Can we just not? (And I'm not calming down.)

I find myself sitting at the bar, again. Staring at a blinking cursor and blank screen, again.

Because there is so much that I want to say, and it all tries to come pouring out at once. And in the cacophony of thoughts, it’s tough to pull the clarity out. But I’m here, and I’m trying.

We have two days left until Election Day here in Canada, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit scared.

Not because I think that a new party will come into power and everything will suddenly change because that’s not it…I’m afraid of the division, and what we are giving voice to in our country.

I’ve been pretty vocal about my desire for a progressive government, specifically throwing my support behind Jagmeet Singh and the New Democrats.

Yes, I think Jagmeet is the most sincere of the leaders (well, and Elizabeth May…I love her!) and the NDP platform speaks to a lot of the struggles that I’m facing as a millennial, a parent, a woman, and [insert demographic descriptor of choice here].

But more than that, the NDP platform is one that’s rooted in inclusivity. In hope. In taking care of each other. And I care about that, a lot. A lot a lot.

Now. I haven’t always been a left side supporter.

I grew up in a small, conservative Christian community that has been voting blue for as long as I can remember. And as a kid, I remember thinking that every party other than the Conservatives was bad and evil because they supported abortion and only the Conservatives didn’t.

Luckily, I grew up, and learned that voting based on one very polarizing issue isn’t a wise approach because life (and politics) are a little more complicated than that. I wish that things were black and white because it would make choosing that much easier…but they aren’t.

What we see playing out though, when these conversations are so radicalized, is that people are capitalizing on those polarizing issues and using inflammatory rhetoric to create division and make people choose sides. There’s nothing quite like an election around the holidays, right?

But we’re sitting here getting pitted against each other because that’s the path of least resistance. Divide and conquer, to the victor goes the spoils, the working class are suckers, etc.

Can we just, not?

The Conservatives are attacking the Liberals and NDP, the Liberals are attacking the Conservatives and NDP, and the NDP is attacking the Liberals and Conservatives.

Honestly, I don’t know what my pal Liz May is doing, but I’d like to sit down and have a glass of wine with her.

Is it too much to ask for a conversation that doesn’t involve mud-slinging and yelling? Where the rule is to only speak when it’s your turn (should we replace mics with a conch?) and that you can only comment on what your party will do, rather than poking holes at what other parties won’t do. Maybe we can add another round of debate that lets candidates poke holes in specific party platforms and policies, instead of making personal attacks and character assassinations.

And for the love of poutine, can the Conservatives PLEASE stop deliberately running false ads? If your platform has strong feet to stand on, just speak to it. Please.

(I only have 9% battery here so Imma wrap this up and edit later. Maybe.)

I’m definitely biased towards the left. That’s no secret.

But I also don’t think that the people on the right are all evil and trying to do harm.

Believe it or not, we’re all doing the best that we can based on the information and experiences that we have. It just sucks that we aren’t always operating with accurate or honest information.

So. I have no interest in berating people who vote blue. I do ask that you examine what you’re voting for though — not just in terms of what goes into your pocket, but what your vote represents.

If you’ve ever seen yourself as a member of Dumbledore’s Army.
If you’ve ever sided with Robin Hood and Maid Marian.
If you’ve ever believed that you’d hide Jews in your basement during the war.

If you’ve read any history books at all and saw yourself on the side of the oppressed, it’s hard to see any other option than voting progressively. Because that’s a vote for love, for hope, and for your fellow human.

And this last sentence (because I’m down to 4% here) is directed at any of my readers who identify as pals of Jesus:

When I was hungry, did you feed me? When I was cold did you give me clothes to wear? When I was homeless, did you provide me with affordable housing? When I was sick, did you give me prescription medicine?

The only way through is together.

People need people. And taxes.

Because the NDPs plan to pay for the dental care, pharmacare, vision, and CLEAN DRINKING WATER is to tax the rich.

And.

If the plan was to increase my taxes, I'm actually okay with that too. Even if it comes out of my pocket. Because if an extra $500 in taxes over the year means my neighbours don't have to go without their meds, I will happily pay.

And I’m done. For now.