The Lazy Hazy Days of Election Season

Paul Martin has called an election in Canada.

The poor electorate does not know what to do. With the full extent of the advertising scandal becoming clear, we're mostly furious with the Liberal Party. At the same time, however, people have become deeply suspicious of American-style politics. With the war in Iraq showing the serious errors in American-style foreign policy, as well as the nightmare Americans face in health coverage and drug prices, people will be quite nervous about the Conservative party as well, although Stephen Harper seems likable and competent.

Jack Layton speaks the language urban Canadians understand, but Ontario voters can't forget the highly ideological and union-beholden (the unions eventually bit the hand that fed, though) NDP government of Bob Rae that wrecked Canada's economic engine.

So who do we vote for? Perhaps people will have to focus on local candidates. In my riding, Monia Mazigh, the heroic soul who fought an international diplomatic conspiracy and freed her husband, is running for the NDP. I support many of the NDP's economically progessive policies - my grandfather was Tommy Douglas' close friend, and NDP voting is in the blood. But, being Catholic, it is difficult for me to accept a lot of the socially progressive stuff the NDP would foist on us all - call me a fuddy duddy, but that is who I am.

Maybe I'll call up her campaign office and find out where she stands on all this stuff.