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Wednesday, May 4, 2011

coming out the other side


Oh friends. Yesterday was a bit of a rough day around here. For those of you that don't know me that well, you should know that I am a bit of a political junkie. It's true. I am passionate about politics and truly believe that who we each personally vote for reflects our beliefs about may things. I am a Liberal at heart. Always have been and most likely always will be. In the past I have wavered between "liberal" parties such as the Liberals, The New Democrat Party and the Green Party, but as sure as the sun will come up tomorrow, I am a left leaning gal and that's who I am.
So you can imagine my disappointment to learn that Canada had voted in a majority Conservative Party into government. Shock, worry and disappointment for many reasons. The government elected in has the environment low on it's priorities and backed out of a signed declaration (Kyoto Protocol) to decrease our carbon foot print. On other important issues such as women's rights, health care and the arts, they again have a right leaning approach, which means little or no and selective funding. There are a host of issues that I hold dear and close to my heart and beliefs that I know just won't get the attention they deserve from this government and now we will have them in power for the next 4 years.
I hate to be so down about it and really, I guess I have to trust that a fair percentage (40%) of Canadians voted for them. I can only hope that they will do what's right for this country, but in my heart, I think their priorities and those of the party that I wish had been elected are just too different.
It's hard for me when certain values, values that I think make Canada so unique and wonderful like public health care, multiculturalism, women's rights and a beautiful environment are at stake. It scares me and makes me upset that people would choose tax breaks over such important necessities.
So as I try to come to terms with this and try to move on in a positive way, I have a question for my American friends down South. If you were not a supporter of G.W. Bush, and his policies, how did you survive his term?
Hope this hasn't been too much for you. I promise to get back to my regularly scheduled blogging of the yummy things I make to eat and Noah's adventures.
xox
ps. for anyone interested here is a short list of 25 reasons why Harper should not have been reelected. Worth a read.

14 comments:

  1. Perhaps you should also ask Canadians who lived through a Liberal dynasty who did not agree with their policies. Democracy doesn't always work in our favor. We're still Canada, Harper is not Bush, all will be fine.

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  2. Sarah, I certainly hope all will be fine but I seriously have my doubts. Harper is against many of the things that I personally hold dear. Like a woman's right to a safe abortion, gay marriage, public health care and support for the arts. These are all things that he has no apologies about not supporting. This is just my opinion and it's how I feel. I hope you are right and that we will stay the way that we are. You are right, democracy isn't always in our favour, and in my case it isn't. Doesn't mean I have to be quiet about it though.

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  3. Johanna, this is a public blog and you are therefor not allowed to express any thoughts that aren't about Noah or baking.

    Hahaha, KIDDING of course. Don't ever apologize for expressing your thoughts, whether they fall in line with a political majority or not.

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  4. No I'm wasn't trying to say you can't be angry about it, my point was that you asked the Americans about what its like to live when you're not happy with the government, when a lot of people have lived through that in Canada. By the way, I'm Liberal.

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  5. It's true maybe I should direct the question towards Canadians too, but I'm asking how a more left leaning person might have felt with such an extreme right winged government. I think in some cases, maybe not a mirror image, but that Harper and Bush probably share many of the same views on the moral issues that I am worried about. Harper's government is not the same Progressive Conservative party that once ran Canada, they are a new reformed and more right winged Conservative party. I worry that's all.

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  6. I'm totally pro gay marriage and pro choice, I still voted for Harper. He will not touch those issues. On a deep rooted moral stand point he and I don't agree. But the nice thing about our right side is that they are not nearly as extreme as the US, we don't want that. He would be burned at the steak if he touched those issues, and he knows it. He's already said he has zero interest in changing those issues.

    The time just isn't right for the Liberals, but when they are better, I will switch my vote. I'm not worried at all about the next 4 years.

    On thing is true, you can totally pull up these lists on all of the party leaders. Even Jean Chretian was personally against gay Marriage.

    I think it's great to state your opinions! That's the best part of freedom of speech! Too many Canadians their lips zipped up!

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  7. I'm sorry, that made me laugh....burned at the STEAK.

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  8. Johanna, I am a bit of bleeding heart Liberal myself. Although I cringe at a Conservative Government, I do belive he will NOT touch on issue of abortion or gay marriage. I think the majority of Canadians are committed to those rights. On issues such as the environment, that concerns me.....

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  9. I'm with you, Johanna. I was deeply, deeply upset about the turnout of this election. I'm not being melodramatic when I say I fear for our country right now.

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  10. Anon, lol well he would be much tastier if he was cooked up that way, we'd have a little BBQ! It was late....:)

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  11. have you seen how many spelling mistakes and typos I have made on this blog in the past? it's all good :O)

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  12. Johanna, my dear, let me assure you that I did NOT vote for Stephen Harper. The man is an ass. I hope the NDP will keep him in check.

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  13. From the U.S.: My husband barely got by while Bush was in office. He would get so angry discussing it, I finally banned any discussions about Bush. I was equally disappointed in Bush/Republicans but didn't have the same level of anger. And my husband is not an angry person normally. My husband reads a lot and listens to lots of radio talk shows, so he has quite of bit of knowledge about specific politicians. He could back up his opinion of Bush with real knowledge. Even now, I don't like Bush's name to come up. Obama is such a breath of fresh air.

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Oh goody....I love comments!