So, now that we've voted...

So, my dear friends,

It is done.  

The (chose one:  Evil One, Hero, Meh) has triumphed and the pollsters were wrong.  There will be much hand-wringing and tea leaf reading in the backrooms of our political parties in the coming days, but by and large, it’s done.

We have had an election and a great many of us are, no doubt, patting ourselves on the back for having done our civic duty; lived up to our responsibility, honoured our ancestors and voted.

And now, we will watch how things unfold and get ready to start complaining about broken promises; how politicians can’t be trusted and our profound need  for SOMETHING for which to vote.

As if that is the sum and total of our civic responsibility; our political debt.  

We vote. 

It takes about 4 minutes and involves being told what to do and where to put things.  

Kind of like becoming a father.

However…like fatherhood, our responsibility does not end at conception*.  Our ancestors did not fight, struggle and die so that we might have the right to ONLY vote, they endured and overcame so that we might have the right and responsibility to be heard; to affect change; to serve.  Yesterday we gave these people a mandate, so the real question is “What are you prepared to do?”  (yes, that is cinematic allusion to The Untouchables). 

Will you write to the person that you just sent to Queen’s Park?

Often?

Will you check in and follow what he or she is doing? 

Will you bring your concerns to her/his attention? 

Will you take the time to encourage your elected member of Provincial Parliament to hold fast to her/his ideals and integrity; to keep “fighting the good fight”  even when it seems like victory can never come? 

We need to parent our politicians: Keep in touch; give them support; expect much of them and give them the understanding and resources that they need to serve well. 

Call your MPP and explain,  “I’m giving a report to the people of my Local Action Committee and I’m wondering what the government is doing about poverty and what can we do to get involved at the local level?”

Write a letter thanking your MPP for supporting a bill that keeps class sizes small, or let him/her know that class size is NOT your top priority, but assistance in the classroom is. 

Request, “ Our local Hockey Association is having a banquet and we thought we could share some of the things that the Government is doing for our kids and their safety in sports… could you give us some information?”

Send off an email, letting your MPP know that Transportation Infrastructure will always be an election issue for you and then let her/him know what you think.

Ask, “I’m giving a report out our church next Sunday and we’re curious about new initiatives to support  the LGBTQ community… “

If you have an interest or a concern, share it with your MPP, and expect a response.  It may not be the response that you expect, but it can open a dialogue and begin to affect change.  It can also assure our elected officials that the electorate cares, continues to be engaged and is prepared to support people of integrity and vision.  Nothing corrupts integrity or clouds vision as quickly as reasonable people turning the channel. 

If you are so inclined, why not consider running for office?

Will you get involved in political party,  pay your dues and demand to be heard? Do the work and slowly, but surely, find yourself in a position to affect policy?  Get frustrated, run screaming out of meetings, and affect change?  (Maybe we should serve decaf coffee at our meetings, after all... sure don't want Seli yelling and screaming like that again)

Our civic duty did not end yesterday.  It never ends, as long as we desire to live in civilization…  and I remain hopeful that one day, soon, we will live in a civilization.

*if you came down here expecting diagrams or explicit instructions, my apologies.  I just wanted to take a moment to wish all the fathers reading this, “Happy Father’s Day”… and  thanks for doing more than just voting. 

I am going to vote.

I am going to vote.

Let me begin by saying, I’m not happy with the choices that I am begin offered in this Ontario Provincial Election.  (feel free to substitute "not happy" with "Frustrated" "Furious" "Fed Up" "Foaming at the Mouth" or any other appropriate "F" word)

Let me also acknowledge that I have a number of friends who may “decline” to vote.  Some will do so by presenting themselves at the polling station and declining (an official act and “vote”) and others will simply not turn up.  At least one person who will be declining has put more hours and effort into political and community work than I can imagine – far more than I have ever dedicated.   I respect and sympathize with him and with those who will not vote.

But I will vote.

I am angry at the corruption, arrogance and stupidity evident in all three of the “major” parties.  I wish for a time when parties did not simply do what they needed to do to be elected, but actually stood for principals and platforms, giving people the opportunity to choose.   Currently, voting is much the same as cheering for a favourite sports team:  they all play pretty much the same game, we just want our hands on the trophy that we might declare ourselves “winners” in the moment, with little regard to how this elected government may shape the future and support the people.

But I will vote.

I tire of the endless “conspiracy” theories that try to depict leaders as evil geniuses (geniuii?) set on destroying all that is good and pure.  Contrary to political rhetoric, neither Goldfinger nor Valdemort are running for office.  I don’t care from which secret cabal came this or that party’s platform – I want to talk about the platform.  Yes, I do think that our leaders should be sober and responsible citizens, but other than that, I don’t care about their personal lives.   I weary of this type of electioneering.

But I will vote.

I will vote because when “reasonable” folks like us don’t show up to vote, the zealots win and take power.  The National Front in France, Jobbik Party in Hungary, Golden Dawn in Greece, the Tea Party in the U.S. and some choices here in Canada scare the hell out of me.  (I decline to name the ones in Canada, so as not to alienate any of my friends… at least those also in rehab).  These parties prey on the most base fears of the populace and bully those who present compassion as a virtue and policy – after all, compassion costs money and we’re tired of wasting money on “those” undeserving people!  The only way to defeat these people, is to vote for an alternative and deny them the power of making decisions for the whole community.   I am afraid that declining doesn't get that done.

So, I will vote.

As powerless as I often feel when it comes to politics (i.e. my voice is not heard; my vote doesn't matter), I notice in today’s paper that one of the leaders has just flip-flopped on policy.  I won’t say which leader, but he  (oops) has apparently changed his mind on LRT in Ottawa.   Why did he do that?  Somehow, the voices of individuals have risen to the point that he knows that he has to change his plans to garner their votes… and he needs their votes.  With every flip-flop and policy contradiction, I recognize that the electorate does have power.  It’s not as direct or as immediate as we would like, but there is power, otherwise the politicians wouldn't bother even lying to us.  So, we need to be increasing skeptical, even as we try to avoid being cynical.  Push for the truth – don’t just give up.  Flip-Flops happened for a reason.

So, I will vote.

I am trying to take an evolutionary view of politics.  Although I believe in the “Big Bang”, I am more acquainted by experience with evolution:  Slow.  Not always predictable.  Before we run, we walk; before we walk, we crawl… before we crawl, we need to pull ourselves out of the slime.  That may be where we are now, trying to pull ourselves out of the slime of many of our current politicians and I may not get to see the responsible compassionate government that I pray for, any time soon…. But if I give up; if we give up, then we stay in the slime and never walk. 

So, I will vote.

I am tired of the personal attacks.  The sleazy, outrageous lies told to discredit leaders and candidates.  However, I am reminded that Thomas Jefferson’s supporters accused President John Adams of being a hermaphrodite with "neither the force and firmness of a man, nor the gentleness and sensibility of a woman." Do, I need to talk about how remarkably offensive that is on so many levels?

In 1876, Democrats accused Republican candidate Rutherford B. Hayes of shooting his own mother, and stealing the pay of dead soldiers while he was a general.  

It does not take much of a memory or imagination to recall the things said about John A. MacDonald, Nellie McClung, Tommy Douglas, Barbara Hanley, Daurene Lewis, Gladys Grace May Strum,  Pierre Eliot Trudeau, Joe Clark, Mobina Jaffer… most of which were entirely baseless and cruel, having little to do with policies or future, but simply a desire to defeat a foe and win an election.   But from those horrible times, Canada becomes an independent nation, a Charter of Rights is established, Compassionate Programmes becomes National Institutions, and much of what we value and cherish today comes into being.   The personal attacks continue to disappoint me, but they will not stop me.  (btw, if you don’t recognize some the above names, look them up… it’s worth the time)

So, I will vote.

As for corruption, at the risk of depressing you, dear reader (or sounding like a keener OAC student ready for a final Canadian History exam),  let me remind you of the Pacific Scandal in 1870,  the Great Waterways Railway Scandal or 1910, Ontario Bond Scandal of the 1920s, the ever-popular  King-Byng Scandal in 1926, the Duplessis Orphans, Tunagate… and dare I mention, Patti Starr?   Corruption is not new.  It should not be tolerated or simply excused as the "Way of the world", but it should also not be enough to make us disengage.  

I know more than a few candidates who are bright, committed and compassionate, only wanting to serve the people of their communities.  It often seems that after being elected, the bullying and corruption of our system leads the to abandon principles and give up on ideals – “It’s just the way things are done” they are told…  That’s why our politicians need our attention and support AFTER they are elected, not just when they are running.  So that they know that they are not alone when they in the long halls and dark offices where ideals go to die… they need to know that it matters to the electorate that they remain people of integrity and compassion.

So, I will vote... and try not to disappear off the radar the day after the results are in.

Finally, I will vote because I can.  I am humbled when I see men and women risking their lives to vote for the first time.  I simply cannot look at the women in Afghanistan baring their inked forefingers to declare that they have decided to make their voices heard, their hopes and dreams available to the community and their love active… and decline my vote as if it were not something worth doing.

I want better…

I deserve better…

But, I will vote, at least until it gets better.

Not my Brand of Revolution

Gentle reader,

 I had hoped to stop ranting.

Honest.

Really and truly… I was prepared to write something warm and smiley… something to read to the kids over hot chocolate and Dutch cookies (they wouldn't have to be Dutch, any Frankish Confection would suffice) but alas…

Russell Brand had to start a revolution.

Or, at least, prophesy a revolution.

In a very entertaining and informative interview on the BBC, Russell Brand tapped into the disenfranchised zeitgeist and shared his disgust at the current state of politics in the western world; the lack of attention being paid to the environment and the dis-empowering of the populace.  He declared “Government” a failure; revealed that he does not vote and that explained that voting only supports a system that offers no “real” alternatives and perpetuates injustice.  (http://youtu.be/BHDcOBgWZqc)

And now, cue my grandfather….

Seriously, I know that my reaction is going to sound like an old privileged guy invested in the old way of doing things, but I've got to tell you, I’m tired of this entitled whining.  Russell Brand is willing to throw away his right to vote so casually… a right that woman only won in the past century, a right that people considered to be “less than a whole person” took to the streets to demand; endured torture and death to claim… a right that Ghandi started a revolution to obtain, a right that woman with blue ink on their fingers are risking their lives for today…

Russell has declared it meaningless.  

Because England, America (and by inference Canada) aren't offering any real alternatives.

You know, if you don’t like what Mommy or Daddy is making for dinner, you can sit at the table and refuse to eat.  Lots of little children do. 

OR, you could also go into the kitchen and learn to cook.  Lots of adults do.

I’m not defending a specific political party and I can be as cynical and frustrated with our various governments and leaders and anybody (I live in Toronto for goodness sake!!) but to just opt out and wait for the revolution?  Like all those people who are waiting for the Apocalypse when God swoops down and saves those who have been so hard done by (their own estimation) and exacts revenge on the slobbering fat cats – Russell needs to get a life, realize that he has a responsibility here and now and get off the side lines waiting for someone else to fix it.

That’s how responsive democratic governments came to be.

That’s how unions that protect workers came to be.

That’s how new political parties come into being.

Had others had the same sentiment earlier in the last century, decried the Government for not having a comprehensive health care plan for all citizens and decided not to vote, we would have no Health Care system in Canada and no NDP party offering another voice to the national debate.  Tommy Douglas could have stuck to preaching and his colleagues to farming… Not voting would have showed them all…

And we would have:

No emissions standards.

No environmental protections whatsoever.

No immigration policies.

No employment assistance.

No protection for farmers.

No food security or health standards.

No Equal Marriage

No Green Party.

I know that many of the things included on the above list are underwhelming, they may not be comprehensive enough; responsive enough… but imagine, none.   That’s what Russell is offering when he says that we should just get rid of government.  Really? By what organ will we determine the will of the people and then find the means to enact or support that will?  Shall we just let Apple and Walmart run the show?

Some will argue that the Government is not doing the will of the people… and I would agree.  But when voter turnout for the last Federal Election was 61%, who’s really to blame?

But they didn't really give us any alternatives, I hear you cry.

Yes… so, don’t leave it all to Election Day.  Get out and join a political party and help to change the policy so that there is an alternative on Election Day.  Start a new party!  I appreciate that it is unlikely that that Green Party will form the Federal Government in my life time, but they have already influenced the debate and will continue to do so, as long as people are willing to work for what that in which they believe.  It wasn't that long ago that the CCF became the NDP and everybody knew that they would NEVER form a Federal Government or even be the “Official Opposition” and yet, here they are as the latter and cannot be discounted as the former.  And in capturing the imagination and passion of the public, they have had a profound influence on the policies of the Canadian Government and the other parties.  

Remember Stephan Dion?  He seemed to be committed to a number of ideas that would appeal to Russell Brand and others who wring their hands and hang their heads…. What happened to him?  Not enough votes.

The problem (as I see it) is that, in this fast paced world of pop-up menus and instant selection on my smartphone and television set, change isn't fast enough. We want some immediate gratification and relief. We want to push a button and change the screen.  We might be prepared to vote, after all it only takes an hour, but to go out and work for a party? Become a member and go to policy meetings? Walk the streets and share ideas, promote alternatives.? Become a candidate?  That might take more than an hour… it might take days or weeks… real fundamental change might take years or even generations…  we don’t have that kind of time!!!

Well, Russell… yes, you do.  

If it matters to you, you can find the time.

I’m not asking you or anybody to wait for the world to change – I’m asking you to change the world, even if it takes years… even if you have to work and work and don’t live long enough to be at the victory party…

Not voting?

You realize that the lower the voter turnout, the more likely it is for the incumbent government to maintain power? So, by not voting, what you really do is play into the hands of those who don’t want you to have a voice and you encourage those in power to avoid alternatives, after all, alternatives just might encourage voting.  As long as you decide to not vote in protest, THEY get to write the narrative, set the agenda and mollify dissent with the promise of better cable television prices.  

Real change demands real participation.  It requires patience.  It requires self-sacrifice.  It often means doing work that is over-looked, under-valued and often goes unappreciated.  But it brings about education for all people, universal health care, moves us closer to justice; provides support for those trying to make a life; offers sanctuary for those in peril… it offers protection for the minority… the right to speak, marry or live without fear of a mob…it provides support and context for culture.   It takes many forms, happens in many places – but very rarely (in my opinion) is it achieved by NOT voting.   

I agree with Mr. Brand that a revolution is coming… I am not convinced that  it is a revolution that needs to burn down everything that we have worked for over the centuries.  However, whatever form it takes, it is a revolution that will be led by active, sacrificing participants...  not those waiting at the table for a better supper.

End of Rant.  (where's my remote?)