Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

I listen to Zed 99 in Red Deer, especially on the drive home (for a total of like 7 minutes) b/c I like the two deejays - Drock and Daniels. Chad Daniels is a guy around my age, and he's a pretty good voice and the chemistry with the two guys makes me smile. But today, he disappointed me. Today he said he wasn't going to vote.

Now, I've heard the arguements that this election isn't going to matter. And by all indications we will probably end up with another Tory minority and go to the polls yet again in 2 more years (or less). The race in Red Deer is a foregone conclusion.  I'm hearing from everyone that they are fed up with the antics in Ottawa or Edmonton or Washington DC. People want change. People may disagree with the type of change they want, but they still want it. But without expressing our voice in and outside of the campaign, this just becomes grumbling. Without quality candidates running for the parties, incumbents walk right past the post and into the House of Commons.

But elections have a way to surprise us. It is the people's voice after all, and if enough people speak up, they will be heard. But instead, people are looking at this election as a waste of time. It could be an opportunity. It could be an opportunity to tell the status quo that we are not happy. But instead people are sitting on the couch instead, more interested in the playoffs than the future of health care, or ethics in government, or the environment.

So, here is to Election 2011 - a self-fulfilling prophecy!