Stupid Canadians - a post that will ensure I never run for office.

I am not a big believer in democracy, largely because I don't believe in the intelligence of the masses.  Individuals are smart, but on a collective level they make stupid decisions.

Yesterday, the Canadian people returned the Conservatives to power with a stronger minority government (thank God it wasn't a majority).  This is a party that has for the most part done the exact opposite of what it claims is its aim.  Where it promised transparency it brought the most secretive government in recent memory; where it promised accountability it blamed current problems on past governments; where it promised increase in regional power, it brought a strong centralized government effectively creating a dictatorship out of the Prime Minister's office.  The people have voted to empower a government where the majority of its members don't believe in equal rights for all citizens, don't believe in helping the poor, want to empower the rich to get access to better healthcare than poorer citizens.  This is a government to whom "arts" and "culture" are evil words that only liberals use.  If they had their way, we'd all be watching hockey and listening to country radio whenever we weren't watching crappy American television shows. 

Not to mention that a good core of the Cabinet that will undoubtedly form are just arrogant assholes --ahem John Baird-- (believe me I know, I used to sit in Cabinet meetings). 

Anyways, it's all a bit of downer considering our intention to return to Canada sometime in the next year, but it has solidified my desire not to return to the public service where I can be made a pawn in political games played by idiots who don't understand the consequences to everyday Canadians. 

So there, I said it.  I hate the Conservatives, and I think most people who support them are clueless about the world and if I had my way, they wouldn't be allowed to vote.

It may be elitist, but I think there should be an exam to be allowed to vote.  You should be able to show a reasonable understanding of economics, geography (physical and human), and history.  Otherwise you are too ignorant to vote. 

There, now I can never be elected to any office in the land. 

Comments

[Danielle]

I agree, except for the last comment about taking an exam to vote. Sadly, the conservatives are being voted in by the people who HAVE a solid understanding of economics, history, etc. They are not exactly the party of the poor and uneducated (not to be confused by rural, by the way). The Globe and Mail endorsed Harper. Rich business men voted for him. They got votes everywhere but Newfoundland, Montreal and Toronto. Sadly, I think it's more a matter of people feeling like they had no other options. And that's worse for our democracy than any yahoo from Ottawa-West Nepean (although he's a close second, I agree).

But yeah, I was pretty disappointed too. And you're right about the arts and cultures thing ...

[lando]

good rant. I pretty much agree with everything.

picked NDP yesterday to help avoid a majority.

[michelle]

And neither can I. :)