Canada Votes Today

I'm not historically and genetically predisposed to write about up to the minute current events. I choose topics as they hit me. Issues that I have some reasonable handle on (through experience, sources, contacts etc.). It's definitely not organized nor is it scientific - many bloggers don't have the benefit of an editor. I use a lot of sarcasm, humor and dead-pan (most of it completely missed judging by some comments I have received). Some days I feel more like an essayist - it all depends and this is the beauty of blogging. It's freeform.

Where am I goin with this? I have seemed to position myself as a voice for Canadian issues (and culture) for American readers. One of the biggest complaints Canadians have - not unreasonably- is that Americans care little about Canada. True, they don't show an active interest in learning about Canada BUT it is also up to us to brand ourselves better. If we do this Americans will read. We need to project this country in a meaningful manner; and I don't mean this by drawing negative attention by using anti-American (to please a minority of Canadians. To be sure, most Canadians (apparently 70% of us anyway) like the Americans) rhetoric to cite an example. This is why I found it shocking and incredibly misguided that the Liberals would pander to Canadians who think this way. This is not leadership; it's cynical capitalizing.

Moreover, the Liberals liken themselves to the holders of a pan-Canadian vision that includes mythical values such as multiculturalism and peacekeeping. It is true the Liberals cut across a wider scope of moderate Canadians. They appeal to people who hold to notions regarding national unity by demonizing regionalized parties.

The other parties include The NDP; socialists with limited appeal. The Bloc are a provincial and thus parochial party that is in Ottawa thanks to the Canadian electoral system. Ironically, Canada's federal system is the loosest in the world and it has allowed for Quebec to have a voice in Parliament. The Conservatives have become more of a populist party defined by small 'c' and social conservatism - the school of Calgary as it is known - have redefined traditional Canadian Toryism. Still, the party has managed to appeal to many Canadians from coast to coast. One thing I hope they do is to reintroduce to Canadians (as they once did) that they need to stand on their own two feet free of government assistance.

Anyway, to my American readers I hope this blog has helped to give a glimpse in what is going on in Canada. I plan to focus more on its culture - often overlooked (incidentally, I highly recommend various CBC programming if one wants to get a feel for Canadiana. I especially like the Vinyl Café on Sunday Mornings. My goal is to go against the grain of accepted norms (though to some I am the norm) and avoid typical hysterical musings so prevalent in society today.

Canada is poised to vote a Conservative government today and this will usher in a breath of fresh air. As it stands, they are on the cusp of a majority government. I had predicted a Conservative government a few months ago and even flirted that it would be a majority one - I once debated with a PhD political scientist that Bush would win the last election. Just though I'd brag here.

It all depends how angry Canadians were with the Liberals. Here in Montreal, nationalist propaganda (Québec is fond of pointing out American propaganda excesses but never their own. Bush is a criminal in their eyes but election fraud during the 1995 referendum by the Part Québecois was either justified with typical pathetic theoretical mumbo-jumbo rhetoric or just plain ignored.

Back to the election, I'm not buying into the alleged zealotry the Conservatives are being chastised for. Sure, there's probably some validity to it but let's not exaggerate either. This is Canada after all where ensuring safe decisions comes to its full blossom. If the Conservatives prove incapable of governing then they will be booted out next election.

If the Conservatives come in I will be proud of Canadians. It will mean we recognized there was a democratic deficit and we were bold enough to take a stand. Let us hope we will be rewarded tonight.