What Are You Voting for Canada?

PEJ News - C. L. Cook - Tuesday, January 24th, 2006 is the date marking the end of the confederation formally known as 'Canada.' Regardless of Monday's election results, Canada is, in 2006, heading for profound change. The four century dream, for some, of continental integration is near fruition, and neither of the front-running parties opposes that. So, what are You voting for, Canadian?

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What Are You Voting for Canada?
C. L. Cook

PEJ News
January 22, 2006

It's all formality. Assuming the machines are not rigged, a tall order in what passes for "democracy" today, Tuesday will see a Canadian government sworn in dedicated not to serving the best interests of the country and its citizens, but to fulfilling a two thirds finalization of the centuries old effort to consolidate the continent under Washington's control.

Yes, the United States has held de facto power over both Mexico and Canada for most of those nation's respective histories, but political sovereignty has, until Tuesday, been an arm's length arrangement affording an element of vexing unpredictability to America. But, this is now done. Whether PM Paul Martin, or Stephen Harpy, we are to be delivered into the "Washington Consensus."

Today, the news is of thousands of Canadian soldiers heading off to Afghanistan. Afghanistan, the once tag line of a joke, roughly translated as: "What do the voters care for Afghanistan?" Well, voter, what do you care about Afghanistan?

Or Haiti, for that matter?

Yes, the vyers will tell you We the people of Canada should be very concerned about democracy and freedom in the far-flung regions. We should be happy to send our children into the maw of war and insurrection for the good of all. But, what good is there to come of the enforcement of Amerika's burgeoning empire?

Democracy is a thing of the past.

It was a great idea, pity no-one tried it.

So, you're left to march down to the booths tomorrow, to mark your X and choose which Viceroy you'd serve. This is the first election, and I assiduously vote at all levels, where I've seriously thought of spoiling my ballot. When the major players all agree: "Canada is done," who does a Canadian elect?

The Canadian Action Party (CAP) voices all the things we should be concerned about, yet their presence is relatively miniscule. Certainly, a vote for them equals despoiling; but, what's left to do?

Today, the news reports: One of the Canadians damaged in the suicide bombing in Afghanistan the other day will not be returning as scheduled to Canada. They've sawed off the remnants of his leg, but there are further complications.

"Suicide Bombing"

Can anyone here really understand what it means for a person to throw their life into the death-fire and destruction of a suicide attack? Do you realize what it means to support a candidate willing to pitch our children into an environment where their presence is so despised someone else's child is willing to commit this kind of act?

Stephen Harpy and Paul think it worthwhile. Jack Lay-down doesn't want to talk ahout it.

According to a friend, when interviewing Mr. L., and asking about the New Democrat position on Canada's miring in Afghanistan, the estimable gladiator for justice simply referred him, an accredited journalist, to speak to someone else.

Great.

Transit Tubes

Transit tubes are the neoprene cases the remains of blown apart soldiers are shipped home in. "Body Bag" is considered a little passe in military-speak these days; too many connotations of past disasters, I expect. There are sure to be more of these dreadful harbingers shoring up in Canada. And, if the reports of the Conservative's desire to more ably serve U.S. designs is true, those tubes will be departing theatres of war in Iran and Syria soon too.

Are You O.K. With That?

Remember please, my fellow Canadian, we are allowing ourselves subsumed by a distinctly Fascist ideology. Austria-like, we are choosing tomorrow, for the greater part, which enabler of this dastardly program We will enable.

So, get out and have your voice heard.

Chris Cook is a contributing editor to PEJ News, and hosts Gorilla Radio, a weekly public affairs program, broad/webcast from the University of Victoria, "Canada." You can check out the GR Blog here.