Voting? Why, it's so easy a child could do it!
Choosing a political party isn't simple, though. Viewing how to vote through that lens just distorts things. Not everyone who Isn't Stephen Harper is created equal, and Canada is not going to turn out the same no matter what non-Conservative candidate you elect.
Various strategic voting options are trying to persuade Canadians that this is not the case, because they have a single objective in mind: Stop Harper. A.B.C. is seductive, because it means we don't have to think about this awful election for a single moment longer than it takes to decide you're tossing Harper on his smug ass, and who can argue with the virtue of that? Justin Trudeau, Tom Mulcair... they're all a bunch of politicians, basically the same crooks in different coloured ties, right? You vote for the new crook and they toss out the old crook, and then go back to cheering for the Blue Jays. Everybody wins!
That kind of cynical perspective on politics and government is exactly the kind of thinking that Stephen Harper has spent the last nine years of his odious reign incubating in Canadian minds. It helps people like Harper whenever we make the lazy choice, seizing the knee-jerk answer, failing to consider the facts. Harper has made it his mission to strip Canada of the facts, crippling our government's capacity to gather and make use of actual data (like the census, or the research of government scientists, or irreplaceable historical material) so that he can govern by ideology and innuendo. Can we all agree that this is not something we want for Canada? That we want to turf Mr. Harper for just exactly that kind of sneering disregard for the truth?
All politicians and all political parties are not created equal. An alternative to Stephen Harper is not an abstract idea, it is a choice. And we have several choices to consider. It is our responsibility as voters to consider our choices carefully, not simply show up on election day and drop a piece of paper in a box (though plenty of people can't even be bothered to do that).
Don't vote Anyone But Conservative.
Don't "just vote".
Vote as an informed, involved citizen who knows that voting has real consequences for life in Canada. Vote passionately for a candidate - federal or local - or a party that you feel best represents your interests and those of your fellow Canadians.
Vote for the vision of Canada you most agree with.
Vote and be proud, because you fulfilled your democratic responsibilities and participated in the process, and by God you used your brain to think it through thoroughly and reasonably. And then you can go back to cheering on Josh Donaldson and the Blue Jays.
Informed, considered voters: how do you like them apples, Stephen Harper?
