So I watched the leaders’ debate the other night (the Canadian one, although I was PVRing the American one just in case something totally fabulous happened, and I wanted to watch it for myself afterwards). I must say I don’t feel like I really learned anything. It was all he said/he said/she said and I don’t know which one of them — if any — were telling the truth. Is the economy just fine, and we are all idiots for being all frantic about it? Or are we on the verge of serious problems here in Canada, problems that require action? Who can say.
I’m sure I do not want to vote Conservative because their position on too many social issues does not sit right with me. But of the others, I’m not sure which one is really best.
I don’t actually want to make a big political post here. Actually my point is to complain about the fact that no matter what I decide, it actually does not matter.
That’s because I live in the most conservative riding in Ontario.
It’s a sure bet that the incumbent here — a Conservative cabinet minister — will be reelected. He’s been our MP ever since I’ve lived here. I see his signs everywhere, many many more of his than all the other parties combined. On our street alone there are at least a dozen people proudly supporting the Conservative Party, and no one supporting anything else.
Also, I offer you this: mine is the only riding east of Manitoba to ever elect a Reform candidate. NOW YOU SEE. If anything, Harper is probably not right-wing enough for the likes of folks around here.
I can’t really explain why my neighbourhood is so ultra-conservative. Our riding encompasses a lot of rural and farmland, and during the Reform years, the gun control issue was really big around here — people wanted their guns. But people on my street don’t want guns. I hope. And I just can’t believe that the rural population in my riding is controlling the vote — surely they are a small percentage of the overall population in the area.
Nope, it’s my own friends and neighbours who are Conservative Party supporters.
I could rant about that but as I said above, I don’t want to make a big political post and piss people off. Everyone has their own opinion.
But it does make me feel like my vote is meaningless. All this agonizing I’m doing over who to vote for was rendered moot when I decided not to vote Conservative. It just doesn’t matter.
I still feel like I should vote, though. It’s my civic duty, and whatever. Meh.
I think what I’ll do is look at each non-Conservative candidate in my riding and figure out which one I think is the most qualified.
Or, I may just spoil my vote.
Same difference.
TurtleHead 
Interesting. I get the impression that you generally like your neighbors, but I’m curious how knowing (based on their publicly-stated political affiliations) that you disagree on many important social issues affects how you feel about them.
I feel for ya. My hubby tells me he’s going to vote Conservative but I’m sorta feeling ‘anyone but Harper’ these days too. The debate really turned me off him.
I feel I should vote too. I don’t want too. Meh – describes my feelings too.
Actually after watching the debate I really wanted to see Elizabeth May heading up the Liberal party, that would have made my decision easy.
Oh CapnPlanet? – I LOVE my husband, it doesn’t mean I have to agree with everything he feels especially on social issues. I can think for myself, thank you. I’m sure the same is true here with Ms Turtlehead and her neighbours. 🙂
CapnPlanet — I definitely do generally like our neighbours. I’m definitely not one to enjoy political debates with people I know, so I haven’t ever confronted anyone on my street about the weaknesses in the Conservative platform.
Sometimes I wonder if the fact that we live in nice houses on a clean pretty street makes us think that social problems like drug addiction and homelessness are “other people’s problems.” I guess some people on my street would rather see a 14-year-old who stole their car go to jail, than be rehabilitated — maybe because they think their own kid will never be on the other side of that issue.
I definitely do not judge but at the same time, I don’t really understand sometimes. I’d love for someone who does support the Conservatives to let me know what it is about their platform that appeals to them. What do they think the Conservatives will do that is good for Canada, and good for them? Or do they just think the Conservatives are the best of a bunch of poor choices?
Maybe if I’m feeling brave I’ll ask one of them next time we are out for a walk.
Leanne — I agree with you about Elizabeth May! I loved her during the debates. I wish she were heading up the Liberals. That said, I also thought Stephane Dion was not as bad as many people have been painting him out to be. He remained calm while Harper personally attacked him many times, and he stuck to his guns and did not back down on his controversial Green Shift platform. Although he does have a strong accent I felt that he was following along well enough to answer the moderator’s questions accurately and on point, and I understood pretty much everything he said.
So there’s that, at least. But I’m still undecided.
I think people vote conservative because they think they’ll be better for the economy; their own economy – lots of tax breaks, more money in their own pockets. They don’t like the idea of a government using their hard earned money for social programs. It’s short-sighted and selfish, but that’s the way we seem to be rolling in North America these days.