The City of Toronto is in the most trouble. It really needs a break. The city and even the province are suffering from hyper-politicossis. It is a rare disease that can happen when too much political activity drives the voters to distraction. Even worse, they take out their frustrations on politicians. With a provincial election, federal by-elections and the longest running municipal election in history, the voters are starting to fray around the edges. After all, if Mayor Ford can take time out to go to rehab, the citizens should also be able to take a few days off.
Even those of us who make a hobby out of the political scene are starting to feel the strain. We have a wealth of material. We no longer plod along hoping that there will be something new to write about tomorrow. We keep writing and find that we have three entries scheduled for two days from now. Some will even publish all three—greatly confusing their readers. Those of us more considerate of our readers try to pick the most pertinent and, hopefully, best written.
But credit for the prolific writing really should go to the politicians—bless them. On the provincial scene, Conservative Leader Timmy Hudak is a goldmine for the progressive writer. He is Ayn Rand, Milton Friedman and Josef Stalin, comfortably rolled into a ball for your easy reading. Ayn Rand was the rabid adventurer of the right who confused millions with her best selling fiction. Milton Friedman was the pragmatist from the right-wing Chicago School and Josef Stalin was the hard case dictator who knew just what was best for you. You might think Timmy is an idiot but he is really those three, comfortably packaged for your derision.
And then there is provincial New Democrat Leader Andrea Horwath. You never know whether that woman is from the left or the right or coming straight for you. She defies labels—other than being the giggling Pillsbury Dough girl. The only problem is you need her for more than laughs. Without a strong vote for Andrea, you end up with a Liberal majority government and what fun is there in that?
Can you imagine four more years of Kathleen Wynne as Premier of Ontario? That is enough to make any truly progressive liberal heave. You would swear that all the silly running that woman is doing is addling her brain. She is the most convoluted image of a premier this province has ever seen.
What was that old commercial: You deserve a break today? All voters should take four really deep breaths and not think about anything political for the next ten minutes. Betcha you cannot do it!
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Copyright 2014 © Peter Lowry
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