbour and fellow NATO country, I would feel much safer with McCain in power.

Barack Obama is not the man for the job this time around. I think he could be an excellent President one day but he needs more experience before that happens. As for his running mate, Joe Biden had proven in the past he should think before he speaks.

The most glaring example has to be when he recollected his fellow Americans watched FDR on television during the 1929 stock market crash. Of course the Biden family must have been the only one's in the world with a television at that time.

Oh sure, a few blunders here and there isn't a big deal and to be honest, Biden is a better choice than Palin but what fun is it when you can't make fun of politicians and the people in power. It makes us feel better.

Here is one of my favourite Joe Biden blunders. He really should lean to count.

Happy Thanksgiving Fellow Canucks

I was going to sit here and type out some of the reasons I have to be thankful this holiday but decided I'd spare you of all that crap.

Everyone in my family is healthy, as far as I know, and that's about all we can ask for. Actually, a longer summer would be nice.

Suffice to say things could be a lot worse and they can always be better. I'm right there in the middle and meaty part of the "giving thanks" curve.

As long as the turkey is cooked, the potatoes are mashed, the gravy isn't lumpy and the vegetables aren't al dente I'll be happy. If I can push myself away from the table, roll my big butt into the living room to the comfy chair, undo my pants and watch some TV, it will be a great day.

Of course the sad news is I'm working the entire weekend which is good and bad.
Good: because I can always use the hours and the money.
Bad: because it's another long weekend where the weather is great, I could have been golfing and seeing friends and just enjoying life a little.

Oh well, there's always next weekend. My luck; it will probably rain.

Any way, Happy Thanksgiving everyone and don't forget to vote on Tuesday in the Federal Election. As I always say...if you don't vote, you can't complain.

Clip of the Week - July 21/08

If you're like me at all then you've probably been sick and tired of all of the campaigning, mudslinging, hype and news coverage of the United States election this year. And the real campaigning is only just beginning!

I hate to say it, but I'm at the point where I'm almost hoping for a disaster somewhere in the world just so CNN will cover something other than politics for five minutes. Some days I'd like to sick the wolves on Wolf Blitzer and the rest of his politics covering counterparts.

Of course after the years of hype and anticipation, in the end they're just going to elect one of these two guys that everyone will eventually hate any way. They can either elect McCain who many feel is another George Dubya with a "kill 'em all" attitude or Obama who has no experience and will prove how over his head he's gotten himself in no time.

In the meantime, the folks at Jib Jab have come out with another fun political cartoon and song for us all to enjoy. Have a look at it below.

New Election, Same ol Crap

I'm not usually a political person, however with the recent Municipal election I did pay a little more attention to things.

I'm the type of person that believes that no matter who is in power in politics you're never going to be happy any way. That doesn't stop me from voting. I also believe if you don't vote then you don't have a right to complain.

I have to admit that I wasn't really thrilled about the latest local election because there weren't a lot of choices that interested me. It was more with the council that I had trouble making a choice. The choice for mayor was obvious to me as I felt it was time for a change and I'm happy to say my choice was elected. It's not that I have anything against the previous mayor but I just think change can be good.

What also made it somewhat difficult was the fact that I knew all of the candidates personally. At some time in the past I had interacted with each and everyone of them. In the end I made my choices and not all of them were elected and a few of the same boneheads were reelected much to my chagrin. I know it won't make much of a difference any way because the real power isn't with council but the old boys network that pulls the strings and keeps things going to benefit themselves.

The things that need to be done and should be done to make our city grow and prosper won't happen because it might hurt their bottom line. I'm sick of hearing about the downtown and how it is hurting. Well I'm sorry that they're having a tough time but you can only visit so many banks and dollar stores in one day.

Some of the people in this city aren't motivated either. We have third and fourth generation welfare families. These people are simply satisfied living off the government and doing as little as possible. Lets not forget the teenage baby making machines that seem to congregate here. Once again, they get money for having these kids and it all seems to easy for them. What a nice image our city has as people drive through town and see society's uneducated misfits roaming our streets at all hours. But that's an issue for another day.

The city needs to expand and make use of its two major assets. It sits on a beautiful body of water and to sail into our city there is nothing worth stopping for along our river banks. In fact, I know several boaters have been told to just sail on by without stopping. Improve the appeal of the waterfront would be one priority. How about a hotel by the water. No, instead we have a factory on one side and the backside of a grocery store on the other shore. Just lovely.

The second asset is the world's busiest highway which travels right by our city and there's nothing out there to draw people in. You drive past our city and all you see are a few factories, a couple hotels, a Tim Horton's and an airplane on a pedestal. Not a lot of incentive to pull the car over is it? We need to develop that land adjacent to the highway with things that will encourage people to stop. Suggestions would include a shopping mall or big box stores like Best Buy, Lowe's or perhaps a restaurant or two.

I'm not a city planner or someone who gets paid to create traffic flow but when I go to other similar sized cities and I see what they've done I see the potential for our city to grow. This growth can even happen in the beloved downtown as well with some specialty stores and variety.

Perhaps this new council will remove the blinders, turn a deaf ear to the "old money", grow a set of "balls" and bring my city into the current century...but I'm not counting on it.