I know I'm not using this journal these days, but I wanted to talk about something important today, because it needs to be passed along. People need to start talking about this, because right now no one knows about it.
I'm talking about the upcoming Ontario Referendum.
Non Ontarians can ignore this.
My fellows Ontarians, however --I urge you to talk about this. Whatever your views or position. No one seems to know what this referendum is about and it is IMPORTANT. It could change the face of Ontario politics.
On October 10th, in addition to casting your vote, you will be asked to vote on a single question. The question is as follows:
Which electoral system should Ontario use to elect members to the provincial legislature?
You will be given 2 options:
Option A: The existing electoral system (First-Past-the-Post)
or
Option B: The alternative electoral system proposed by the Citizens' Assembly (Mixed Member Proportional)
Sadly, few people know about the alternate system proposed. And Elections Ontario is doing relatively little to inform the public about this system. Why? It hurts Ontario's two main political parties (the Conservatives and the Liberals).
( and explanation of each system and why it should matter to YOU )
As you can see, then, there are good and bad points for both systems. I myself will be voting in favour of a mixed member proportional system. I am tired of this province (and country) being run by the Conservatives/Liberals. I think it's time for some new blood. Some new ideas.
You, of course, can decide for yourself, but please, be informed. Know what they're asking you. Know the consequences of your answer.
Once you are informed, spread the word. Tell your friends. Tell your family. Tell your co-workers. Tell a stranger on the street. Tell everyone you can, because the government's not going to do it, and they're not going to let the media do it. They do not want this change. The people, however, do.
More information can be found here.
I'm talking about the upcoming Ontario Referendum.
Non Ontarians can ignore this.
My fellows Ontarians, however --I urge you to talk about this. Whatever your views or position. No one seems to know what this referendum is about and it is IMPORTANT. It could change the face of Ontario politics.
On October 10th, in addition to casting your vote, you will be asked to vote on a single question. The question is as follows:
Which electoral system should Ontario use to elect members to the provincial legislature?
You will be given 2 options:
Option A: The existing electoral system (First-Past-the-Post)
or
Option B: The alternative electoral system proposed by the Citizens' Assembly (Mixed Member Proportional)
Sadly, few people know about the alternate system proposed. And Elections Ontario is doing relatively little to inform the public about this system. Why? It hurts Ontario's two main political parties (the Conservatives and the Liberals).
( and explanation of each system and why it should matter to YOU )
As you can see, then, there are good and bad points for both systems. I myself will be voting in favour of a mixed member proportional system. I am tired of this province (and country) being run by the Conservatives/Liberals. I think it's time for some new blood. Some new ideas.
You, of course, can decide for yourself, but please, be informed. Know what they're asking you. Know the consequences of your answer.
Once you are informed, spread the word. Tell your friends. Tell your family. Tell your co-workers. Tell a stranger on the street. Tell everyone you can, because the government's not going to do it, and they're not going to let the media do it. They do not want this change. The people, however, do.
More information can be found here.
I know what you're thinking. It's been two days and I haven't commented on the Liberal Leadership race. I am a bad politicking fangirl. Technically, I'm not a Liberal, so who they elect as leader shouldn't matter much to me. Still, they will (although, possibly not anymore) eventually rule this country again, so it probably should matter.
And no, I don't think Stephane Dion was a good choice. Personally, I have nothing against the guy (although he's certainly no Bob Rae --and no, I'm not NDP biased, really), but he's an old guard Liberal, and the Conservatives are going to have a field day with that. He can't beat Harper (he can't) and I would have preferred they elected someone capable of doing that. I don't want a Conservative majority in the next election. I don't even want another minority. I want the Liberals back in power (with a strong NDP showing) and I don't think the country is going to vote Dion's Liberals back into power. I just don't.
I didn't like Ignatieff, but he's capable of beating Harper. Rae would have been my choice, and he's respected enough across the country that he could have done it (depending on Ontario's mood, of course). For purely personal reasons, my second choice would have Brison, but I don't think Canada's ready to vote in an openly gay Prime Minister. The final tally, then, left me feeling rather bleak about the future prospects of politics in Canada. I suppose I could be wrong. I rather hope I am, actually.
Anyway... In other unpopular news, look, it's a SH review.
( SH and the Spider Woman )
And no, I don't think Stephane Dion was a good choice. Personally, I have nothing against the guy (although he's certainly no Bob Rae --and no, I'm not NDP biased, really), but he's an old guard Liberal, and the Conservatives are going to have a field day with that. He can't beat Harper (he can't) and I would have preferred they elected someone capable of doing that. I don't want a Conservative majority in the next election. I don't even want another minority. I want the Liberals back in power (with a strong NDP showing) and I don't think the country is going to vote Dion's Liberals back into power. I just don't.
I didn't like Ignatieff, but he's capable of beating Harper. Rae would have been my choice, and he's respected enough across the country that he could have done it (depending on Ontario's mood, of course). For purely personal reasons, my second choice would have Brison, but I don't think Canada's ready to vote in an openly gay Prime Minister. The final tally, then, left me feeling rather bleak about the future prospects of politics in Canada. I suppose I could be wrong. I rather hope I am, actually.
Anyway... In other unpopular news, look, it's a SH review.
( SH and the Spider Woman )