Polievre and the election wrinkle

It’s not exactly news that Stephen Harper and his merry band are willing to cut a few corners when it comes to getting democratically elected. It’s also probably not news that the party that has been found guilty on several occasions of major financial shenanigans when it comes to advertisements and campaigning has also found a way to potentially disenfranchise two voter blocks that are most likely to swing to the NDP or Liberals – natives and the young.

New rules put in place are designed to fix the “problem” of people voting with only a voter card, having been ‘vouched for’ by a neighbour or relative. Starting with the anticipated election this coming fall, all voters will have to provide identification that proves not only the name of the voter, but also their address. In the past, the voter card was considered enough to meet address requirement.

Having been a university student who traveled to another city to attend school, I know that the address requirement can be potentially difficult to prove – picture identification like passports or driver’s licenses are likely to show home addresses, not their current one. New regulations  found here require that all voters provide one piece of photo identification with the current voting address. Lacking that, the voter can opt to provide an  ID with their name and an additional piece of identification with name and address. Included in the list of valid IDs containing the address include utility bills with name and address, personal cheques with address, or income tax assessments.

Please make sure that you can meet these criteria before you head to the polls. I’d bring a few pieces of backup ID just in case something gets rejected for *any* reason.

I Got Nuthin’

I want to post something about Mayor  Guy They Let Wear The Big Gold Chain Rob Ford. Something concise and insightful perhaps, with an underpinning of satire. I can’t because I’ve been reading the latest news on the Rob Ford front. It’s all gone past that now and  the best that I can manage is sarcasm, if I could be bothered.  Robbie, if you’re reading this, it’s not us. It’s you. No one cares any more if you get help but it’s time to go. If for no other reason than because, and I can’t be the only one doing this, you shouldn’t have people opening the daily news sites to see if you’ve had your inevitable stress/rage induced heart attack yet. Also, You’re a crap mayor.

The coalition is alive and well

The coalition that we’ve “enjoyed” for the past while, anyway. The conservatives get to continue destroying our future, while the liberals will continue to make weak noises in the corner. We will continue to see corporate welfare for irresponsible financiers, but no welfare for unfortunate individuals. Ignatieff has just given Harper the green light to continue as though he won a majority. Major infrastructure projects will continue to get logjammed on Flaherty’s desk, all while he points to the pile of money not being spent and claiming that he’s helping us, bless our hearts. We will spin deeper into this recession while sensible western countries start taking steps to claw their way out. We are going to be left far behind our neighbours to the south if Obama is serious about kick-starting a green economy. This is Liberal leadership. Why do people still vote for these spineless weasels?