Politics - Upcoming Elections

As much as I didn't really think of politics since grade 10 when there was an upcoming election at the end of Honourable PM Stephen Harper's first term. It actually wasn't surprising that he was elected for a second term in the office. Overall in his first term he did adhere to his platform, most notable adjustment is the decrease in GST from 7% to 5%.

Last night, I was talking to OG and she brought up the Canadian version of the presidential debate on CBC. So I took the liberty in the late hours at night to watch it. Lone and behold we have the Tories, bloc Québécois, Liberals and NDP poking holes in everyone's platform. For those who aren't so attached to politics; a brief summary of the last decade and so forth.

1993 - 2003: PM Jean Chrétien (Liberal) - In the last two decades, the best PM Canada has seen. Some highlights: Eliminating federal deficit, Québec sovereignty referendum (voted against and the former PM named Québec a distinct society). But this is all probably due to the fact he also had a large majority government.

2003 - 2006: PM Paul Martin (Liberal) - Although apposed to same-sex marraige in '99, our PM changed views and supported the issue in '04 in turn allowing a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in Canada. Foreign relations also stopped short, as Canada was unable to reach the foreign aid target and lastly, he lost his minority government when there was a vote of no-confidence.

2006 - Present: PM Stephen Harper (Conservative) - This is his second term in office and he really hasn't done much. He did close down parliament twice under his reign, he was also the first government to lose the confidence of House of Commons due to Contempt of the Parliament. Again a minority government. Oh, he also lost Canada's seat on the UN security council.

So with this vote coming up and the ability to see how these men battle it out like children over chocolate goes to show, how politics is one messed up world. Each party has a flaw and noe one can predict the future of Canada. The platforms also bring insight into the views of the parties, but perhaps the most disturbing is voter turnout has decreased for the last century. The fact that currently over half the population is determining the government is a joke. Go out, do some research and vote.