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CLARITY DISPARITY
Monday Oct. 19, 2015
Tea-leaf reading politicos pander, target, pick-apart – riding by riding.
Harper failed to make new friends. He’s not friendly, not open, failed to breed positive fervor while sowing fear seeds. Whether you think he’s our best or worst, he’ll likely be Prime Minister only a few days more. Too-long campaign, negative ads – backfired, or was this a referendum on his character?
Mulcair failing to carry Layton’s mantle, or inspiring widespread trust notwithstanding his well-earned reputation as our most articulate and effective opposition leader in ages.
Trudeau convinced pollsters, perhaps this electorate, he’s ready. Maybe a minority government. Can he manage his own inexperience, step beyond his infamous father’s (P.E.T. revered still in parts of this country, still despised in the west) shadow?
Yesterday we were polite, quiet, didn’t pound our chest often or loudly. Canadians avoid American-media frenzy emotion-stirring polarizing politics. Mostly. Electing people who don’t shake us much from entrenched views, Canadians typically want to feel better, fear less, pay less – a little. Peacekeepers. Quiet-keepers too. Not this time.
Today. national one-day emotion litmus test, election day. We vote for members of parliament, but it’s almost always about leaders coat tails …
Tomorrow we’ll have confirmation who will lead us. Less so, consensus on direction, policy or philosophy. Seat-shuffling House of Commons drama, a Prime Minister whose party gets 30-35% support, movers plan office shifts, prepare for new occupants of 24 Sussex and Stornoway.
Fear mongering before principles mantra-politic. More people will vote today against our next Prime Minister than for – our joy, you can call it that, living in a democratic country of more than two parties.
Win, lose or maybe.
Mark Kolke
written / published from Calgary, AB
morning walk: 8C/48F, polls are open in the east, sun rising on the prairies – on the wet coast they still sleep, traffic here is hurried/frenzied early, not sure if it’s Monday enthusiasm for getting to work for going to vote or so they can get home early to watch the Blue Jays; Gusta walked/dragged behind my slight jog …
Reader feedback:
ROCKING CHAIR WISDOM
Hi Mark. Long time no see, how are you? I moved to work in Massage Heights in Crowfoot in September. Have a good night!, EL, Calgary, AB
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