This is far from a political blog, and I don't foresee much political commentary here. Having said that, as a Canadian, I would be remiss if I didn't say something about last night's federal election. Canadians are often known as a timid bunch. If you look at the Prejudice Map (something I came across a few days ago), you'll see the entry for Canada as: "cultural diversity, humility and kindness, liking their beer, being tolerant." Oh, how I wish this post was all about beer...but I digress... With that, the Canadians elected a Conservative government, but as a minority, keeping a fairly short leash on them. Canadians wanted change, and a lot of people were outright ill at the prospect of electing the Liberals (after scandal after scandal after scandal). Eventually, even the tolerant and polite among us could stand it no longer. But still, the leash is held tightly around the Conversatives' necks and now they get to tread lightly in the House of Commons, forming coalitions and brokering deals every step of the way. I didn't vote Conservative. I also didn't vote Liberal. But that's not really the point (except to say I'm trying to be reasonably impartial in this post). I was pleased to see the turn out was a bit higher than last time, but I still think it should be higher. Particularly amongst younger people. You may not care as an 18 year old (or 20 year old, or whatever) about politics, and you might not think it affects you, but it does. The choices you make today impact things 10 years from now when you'll most likely have a car, house, wife, kids, trillions of additional responsibilities, debts, expectations and decisions to make. Just look at the history of it - the Liberals were in power for 12 years and now things have changed. Decisions people made 12 years ago to put the Liberals in power set that party up for 12 years of being in charge. So vote. Each and every single freaking time. Vote. In terms of Paul Martin stepping down: I had a feeling. Why? Well, first because he got his ass handed to him in this election. The Liberals did better than most thought, but he personally took a lot of crap. And secondly, when he didn't come out to give his speech last night until very late (I had already gone to bed) I just had a feeling he was making the decision right then and there. I'm glad Martin's leaving, not because I have any hard feelings against him, but because he represents a party that grew so entitled in their own minds that he could never properly lead them again. On that note, I might as well make some predictions as to what will happen next: * One of the newly minted Conversative MPs will invariable say something stupid about removing rights for gay people, or something similarly racist against ethnic minorities. Admittedly, Harper did control his people extremely well during the campaign, but now that they're in power, I guarantee you he loses the reigns a wee bit and it goes to some people's heads and they start yapping. After all, power corrupts. See the Liberals for more details. * The Liberals will restructure, out with the old, in with the new. Belinda Stronach will not be the next Liberal leader (although she's still an MP and she does take a ton of flack for being a good looking woman in politics and someone that switched parties). I don't know who will be, but Frank McKenna looks like a possibility/front-runner. The Liberals will do reasonably well as the opposition, and after several Conservative gaffs related to the rights of Canadians, the minority will fall (on some non-confidence issue related to budgets) and the Liberals will win a majority. (It will take 2 years since Canadians don't want an election any time soon, and that'll give the Conversatives plenty of time to say stupid things and get caught in bed with their U.S. counterparts. Oh the scandal!) * Jack Layton will not shave off his moustache. He will sign a record deal and cut an album of country & western songs. * Pierre Pettigrew will disappear into a sewer where he came from (sorry, he's slimy and I really can't stand him). * Steven Harper will not learn how to improve his ability to smile. Every time Harper smiles, I can just imagine what it says in his speech notes, or what he's thinking in his mind: "insert smile here". * Gilles Duceppe will continue to rant and rave about Quebec sovereignty. Key topics will be: the fiscal imbalance, Broisbriand and poutine. (PS. Poutine rocks, sovereignty does not. And I've never been to Broisbriand.) PS. Most of the above links were found using Google Blogsearch. Most were the first blogs that came up when I searched for each person's name. I thought the diversity of posts, blogs and commentary was interesting. (Technorati Tags: canada, politics, election)