By Glen Turner – Special to the Sydenham Current
I’m wondering if many folks feel the same way I do.
I know I had said earlier that I didn’t want to get political in these pieces, but recent events have made me re-think that.
We are now in the early stages of an election campaign. ~yawn~
If you’re like me, and recent voter turnouts suggest that many are, it will be another of what has become what I call ‘expensive silliness.’
Very sad, too, in so many ways.
I USED to be a political junkie. Growing up in Ottawa, and knowing a bit about how government works, I was very, very active politically for years.
I’m old enough to have been on the floor of the Ottawa Civic Centre (1968) when Pierre Trudeau was elected leader of his party for the first time.
I’ve campaigned, called, mailed, emailed, gone door-to-door with or without candidates, and have attended more than my share of speeches, rallies, conventions and political fundraisers.
I’ve voted for all three major parties at one time or another, just so you know.
Now, though, I’m becoming quite jaded about the process, and frankly, about the people.
Thanks to Stephen Harper, we are now facing the longest federal campaign since the 1870’s… 78 days to be exact.
Predictions are that it will be the most expensive EVER, by a long shot.
Of course, the stupid attack ads began months ago (talk about wasted money), thanks to the Conservatives, and THAT will ramp up, the closer we get to voting day.
I’m wondering if two factors might actually get people interested again, at least for a while.
One, current polls show the three main parties are almost in a dead heat for support.
THAT might make it interesting.
Two, there are now 338 seats to be contested, and some of the races could prove interesting in the new ridings.
It still will be hard for me to take the campaign seriously, though. And even harder for me to consider even getting involved again.
Of course, compared to the U.S., where a ‘buffoon with bucks’ aka Donald Trump, can actually lead the polls to be his party’s Presidential candidate.
Okay… ’nuff said.
🙂 LOL!
