Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Hope for the hopeless?



Cartoon: from embassymag.ca


Reading article after article about Obama since his election in November all the way until today one thing is clear: in him people see hope for change. Love him or hate him, he is bringing something new to the mix in Washington and his presence is already shaking things up.

Here in Canada, looking at our current potential leaders, it's hard to have hope. It's even harder to have hope for change. The same old boys club, the same graying hair, the same rhetoric, the same arguments, the same problems.

Since Harper's first term in office we have seen a deep divide form in this country, from the rebirth of Western separatism and Quebec nationalism, to Danny Williams doing whatever the hell wants (WILLIAMS FOR PM PLEASE!)... I'm not a old man, heck I'm a young guy, but talking to people in their early 20s it seems that politics hasn't grabbed their attention. There's a deep feeling of complacency in the majority of our young voters. Who's to blame? The politicians haven't captured our attention, the politicians we have now don't campaign on anything. They spend so much time attacking each other that none of them have capitalized on their chances to captivate voters.

Obama campaigned hard, he campaigned on promises of Change(with a capital C) he spoke with passion, he was eloquent. Weather he can make things happen remains to be seen. But the bottom line is I don't remember anyone campaigning with fire like that here in the last 8 years. Maybe someone in Ottawa should hire some of Obama's campaign managers and learn a few things.

This is my challenge to the four clowns in Ottawa: grab our attention, make us believe, make us fight for you, make us tell our friends and talk about Canadian politics over dinner and drinks with our friends. Do your jobs.

As long as our politicians act like hopeless children, I have no hope for change or improvement.

Muchacho Enfermo

6 comments:

Patrick Ross said...

Rick Mercer had pretty much the same thing to say.

As for Danny Williams, I'm not really on board. I personally find him much too smug to really get behind.

Although I can't help but wonder when Canadians will elect a Newfoundlander Prime Minister.

Muchacho Enfermo said...

Holy smokes you're right!
I never watch him anymore... I'm usually too busy watching the Habs. I miss the Mercer Rant, I should make it a point to tune in.

I'm not sure if Danny Williams is smug, I think he's just a jackass all around... But then again, he doesn't take a paycheque (or so I read in the G&M) because he doesn't need to money. That says something about him.

Although if I had to pick a Newfoundlander to run the country... it would have been Tobin. I miss Tobin

Patrick Ross said...

Meh. Tobin was OK. He could stand up for something important, which is to his credit, but also had a tendency to shamelessly self-promote while he was doing it.

Muchacho Enfermo said...

Who doesn't though? I mean what other liberal from NFLD was able to make themselves known as much Tobin?

~Zurama Arencibia Nuñez~ said...

I didn't vote for the guy, but I say, never underestimate the power to inspire.

and has it!!

~Zurama Arencibia Nuñez~ said...

Muchacho, you have an award waiting for you on Amanecer en la Habana Blog. Congratulations honorary Cubiche!

Zurama

:D