Mazinaw Musings June 10, 2004
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Slippery Planks
During the days when pirates roamed the high seas, those captured by the buccaneers were forcibly encouraged to walk the plank into the deep blue ocean. Obviously I have yet to experience this practice but watching the federal election campaign unfold I have an uneasy feeling that I may now be on one of those slippery planks. The various political platforms are being hammered together; not too securely as the planks, even while being polished, are switched during the ebb and flow of polls.
All parties have motherhood promises on health care, education, taxes (raising and lowering) and opinions on scandals. The party differences are the amounts of money and approaches. Once in a while environment, immigration, security and infrastructure are mentioned but with little money commitment or details.
Our prime minister has a real advantage while crisscrossing the country, tossing out financial goodies appropriate to the area he visits. Granted some of the money was promised long ago and never paid but that is politics; bribery with our own money when it is most convenient for governments maintenance. Cities and their transportation systems have been promised a windfall from gasoline tax rebates but so far we country bumpkins who have to depend upon the automobile exclusively to get around have been ignored. There are not enough votes in the boondocks to warrant our consideration; yet all Canadians are equal!
The other leaders are at a disadvantage, they can only promise to bribe but all have acquired the knack of shouting out billions of dollars while whispering Spread over 5 years.
I watch the scurrying candidates on TV and wonder why they are running for office. Hopefully some have noble reasons, they all vouch that they run for our good but I am cynical. I have experienced many decades of political manoeuvrings and have reasons to be cynical.
I am trying to sort out and balance the promises that are good for my country and for me. Health care is certainly an important plank, especially one designed for the elderly but should it be at the expenses of the young? Is it more important to make me safe and comfortable in a nursing home rather than discouraging and treating obesity among those starting out in life?
I acquired my education and contributed towards my childrens; should I begrudge increased taxes dedicated to present educational needs? Not if I have the good of our society at heart but I cannot help muse why parents cant forego some of their personal wants for the sake of their childrens education.
Our taxes have been mishandled, some allegedly stolen, political promises have been broken within weeks of being made, candidates who have broken our laws are running again and politicians friends have benefited from my hard earned cash for doing nothing. It is a discouraging litany.
Many are saying they wont vote; they cant make a difference. That I cannot accept. I have attended some elections and immediately returned the unmarked ballot with the comment, None of these candidates are worthy of my vote. That causes consternation for the returning clerk but really is only one step away from spoiling a ballot.
What will I do? I will wait to the last minute, try to sort out all the variables but then will probably vote for the leanest, meanest person on the ballot. My theory is that he or she will scurry about, raise hell, and get things done but with one eye focused on the best pension in the world. When he or she fattens my vote will shift to an up and coming lean, mean candidate. There are few tangible differences in party policies; even the candidates switch planks and parties.
