Politics

"Bipartisanship" is a word you don't hear in Canada. American politics is downright cordial compared to Canadian politics. Sure, congressional elections may mean negative ads and angry televised debates, but once that is done, US politicians tend to settle down and cooperate with those in other political parties.

Not so in Canada. Every day is an election campaign. Because all power is essentially consolidated in the House of Commons (we have a senate and a Governor General, but no real power sits in those offices), the machinery of government does not have to be greased with quite as much cooperation. There is one particular session, called "Question period", that is specifically blustery and cantankerous by nature. Question period's entire purpose is to offer opposition leaders the opportunity to rise, red-faced and angry, and basically shout rhetorical questions and political campaign slogans at the Prime Minister and leaders, who will then rise and respond with non-answers and political campaign slogans of their own.

Here in the city, we have an election of our own coming up on Monday. Our choice for mayor is between three guys: Bob Chiarelli, longtime mayor and architect of a plan for a billion dollar Light Rail system that doesn't go anywhere, Alex Cullen, a former city counselor, a fellow with more sensible light rail plans but a perceived record of spending like a drunken sailor, and Larry O'Brien, a businessman with absolutely no experience in politics whatsoever (other than sitting on some some board of trades and business committees) yet who decided to go straight for the top job.

Not an inspiring set of choices. Chiarelli is polling way down at the bottom, so I might vote for Alex Cullen to help fend off the inexperienced businessman. Or I might vote for the inexperienced businessman to fend off the drunken sailor. But either way, I won't be doing it happily.