The State of Politics

Haven't been around much over the last few months, really didn't feel all that inspired to post. That changed a bit in the last few days.

First, as a proud Canadian, I'm dreading that we are heading for an election in the next month or so. Of course the fact that it is not official yet has not kept all the parties from starting the campaign. The dread doesn't come from that of course. I love elections! The bad part is we have to pick from a bunch of losers once again. The lack of a viable choice for leader of our country depresses me. I think, Harper is an egomaniacal douche, Dion is a wimp who can't even inspire his own party to follow him, and Layton and the NDP are too far left, even for me. There are some real lunatics in that party.(Plus his 'stache makes him look like an aging porn star, I just can't take him seriously.)

So as far as I see, no viable choice, (and no, the Green Party is not a choice, until they have official party status, they don't enter the conversation, sorry.) and we'll probably end up with the same minority government we have now.

What is the point? "Let's waste millions on an election no one wants, so we can re-affirm that we don't like any of our douchey politicians, and be right back where we started in a couple of months." How does that make even a lick of sense?

Which brings me to my second point, why can't we have just one politician that can inspire and seems to have some leadership qualities? I have been following the American races, and regardless of what I feel about their policies, Obama, Clinton and McCain seem to be those types of politicians. Since Clinton's out of the race, I'd like to ask our cousins to the south, would you accept a trade of Layton, Dion, some hockey sticks and tape, and heck, I'll throw in a life time supply of maple syrup, for Hillary? What do you say?

Speaking of the American presidential races, wow, just wow. I really like Obama, one of the greatest political speeches I've ever seen last week. Really looking forward to the debates. Gimme some of that kool-aid, I'm in.

Now, that being said, I was actually impressed by McCain's pick of Palin for his running mate. Much more so than Obama's pick of Biden, I thought Palin was a good, bold, choice that showed some guts from the Republicans. But then the media's vetting started. Look, I couldn't give a damn whether her kid is knocked up at 17 or not. Really neither here nor there. I do have a problem with her speech a few years ago saying that the Iraq war was essentially God's will. That's great. Let's call for another crusade, I think it's just what we need right now.

Shit, that is some scary fucking talk, even if it came out of a religious leader's mouth, but oh no, it was from a politician in a political setting.

All that aside, I mean it's just my views, and hers are counter to mine and that is fine. One of the greatest things in western society is that we're allowed to have differing opinions and speak out on them. But that brings me to the last point.

Where do the Republicans get off calling out the media for making these things known? Reporting on actual facts is now a biased attack? The media is against them and in love with Obama? Umm, okay, sure, righteous indignation on letting us know more about the person who could be 'a heartbeat away' from running your country. Just because you don't like what is coming out, doesn't mean the news is biased.

I'm not saying the media isn't biased, but if you are going to get all righteous about it, how about the 'Obama is a sercret muslim' thing from earlier this year? Here was a news story that wouldn't die for weeks, and it wasn't even true! Where was the 'how dare the media' talk then?

Regardless of what side of the aisle you are on, surely this 'woe is us' and 'everyone is against us' talk is transparent as the New England Patriots, 'No one respects us' line from a few years ago. Sure it's galvanizing to say us against the world, and I understand what they are doing. I just hate this type of political maneuvering that is masqueraded as a real issue.

'Til next time.