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The Transition-

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From a Canadian point of view, skin colour isn't a big deal. But when you consider America's history full of slavery, segregation, and that is just over 40 years removed from a civil rights struggle it is a big deal. A country that throws off its past like this is an inspiration. The fact that it's America is reason for hope and optimism.

For the better part of 8 years my country has served as a bridge for America to the rest of the world. Now that it's signalling a return to the international community I extend a hearty welcome back.

It will be hard work him. And there will be mistakes, and things may not get done as fast as he wants to (I don't think he can withdraw troops from Iraq in 16 months). But he is a man who can inspire us to be our best, and shifts our perception of change from the negative to positive. Tomorrow at noon hope will be restored at a time when it's needed most. America will return to to the world renewed.

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My Government...

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Isn't perfect. But it's the one we voted for. A strong minority of us chose Stephen Harper as our Prime Minister less than 2 months ago. And now that choice is under threat. It all began last Thursday as our finance minister presented an economic update- a statement on the condition of Canada's economy. Included in the statement was an idea of cutting the public subsidy granted to all parties; a measure that would the Conservatives 30 million dollars. The opposition Liberals/New Democratic Party (NDP) and Bloc all announced they would vote against it. In our system, all financial issues are confidence issues- so if they vote against it Harper's conservatives will fall.

Instead of an election, an alternative coalition government is being proposed featuring the Liberals and NDP in cabinet with the support of the separtist Bloc Quebecios. Now, I never voted Conservative, but I'm okay with Harper as leader of a minority. But a coaltion, with the support of a party whose main aim is to break up my country is an affront to democracy. We the people voted Harper into power. We the people trusted him to govern. The planned coalition is not something we voted for-the result on October 14th would have been much closer. This coalition is being forced on us, and not to repeat myself but it is the bottom line in a democracy: something we never voted for. If it goes through, I can see Canadians protesting it until another election is called.

The confidence votes take place next Monday. Harper has a few options- one of them is to porouge parliament until the budget is brought down in January. If his government is voted down, the Governor-General has two choices: one is to allow the Liberals/NDP coalition to take power and govern. The second is to send it back to the people- dissolve Parliament and call another election. Whatever happens she has to do what the P.M. and cabinet say as long as a government is in power.

I keep asking myself through all this mess what happened. There is a massive dissconnect in this country right now- the communication lines are broken. We voted Harper in- our right as a democracy. We obviously want him to govern! We don't want another election now- there's more important things to spend time on like the economy. But it seems all that has gone out the window thanks to one epically stupid mistake by Harper- and an even worse mistake by his opposition.

The train has already left the station. Even if there is some agreement made in the next week, the atmosphere is poisioned enough that there will not be the cooperation needed to successfully govern the country. It may be time for another election



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Democracy is...


Related to country: Canada
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Democracy is the freedom to choose. It's knowing that people in power can say whatever they want, but it comes down to one thing: everyone that has vote, has a choice. They may choose one party over another because it matches their values, but the important thing is; it's their own personal choice. And in a democracy there's nothing more important than that.

It's the pride that goes with making that choice. When I voted in Canada's most recent federal election, I felt so proud of myself. I entered the polling station my head held high, and showed my identification then stepped behind the privacy screen and marked my ballot. When I was done I came out and place it in the ballot box. I felt proud of myself- I had just made my voice heard and voted for who I believe in. I made my choice.

Today of all days, the freedom to choose is an important one. Americans get to do that, knowing whatever they do they're making history. One person. One vote. One choice. Is there anything more powerful than that?

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