I fear that politics in Canada is trending the same way as hockey--we try our hardest, take it right to game six and tie it up in the third period--and at the very last moment the other side gets a few lucky strokes and it goes the way it always does. Not that the other side is evil, or underhanded, or even inferior; I may not believe in their cause, but enough other people do for it to be more than valid, and such is living within the rule of the people.
Something in me is hoping for change. Maybe it's "Obama-envy": I wish that Canada had a fearless and suave leader whose visions and tact were something new and exciting, something worth calling a "phenomenon." Or at least BC. Vancouver is fortunate enough to have Gregor Robertson, but municipalities have such limited control in the grand scheme of things that, unfortunately, Robertson seems more of a token towards becoming a green and sustainable province than anything else.
I voted NDP today, mostly because it's in my home riding of Columbia River - Revelstoke, and Norm Macdonald, the incumbent, has done an amazing job representing our part of the province. He's an honest and genuine man, and he's looking out for people like me and my family and friends. Unfortunately, his opposition Mark McKee is also an incredibly upstanding citizen, so it's a tough choice. But I'm voting NDP, and not just because I'm a card-carrying member.
Someone on Facebook recently posted a somewhat crass, though poignant saying: "Politicians are like diapers, they need changing, and for the same reasons." As I said--crass. But politicians do need changing, so they don't become entrenched and corrupt. We saw what happened to the NDP government the last time the Liberals in BC were elected; I fear what could happen if the BC Liberals remain in power for another four years. That will equate 12 years of BC Liberal governance, which perpetuates their problems for another four years. BC still has the highest rate of child proverty (a quarter of all children are in poverty in BC), has yet to take a tough stand against climate change, and the problems in the downtown East side of Vancouver are still rampant. There are no quick fixes, but if the BC Liberals cannot effect true and dramatic change in eight years, to me that does not equate a convincing argument for re-election. There's a reason why the United States has a maximum two-term allotment for its Presidents, folks.
Today could be one for the history books if the BC-STV system passes the 60% supermajority in the referrendum. We could be the first state in all of North America to use a proportional representation system. Last time when the BC-STV system faced a referrendum, it achieved 57.3% majority, yet it needed this 60% supermajority to pass. As it should--an entire voting system should not be altered based on a bare 50+1% majority, yet the fate of Quebec as a province of Canada was decided this way--and no governing politician or political party in North America, I'm quite sure, has ever been elected on 57% of popular vote. But again--game six, the last few minutes of the game, is it possible to score those last three goals? Physically, yes... but the Canucks have yet to get that break, and I fear that our province might meet the same, oh-so-close, fate.
Well, here's hoping.
the coyotes begin to howl
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Goodness but it's been a while since I've written in here. Nearly 8 months, by my count! Truly unacceptable. I hope to use this blog a bit more in the upcoming months, as I find myself embroiled in the Semester in Dialogue at SFU--it's only been a week, but I can tell it's going to be a challenging, engaging, and incredibly rewarding semester. Part of our assignments is journalling, and I figure that blogging will count quite well towards that.
But in the meantime, here are a few photos to describe what's gone on since my last update--as in, what's happened since the beginning of summer '08.
1. A Fantastic Job
I worked for four months at the Heights Merchants Assocation (www.burnabyheights.com) in Burnaby, BC. Not only did I get to use my degree and realize that hey, I can do a 9-5 position, enjoy it and be successful, but I got to know a few new cool cats and a new neighbourhood (that was always at my doorstep) a lot better.
2. A Beautiful Summer on the Hill
SFU is always so bleak and grim from September to April. (With a few respites that still makes it worth living here, however.) The summer, though, is something totally different. I was living in Townhouses again, and was with Laura and Tulga--and a whole crew of fellow rezzies who all seemed to be outgoing and interesting. We had a lovely time enjoying summer...
3. The Arrival of Luke
At long last, that Aussie of mine made his way from Sydney to Europe to Vancouver. It was about damn time--he arrived on July 26, just in time for us to head to Revelstoke for the long weekend and to enjoy a mild August in Vancouver.
4. Scrapbooking
It's a time for me to be introspective and creative. It's arts and crafts with a glass of wine and a good movie. What's there not to like? I've done a LOT of scrapbooking recently; my Australia collection is now complete (within a year of coming home, too!), and I'm hard at work on other projects as well.
5. Another New Job and Fun Projects
I became a CA (Community Advisor) this year in Townhouses, and while it's been challenging at some points, I've gotten to bond with a group of ten really great people. Plus, our team retreat up to Whistler was a lot of fun.
6. Friends
From Kate coming home from Newfoundland to Ola coming back from Australia to Alaina and Ashton from France, spending time dreaming and writing with Deanne, to long walks with Yngve and bus conversations with James, these people keep me grounded and in good humour. It's a blessing, truly.
7. And let's not forget family!
This is pretty self-explanatory. Mum and dad are always there for me, and while their "coaching" can sometimes get on my nerves--I know they're just trying to pass on their knowledge.
Ah, the more I think about it, the more things I find to write about here--but I shall leave it at seven points, and give an honourable mention to poetry classes, relaxing time, meeting new people, trips to nearby cities, and reuniting with my camp memories. It's time for me to be asleep, too... the coyotes are beginning to howl (I wonder how they're dealing with the good two feet of snow we have right now?), so it truly is time to drift off. Bonsoir...
But in the meantime, here are a few photos to describe what's gone on since my last update--as in, what's happened since the beginning of summer '08.
1. A Fantastic Job
I worked for four months at the Heights Merchants Assocation (www.burnabyheights.com) in Burnaby, BC. Not only did I get to use my degree and realize that hey, I can do a 9-5 position, enjoy it and be successful, but I got to know a few new cool cats and a new neighbourhood (that was always at my doorstep) a lot better.
 |
| From Hats Off Day '08 & HMA Shenanigans |
2. A Beautiful Summer on the Hill
SFU is always so bleak and grim from September to April. (With a few respites that still makes it worth living here, however.) The summer, though, is something totally different. I was living in Townhouses again, and was with Laura and Tulga--and a whole crew of fellow rezzies who all seemed to be outgoing and interesting. We had a lovely time enjoying summer...
 |
| From The Summer of 2008! |
At long last, that Aussie of mine made his way from Sydney to Europe to Vancouver. It was about damn time--he arrived on July 26, just in time for us to head to Revelstoke for the long weekend and to enjoy a mild August in Vancouver.
 |
| From The Summer of 2008! |
4. Scrapbooking
It's a time for me to be introspective and creative. It's arts and crafts with a glass of wine and a good movie. What's there not to like? I've done a LOT of scrapbooking recently; my Australia collection is now complete (within a year of coming home, too!), and I'm hard at work on other projects as well.
 |
| From The Summer of 2008! |
5. Another New Job and Fun Projects
I became a CA (Community Advisor) this year in Townhouses, and while it's been challenging at some points, I've gotten to bond with a group of ten really great people. Plus, our team retreat up to Whistler was a lot of fun.
 |
| From "C" to the "A" Adventures! |
6. Friends
From Kate coming home from Newfoundland to Ola coming back from Australia to Alaina and Ashton from France, spending time dreaming and writing with Deanne, to long walks with Yngve and bus conversations with James, these people keep me grounded and in good humour. It's a blessing, truly.
7. And let's not forget family!
This is pretty self-explanatory. Mum and dad are always there for me, and while their "coaching" can sometimes get on my nerves--I know they're just trying to pass on their knowledge.
Ah, the more I think about it, the more things I find to write about here--but I shall leave it at seven points, and give an honourable mention to poetry classes, relaxing time, meeting new people, trips to nearby cities, and reuniting with my camp memories. It's time for me to be asleep, too... the coyotes are beginning to howl (I wonder how they're dealing with the good two feet of snow we have right now?), so it truly is time to drift off. Bonsoir...
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