Sunday 17 April 2011

coalition? don't matter, get'ter done

Half-way into the election campaign, politically correct, petty political shots and perfect promises, party platforms all compete for our votes. All boast of what to do after they get elected to help communities which elected them. How quaint, however, it's getting tiresome after many elections. Because it seems like we've done this every other year for nearly a decade, it's time for a change. Just like last time.

The simple saying 'get'ter done' is said for a reason. It's a great concept yet we all struggle at times and need a helping hand.

Despite who gets elected, do us a favour and act for the greater good. Not for the party's greater good. Not for a sweet job. I hope they get more done than just sit around in sub-committees planning. I'm impatient so I would love a short and sweet plan to set succeed, so shock me and get'ter done.

Isn't that what they do before elections? Make up convincing platforms for change. Not many campaign promises with solid 12 steps plans to actually happen without a three year projection. Odds of that half-baked plan working challenge even R2-D2's ability to calculate success probability, especially when there's an election every two years... okay maybe the cycle will be broken. Yet it's still a major downer for me if they start with great intentions, only to be blown away before full completion.

For a listing of the political promises to see for yourself, check out the Canadian Press summary which comes out every few days through google news. Some of the promises are so practical it hurts. Note the ratios of new promises per party. Their platforms seem real optimistic with studies and surveys and ideas. When you look at how much money they want to spend without saying how to raise it, who foots the bill other than taxes and jobs created? It's easy to be socialist without saying how to pay for it all.

Some of the political ideas are great, but last only as long as the campaign competition. So do promises and plans just get put into storage like shiny Christmas decorations and recipes for next election?

Not being in their shoes, I try not to judge politicians too harshly. I've failed at times to explain their lack of logic. They don't seem to consider wearing my shoes when huge changes impact my life and everyone around me. They should try well-worn sneakers and work boots once in a while. Not trendy but serviceable for the common folk.

It wouldn't be a bad idea to be working with the opposition and common folk who elected them? There are some wonderful ideas which fade after the election is over like supporter signs on the lawn. Why can't politicians just.... all get along? Left or right of center, who knows, they might be able to pull off some major reform or simply be civil and not block bills that might cause an election to swing in their favour to win control.

If they want to control the country, spiffy. If there's some joint coalition, whatever that political jargon means, just do something already. Maybe there's some solid reasons to not have too many chief bakers in the kitchen. Maybe I'm simplifying the whole concept but I thought it was how a minority government gets anything done - by co-operating and making compromises with the evil enemy, the ominous opposition leaders. Aren't they elected people who also want to do great things for the country and its citizens.

Peace, order and good government is what Canada was built on, not half-baked cookie dough. They built Rideau Canal almost 200 years ago and despite set-backs, it was engineered so simply and solidly that it still works. So keep rising to the occasion and orderly build upon good governing - which I hope includes being fiscally responsible and spending within reason.

Whoever is in power after this election stands could do great things, or end up with half-baked cookies and budget plans. If standing by their promises to get plans into action, against the huge odds, do it anyways. Even R2-D2 has been known to be wrong.

Pro-action sounds nice but difficult to under-take. Sweat equity is painful and muscles which haven't been used in a while get sore easily before endurance builds up. Just as work-outs at the gym start to show satisfying results, so do plans turning into results. So politicians, please, shock me, I know you got it in you to get'ter done.

-- PLR --

p.s. check out the Voter Compass at CBC's website because it surprised me on the results for myself. I'm obviously going to need to do some more reading on political stuff...

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