I am not going to be so bold as to predict the outcome of Monday’s Federal election, but I do expect to be back at the polls within a year. Try to explain our federal election process to an American and watch their eyes glaze over.
The reports are in that millions of voters have taken advantage of the four-day advance poll and the pollsters have mixed reactions. Some say this is clear indication that we are about to see a major upset while others say the unusual turnout tells us that this campaign has gone on too long and we just want to vote and get it over with.
We have heard about people having to wait for 45 minutes to an hour and leaving in disgust and we have seen interviews with disgruntled citizens complaining they gave up their lunch hour to vote, didn’t get a chance, and now they don’t know if they will bother to vote at all.
They should sit down and read the stories of people shot and killed at polling sites in other countries where radical factions pre-determine the outcomes. They should read the stories of African people who have walked for miles to vote only to have their hands cut off as they enter the town where the vote is to take place. Missing your lunch doesn’t seem too bad after that.
Another poll suggests that 58 per cent of Canadians polled are more interested in the US election race than our own. It figures. Donald Trump screaming at 20,000 people in a Houston arena is much more entertaining than Justin Trudeau standing on a flatbed grain truck north of Saskatoon talking to 20 farmers.
My biggest pet peeve is the election signs. After the election I am writing to my elected officials recommending we prohibit election signs on public property. I have never seen as many signs trashed and defaced, lying across sidewalks or blocking the view from intersections as I have this year.
Some have been down for weeks and no one seems to care. It does tell a story, though. If a candidate doesn’t care about his image here at home, how is he going to perform thousands of miles away in Ottawa?
Besides, they are boring. They need to be more attractive to drivers. Many of you may remember the old Burma Shave signs of the ’40s and ’50s. Five or six signs would be placed in a row, each consecutive sign with a line to a poem. It was one of the most successful ad campaigns around at the time.
For instance, coming up to a set of railroad tracks the signs might read: Train approaching / Whistle squealing / Stop / Avoid that run-down feeling / Burma-Shave. So let’s get creative with our election signs. For instance: Seniors, I’ll relieve your tension/ Vote for me/ You’ll get more pension! Or perhaps:
Vote for me/ Forget my Dad/ No Fuddle Duddle/I’m not that bad!
Without signs, the candidates may find they have to campaign out in the community, attend the all candidate’s meetings or spend more on newspaper profiles so people get to know them better. But I have nothing but respect for all those who put their names forward. I appreciate someone who stands up and speaks up. Good luck to you all.
Soldiers died for your right to vote. Don’t squander it.
At least, that’s what McGregor says.