I’ve got a degree in political science. Today is the day I’ve decided not to vote.
As I write this, the advanced polls are open today, April 18, and guess what? Not a single major federal party has yet released a costed platform. That is deliberate and unacceptable. I’ve decided to take a serious position and not vote.
The Green Party, which did release its platform, actually has some decent ideas on national security. Surprising, right? But I can’t help but think the childish Conservative Party might be the slap in the face we need to shake things up. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not happy about it, but I can’t ignore it. On the flip side, I’m done with the Liberals, 10 years of style and zero substance? There is a serious and credible threat to our sovereignty, and the party is concerned about firearm control. Please explain that to me? And the NDP? Love the principles, but where’s the vision?
The thing is, no party gets my vote right now. This whole election is a dumpster fire. Shelter is treated like some luxury product, and the cost of living has absolutely wrecked a generation. You want to talk about capital gains tax on the homeowner class? Nah, let’s just pretend that’s not a thing. Oh, and a prime minister says the United States might try to annex us? Where’s the civil defence force? Who is protecting our sovereignty? If you think our military is capable of that, you are wrong.
I could keep going, but what’s the point? Many will say I can’t complain. Some will suggest I get involved. No, thank you. On top of my irrelevant university degree, I spent over two decades in government as an Infantry soldier and special forces operator. I’ve seen enough to know that you can’t fix a broken system unless people are calling it out for what it is. Brené Brown says it best: “Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It’s about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest.” I choose to call out this election as dishonest.
So, at this point, let’s put everything into education. If we want democracy to actually work, we need to make sure people aren’t set up to fail. Teachers? Yeah, they’re the real MVPs here. If we don’t start paying attention to them, we’re just one step away from becoming a full-blown ideocracy like our neighbours to the south.
Logan Spiegel
Squamish
