Canada vs USA: Comparing Politics

There are some puzzling aspects in North American politics. In the United States voters are generally Republican or Democrat. In Canada there is more choice including the Bloc Quebecois party which only Quebecers can vote for.

On October 14 Canadians reluctantly went to the polls to vote. With a ho hum attitude they delivered the same results as before the election; so was it really necessary? Prime Minister Harper thought it was. Although he wanted to change the Canadian voting system to mirror that of the United States, he obviously thought well, maybe next time. What did Canada's leaders demonstrate that was different than the last election? They certainly showed that they can put together a campaign rather quickly. Prime Minister Stephen Harper showed us that he may be watching too many re-runs of Mr. Rogers Neighbourhood. With his sudden image change he tried to come across as a fuzzy wuzzy cuddly Daddy Bear. What was the point of that? Liberal leader Stephane Dion brought experience to the table and probably hoped that Canadians had forgiven the Liberals for past scandals. Maybe with the face of a new leader they'll just move on? Obviously not so fast. Didn't we just have an election last month? New Democratic hopeful Jack Layton really seemed to believe he had the 'right package' for Canadians. 'I'm too sexy for my shirt,too sexy for my,my,my,my.... Green Leader Elizabeth May felt very slighted when there was much controversy over whether she should be included in the debates. She faired quite well in the French debate. Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe can speak with such ease even though his agenda is to divide the country. How is it that the Bloc Quebecois can maintain national party status when the party itself is limited to Quebec? Perhaps Prime Minister Harper should take a serious look into that and keep his head at home rather than trying to mirror the U.S. No offense to the U.S., but Canada has issues that are unique to Canada just as the U.S. has issues that are unique to them.

White House photo by Eric Draper

U.S. President George W. Bush met with President-elect Barack Obama at the White House

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Pictured above is President Bush and President Elect Obama. This photo op looks like these two men have something in common. Maybe they do. There is one thing that these two would agree on. They would both say, 'I Am An American'. The American people have been polarized for a very long time. For a country that has more than three hundred million people, why do they seem to have only two mind thoughts? Republican or Democrat, Black or White, left or right. What ever happened to front and centre? Or how about left on one issue right on another, front and centre on a few and confused with the rest? We the people have the power to vote politicians in and pull the rug out from under them when we are dissatisfied with their performance. After all, it's our hard earned tax dollars that pays them. When we give our leaders a mandate we expect them to get the job done. Why did President Elect Obama win with such a landslide? The American people are obviously ready for change, ready for diversity. Hats off to them for that! Perhaps First Lady to be Michelle Obama was more attractive to the American people than Governor Palin? Maybe she's the one who helped to put her husband over the top. Citizens in both countries need our leaders to be leaders. We need them to have a vision of their own. A vision that the vast majority can grasp ahold of and help to make a reality. Fix what is broken and be humble enough to not let pride rule.