Upcoming Election Scares Me

I do not usually get into discussions about politics as I believe everyone is entitled to their opinions; after all, we do live in a free country.  With the upcoming election here in Canada, I worry that people have voted and will vote on candidates for the wrong reasons.  It scares me that people are willing to lose everything we, even the unpopular Stephen Harper, have all worked hard for.

I was not raised with a silver spoon in my mouth.  I was taught to work hard for my success, earn my living accordingly and save for my retirement.  I was also taught not to live beyond my means.  In other words, if I can’t afford something, I do without and certainly don’t use credit to buy it.  If I do use credit, it is used sparingly and paid off each month so that no interest is accumulated.  It scares me that people think that the 27 million dollars of taxpayers’ money paid daily for interest on the Ontario deficit is acceptable.  It scares me that the Liberal and NDP candidates think a similar approach for Canada is acceptable and necessary to grow the economy.

It scares me that our once envied health care system is going down the tubes.  The eHealth scandal created by the Liberal government has created massive job losses and salary cutbacks to our health professionals and funding cutbacks for the operation of our Ontario hospitals.  These highly trained professionals will not have much choice but to take their expertise elsewhere. I worry that as I get older and need increased healthcare, it will not be available.  This Liberal approach scares me. Their costly scandals will ruin the country as they are ruining Ontario. The promises made to ensure a win in this upcoming election are dangerous. 

I was taught too that you should be able to afford to raise children if you choose to have them.  I think Canadians should choose and pay for their own children’s daycare, sporting activities etc.  I think welfare should be for those temporarily out of work through no fault of their own.  Welfare was not meant to increase the number of children in a family, increase the social status of a family or stretch over several generations. It was developed to help people in a crisis situation, temporarily.

I was also taught that “good looks will get you the first 5 minutes, after that you are on your own”  What this meant to me is that if you are qualified for a job and good at what you do, it should not matter what you look like.  If your appearance or your last name gets you an interview (or party nomination) it’s what you do afterward that counts.  Who really cares, or who should care that Harper buttons and unbuttons his suit coat over and over?  Who cares, or who should care which politician has the nicest hair?  Who really cares if Trudeau wins he will be one of the youngest to do so?  Who wants the life of the party or a smooth-talking, pot-smoking, pretty boy running our country?

This upcoming election (or any election for that matter) is not a beauty or popularity contest.  It should be about who can best run this great country we live in so that we continue to prosper.  I want to enjoy my retirement without worrying that Canada is in trouble.  I hope I have taught my children the above lessons I learned from my parents.  I want them to work hard for their achievements, but I want them to have a fighting chance that their hard work will pay off for them.

I have voted for Stephen Harper in the past and will vote for him again.  Is he perfect?  Absolutely not.  Does he come across as arrogant and smug?  Sometimes.  Do I always agree with or like his actions and decisions? No, not always.  Does his resume say he has the necessary experience for the job?  Yes, it does.  Does he make tough decisions based on what is best for Canadians and Canada?  I believe he does; that’s why he gets my vote.