Halifax Tar
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Great post!
Rick (Master Crayon Eater) on choosing your political horse
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Great post!
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Thanks. Keep in mind these are just my opinions. Others have equally valid opinions.
Halifax Tar
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Oldgateboatdriver
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Personally, I did something rather different the last election: I voted Bloc (yes, me, Mr. Progressive Conservative).
I did so because the Bloc candidate, the incumbent Andreanne Larouche, has proven herself to be quite active and good for the riding. She is here in the riding quite a lot ( a lot more than the conservative candidate we had before her) and actually works hard with her staff for the people of the riding. They pay attention to details and when you write them (I've had to do so twice in the last five years), you get a quick acknowledgement followed within a reasonable time of an answer that is not a mere canned answer but shows that they looked up the issue, found out what was required and made the process clear and easy to follow, the whole supported by logically constructed arguments.
Just to give you an idea of her attention to details: Once a year, in her annual riding mailing she is entitled to, she sends us a calendar that incorporates all the important dates for federal programs for the year and all the important federal contact information for both the riding and Ottawa. There are no party affiliation info anywhere (as should be) but also, no messaging that would take a political position one way or the other on any issue that would reveal said political affiliation. But, the noteworthy part of that calendar is that, for every month, the picture associated with the month is a work of art (painting, photo, sculpture, book cover) from a local artist from the riding.
I have always found that good staff work at the MP level starts with the actual MP and her insistence on attention to details.
I found her to be good for the riding, and I voted for her.
I did so because the Bloc candidate, the incumbent Andreanne Larouche, has proven herself to be quite active and good for the riding. She is here in the riding quite a lot ( a lot more than the conservative candidate we had before her) and actually works hard with her staff for the people of the riding. They pay attention to details and when you write them (I've had to do so twice in the last five years), you get a quick acknowledgement followed within a reasonable time of an answer that is not a mere canned answer but shows that they looked up the issue, found out what was required and made the process clear and easy to follow, the whole supported by logically constructed arguments.
Just to give you an idea of her attention to details: Once a year, in her annual riding mailing she is entitled to, she sends us a calendar that incorporates all the important dates for federal programs for the year and all the important federal contact information for both the riding and Ottawa. There are no party affiliation info anywhere (as should be) but also, no messaging that would take a political position one way or the other on any issue that would reveal said political affiliation. But, the noteworthy part of that calendar is that, for every month, the picture associated with the month is a work of art (painting, photo, sculpture, book cover) from a local artist from the riding.
I have always found that good staff work at the MP level starts with the actual MP and her insistence on attention to details.
I found her to be good for the riding, and I voted for her.
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When I first moved to Halifax we were between elections and we had no idea who our MP was or what party they belonged to. Sometime later we received a letter/pamphlet in the mail from them and I was both frustrated and happily pleased because I was unable to figure out from the pamphlet what party they belonged to.
ArmyRick
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So adding to this topic, I realize something more alarming than I previously thought. I always knew there was some or at least a little political ignorance among the Canadian public (for many years while serving, I saw this first hand as a soldier and kind of assumed it was mostly military/war affairs that they were in the dark about and automatically placed it on the fact that Canada is a safe and secure society and thus many are removed from such realities).
However, as time ticks on, and I have been out for almost 8 years now, I realize political ignorance goes beyond the military/war amongst Canadians. Hell, there were many things I admit I was blissfully unaware of until I stopped being mostly military driven (for note, for the first 15 or so years of my voting eligibility, I voted federally almost entirely on who was most likely to support the armed forces, end of criteria).
I became more concerned with other affairs (and as such starting pay more attention to them) when my wife and I started having kids (in 2008) and I knew I had an end state with the forces, leading into myself getting into business world (every single farmer is a business owner), which was a good thing.
Many here know, and for those that don't, I have voted conservatives, greens (yup I did twice), NDP (especially at the provincial level I used to be a strong NDP supporter), Reform and even independents on a few occasions. My point here is I am actually open minded and not "married" to any political party.
I wish I could say the same for many people I know. I am not just talking here. As someone involved with my local EDA, many of my friends and family will frequently ask me questions about federal politics. Quite often, I tell them I don't know or that is a personal choice/opinion matter that each has to figure out on their own.
1 thing I do tell people still at every election, is to treat it like it is a job interview and to not just blindly select someone based on their party (although technically standing with a party means you stand with that parties platform) or vote someone else just to stop the party you don't want. I think "strategic voting" is f-ing stupid. Vote the candidate that best matches your views and values, if none are available, then vote an independent (I have always see independents running). I recommend talking or emailing them first if possible.
That being said, I am troubled at what people still fail to realize.
-Have heard people say many times "Why doesn't Pierre just bring the government down with a non confidence vote?" or words to that effect. I have to explain to people how that even works and the cooperation required. And the fact that it only happens on certain votes.
-People complain that all they do is talk, talk, talk in parliament Q & A/NA period. Yes, why is this shocking? People seem to think that this is where bills and laws get made, the nitty gritty details, etc. I then explain to them that most of that happens in parliamentary committees and people stare at me like that guy in jaws who says "a what?" Yup, many people have NO clue that these even exist.
-Why don't they force the government to answer questions or produce documents? Thats literally what happened in the last parliament and sort of contributed to its downfall, however I have to then explain about confidence votes and in that case how Jagmeet screwed up very badly.
There are many other issues, procedures, protocols, etc that people lack an understanding of (I admit I am always the student in parliamentary stuff as are many of you). I really wish Canadians as a whole would stop defaulting their critical thinking about political affairs to others. That is what results in voting out of ignorance. It would also lead people to stop voting purely out of emotion, which is really dumb.
I still feel, people need to discuss political matters more often, and not be afraid of how emotional it can get. When we don't talk politics or hide from it, we are hiding from reality and that always comes back to bite you in the ass.
It would be more effective I feel if Canadians not only voted politicians based on criteria but also judged them on results after they have been elected.
However, as time ticks on, and I have been out for almost 8 years now, I realize political ignorance goes beyond the military/war amongst Canadians. Hell, there were many things I admit I was blissfully unaware of until I stopped being mostly military driven (for note, for the first 15 or so years of my voting eligibility, I voted federally almost entirely on who was most likely to support the armed forces, end of criteria).
I became more concerned with other affairs (and as such starting pay more attention to them) when my wife and I started having kids (in 2008) and I knew I had an end state with the forces, leading into myself getting into business world (every single farmer is a business owner), which was a good thing.
Many here know, and for those that don't, I have voted conservatives, greens (yup I did twice), NDP (especially at the provincial level I used to be a strong NDP supporter), Reform and even independents on a few occasions. My point here is I am actually open minded and not "married" to any political party.
I wish I could say the same for many people I know. I am not just talking here. As someone involved with my local EDA, many of my friends and family will frequently ask me questions about federal politics. Quite often, I tell them I don't know or that is a personal choice/opinion matter that each has to figure out on their own.
1 thing I do tell people still at every election, is to treat it like it is a job interview and to not just blindly select someone based on their party (although technically standing with a party means you stand with that parties platform) or vote someone else just to stop the party you don't want. I think "strategic voting" is f-ing stupid. Vote the candidate that best matches your views and values, if none are available, then vote an independent (I have always see independents running). I recommend talking or emailing them first if possible.
That being said, I am troubled at what people still fail to realize.
-Have heard people say many times "Why doesn't Pierre just bring the government down with a non confidence vote?" or words to that effect. I have to explain to people how that even works and the cooperation required. And the fact that it only happens on certain votes.
-People complain that all they do is talk, talk, talk in parliament Q & A/NA period. Yes, why is this shocking? People seem to think that this is where bills and laws get made, the nitty gritty details, etc. I then explain to them that most of that happens in parliamentary committees and people stare at me like that guy in jaws who says "a what?" Yup, many people have NO clue that these even exist.
-Why don't they force the government to answer questions or produce documents? Thats literally what happened in the last parliament and sort of contributed to its downfall, however I have to then explain about confidence votes and in that case how Jagmeet screwed up very badly.
There are many other issues, procedures, protocols, etc that people lack an understanding of (I admit I am always the student in parliamentary stuff as are many of you). I really wish Canadians as a whole would stop defaulting their critical thinking about political affairs to others. That is what results in voting out of ignorance. It would also lead people to stop voting purely out of emotion, which is really dumb.
I still feel, people need to discuss political matters more often, and not be afraid of how emotional it can get. When we don't talk politics or hide from it, we are hiding from reality and that always comes back to bite you in the ass.
It would be more effective I feel if Canadians not only voted politicians based on criteria but also judged them on results after they have been elected.
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Great post, Rick. I'm surprised (don't take this negatively) that you thought the public was actually more informed than the military with respect to the procedures of parliament and politics in general; I would have assumed the opposite.
Further, to this point:
You used the word "just" which to me implies you think many on here are "married" to a political party, and I would argue that is seldom the case.
Further, to this point:
You used the word "just" which to me implies you think many on here are "married" to a political party, and I would argue that is seldom the case.
ArmyRick
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To be perfectly honest, I didn't realize until several years after leaving Reg F/Class C/Class B life did I understand what goes on civy world and how they think/act in some cases. I was living inside the "Army Bubble".
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