What is this election about?

In case you missed it, here's a good 30 minute panel worth watching*.  One candidate from each party and a more long-form discussion of what the election is and isn't about.

* I guess my original link didn't turn out and I can't seem to locate the previous one.  My apologies!

The invisible vote

We've heard it time and time again - young people don't vote.

And to a certain extent, it's true.  Young people feel disenfranchised, they see many problems with the political system, they don't feel voting leads to meaningful change, so they don't vote.

And to a certain extent, who can blame them?  Party politics force elected representatives vote a certain way on issues, against their conscience or against the express wishes of local people.

However, the flip side is: if the extent of your political involvement is casting a ballot in each election, is it realistic to expect substantial changes in our political system? Of course not.

If you had a house that needed major renovations, would you show up once a year, put on a coat of paint and leave feeling satisfied? Not likely.

If we want real changes, we must make a real effort.

This story illustrates precisely the problems that arise when a certain demographic doesn't show up at the ballot box: the needs of those people become invisible.

What are political parties promising?  And who is targeted by these promises?

Well for starters - EI and Seasonal workers.  Mostly older folks who have been working in these industries for a long time.  Most younger people can't afford to work seasonally, they have too much debt or the wages aren't high enough / regular enough to support themselves or a family.  Those young people have gone out west.  So their political priorities are invisible.

Moose hunt - An easy promise to make. Will pull well with rural votes, who tend to skew older as well.  But do we really think that the future of NB is suddenly going to be brighter because a few people in orange get to shoot a moose in the fall?  And if our forestry policy destroys their habitat, will there be enough moose to even have a meaningful hunt?

Pensions - Very controversial at the time, although the dust seems to have settled a bit.  Lots of retired teachers could be motivated to go to the ballot box on this.  And guess what - retired people have different priorities than young people.  No disrespect to them, they're within their rights to mobilize on the issue, it has a big impact on them.  But again, young people?  Invisible.

So, there you have it.  To win elections, candidates need to get the most votes.  Period. They are going to tailor their campaigns to win those votes. To do otherwise would be a waste of their time and make them vulnerable to their opponents.

But, by not participating in the political process, even at the most elementary level, ie. voting in general elections, you are effectively telling politicians that you see no need for change, that there is nothing government policy can do to improve your life or the society in which you live, everything is fine, carry on as you were etc. Good job, fellas.

Is that really the message young people in New Brunswick should be sending?

I think not.

Why you should throw gender role stereotypes in the garbage

Well, because they belong in the trash, for starters.

Let me back up a bit.  My husband and I are coming up on our fourth anniversary.  Time sure does fly.

When you get married, there are all kinds of lovely stereotypes people love to foist on you. A random sample of comments I've heard:

"Well, you're old and married now."
"When are you going to give your parents some grandkids?"
"Put that on the 'honey-do' list"
"Your husband will love these recipes"
"Nick can cook?"
"Remember, you're just one little girl"

In our house, we are share the work pretty equally.  For example, yesterday we were both home. I spent the majority of the day figuring out how to build a coffee table out of scrap wood and Nick spent most of the day making delicious tomato soup using our garden tomatoes.

I needed some help with setting up the saw, so he helped me and showed me how to change the paper on the belt sander. I pulled the nails, cut and sanded the pieces myself.

He didn't have any celery so I advised him that the Italian flat-leaf parsley we have on hand would substitute. He made a litre of the most divine soup, using a recipe that has been in his family for three generations. He also made an awesome curry out of leftover beef roast we had in the refrigerator.

We had a great day and got a lot done.  Why should this be a big deal in the 21st century?  In our house, it's really not.  Some days I'm in the kitchen, and some days he is.  Ditto for yard work, construction, gardening, snow shovelling etc.

I encounter a lot of people who make comments about their spouses' proclivities - wives who can or can't cook, and whether that make them 'good wives' or not, husbands who are endlessly messy, and need to be 'trained.' You get the picture.

I find the stereotypes behind these comments suffocating - they are demeaning to both partners and the only purpose they serve is to control men and women's behaviour according to ridiculous norms.

It's important for men to be able to cook and clean.  This is a major contribution to the household and gives the man a feeling of nurturing and also an understanding of how endless these tasks are.

It's important for women to have some experience with tools and saws and heavy physical work.  Because it's exhausting and dangerous sometimes, but seeing your work turn out well is rewarding and builds confidence.

Most of all, being free to do a variety of tasks helps you find new things you like, and helps you appreciate your partner's efforts. I think small things like the division of labour in a household are really big things, and when change like this begins at home, it is extremely powerful. And tasty.

Everybody wins. So ignore the gender-based foolishness and get on with whatever needs doing to make your house a home.