Politics is Mean and Nasty
Opinion
This federal election has been nasty. People in Medicine Hat cannot even talk to their neighbours anymore about the different parties they may vote for without being ridiculed. Just a hint of not agreeing with your neighbour will result in name calling and derision.
Nobody is even asking people why they favour one party / one candidate over another, they usually go immediately on the attack, saying things like,
”You think (this) - you must be a (Liberal/ Conservative / NDP supporter)”.
The names are nasty, I will not repeat them.
It seems that everyone wants to know how the other person votes and bases their opinion of that person on their politics.
How the hell did we get here?
We are Canadians, we are BETTER than this.
I know many people who do not share my political views. However, we still share many of the same values. I can always find common ground with people.
I have never understood the blind loyalty some people have towards a political party. I have voted for them all at some point, my vote shifts with the platforms and the values the parties have.
Blind loyalty is dangerous - if your entire family voted one way their entire lives and expect you to continue on with the tradition just for the sake of keeping the peace, the parties never have any reason to alter their policies to reflect a changing world. They just do whatever the hell they want knowing that loyalty to their party will keep you in thrall, slavishly obedient to their demands.
I believe in freedom
Freedom to accept or reject party platforms
Freedom to accept or reject party candidates
If a party wants my vote they need to EARN it - each and every time.
All too often people will not vote FOR a party and/or candidate, they merely vote AGAINST another. Fear seems to drive people more than hope.
As long as people are thinking in terms of “Us and Them”, we are pitted against each other for the amusement of the political leaders and those who pull their strings. As long as we are fighting each other, we are not holding the parties accountable.
We need to be united, regardless of political party affiliation.
We are ALL
Hatters
Albertans
Canadians
No matter what the election results, let's get back to supporting each other and
not the political machines that are only out for themselves.
