Equality.

The same day that Barack Obama is elected President, the state of California votes to have same-sex marriage banned by writing it into their State Constitution. It isn't the first State to legalize hate but I always thought that California was progressive and has led the USA in so many other areas, that saying no on Proposition 8 would be the foundation for the road to tolerance and acceptance. Its about equality, stupid. Equality trumps marriage.

Rights and Responsibilities.

Most everyone talks about their rights and hardly anyone mentions their responsibilities. Hearsay has it, Trudeau wanted to call it the Charter of Rights and Responsibilities during the initial negotiations for Canada's Constitution in the early 1980's. I wish he'd stuck to his guns because then the supreme court could hold the government, the police and populace accountable.

Campaign 2008.

It was Mr. Harper's own gaffes that lost him his majority more than anything the other leaders did, except for Mr. Duceppe. He also has the character flaw of all idealogues: No empathy. (That and the 45 million funding cuts to the Arts ;)

Leadership.

During two national campaigns, leadership is paramount to the various parties future. I have a lot of respect for Senator McCain his ordeal in Vietnam, becoming a Senator and now only one man away from being President, (he should have won in 2000, darn Karl Rove) but ultimately the american election comes down to either a vote for the past, McCain or the future, Senator Obama. I would like for america to embrace the future. Then they should see to some electoral reform, more banking oversite, universal health care, real education support for starters. Mr. Dion is starting to grow on me, the debates will be interesting.

ABC

Bailout 2008.

The hypricrosy of the current administration in Washington knows no limits. Now that Bush's friends are going to lose millions of dollars its now a 'financial crisis'. The people in Ohio, California, Florida etc. who've lost their houses over the last year don't get a bailout but the greedy and incompentant will get one. Either bail everyone out or bail no one out.

Campaign 2008.

My feeling last time, was either we get rid of Martin or Harper. So, Harper wins a minority government and Martin resigns. This time its either Harper or Dion (and really how much longer do we have to deal with Layton?). My personal preference would be Harper. Harper is a bully and the new Conservatives are incredibly power hungry. Look how they used the RCMP at the rally in Surrey last night and this isn't the first time the Police have been used to control the media. Harper muzzles his cabinet ministers to control the message. They have revealed how callus they are when in the midst of the Listeria health crisis the person in charge the Minister of Agriculture is making jokes while people are dying!?! (If its me, I'm screaming down the phone and people are flying to Ottawa to explain to me whose responsible, charges being laid, heads rolling) The completely irrational statement concerning 'ordinary canadians' and the arts. They are ideologues who could only get so far. Now the biggest spending PM of all time puts on a sweater and breaking another campaign promise calls an election no one wanted--but him and his campign team. I wish the Liberals, NDP, and Greens would hammer him back. Harper is vulnerable in a couple of spots, maybe they can gang up on him at the debates.

Daylight Savings Time.

This nonsense has got to stop! Why is this done? Growing up, we were all told it was for "the farmers". Years ago Saskatchewan voted not to springforward/fallback (so when I call family I have to quickly figure out if their 1 or 2 hours ahead but thats no hardship), but "the farmers" don't move their clocks so we can't blame them. I blame Benjamin Franklin for thinking to much, yes you can think too much. Let's stick with one time all year and let everyone else deal with it. Seriously, how can we stop this. It makes me crazy every October er, November and April, I mean March or is it May? AArrgh!