The absurdity of politics

So, I'm seriously considering running for office.

No, I'm not joking.

Okay, this may seem hypocritical, considering that I didn't even vote in the last federal election in Canada; largely for two reasons: 1) There really wasn't anyone in my riding worth voting for, and I take my vote very seriously and 2) Canada's policy of giving $1.75 per vote to parties which earn more than 2% of the popular vote really rubbed me the wrong way. It struck me as undemocratic, and frankly, I just didn't like it.

So, I'm thinking of running as an independent. If nobody'll put up someone worth voting for, I'll try to be someone worth voting for. As an independent, I'm ineligible for the $1.75, so I see no hypocrisy in this course of action.

The real issue I have with politics is that there are too damn many politicians. There are too many people who either blindly follow the party line so that they don't have to think for themselves or have made a life out of pissing off the smallest possible number of people. Just once, I'd like to see someone who has no party line standing at center stage. Someone who knows, realistically, that they're not going to win the election, someone who has nothing to lose going into it, but at the very least has one golden opportunity to make the candidates who just may win address the issues. If nothing else, it'll get people talking; and maybe that's enough.

Seriously, am I the only one who wishes that once, just once, someone would stand in the spotlight and just cut through all the bull? You object to same sex marriage? Fine, don't marry someone of the same sex. You want to pray in school? Do so, but don't expect anyone else to do it. You want to have government-sponsored Daycare? Perfect, it will be made available to those who have or are actively seeking steady jobs; 'cause I ain't paying to take your kids off your hands so that you can sit at home and watch Dr. Phil. Your church opposes same-sex marriage? Great, you'll be thrilled to know that nobody's requiring them to perform such a ceremony. You object to abortion? Fine, nobody's forcing you to have one. You object to stem-cell research? Great, when they cure Alzheimer's, you can deny yourself treatment. You want secede from the rest of the country? Swell; here's a boat and a paddle, France is thattaway. You want land when you separate? Okay, how does Ellesmere Island strike your fancy? You say that allowing gay marriage will open the door to polygamy? Probably true; so what?

Just once, I'd like to see someone running for office speak in a way that isn't calculated to keep from pissing off too many people. I'd like to see someone speak in a way which isn't designed to keep the majority happy. I'd like to see someone running for office not just speak, but actually say something.

Sadly, those kinds of people don't get elected; and realistically, I won't either. But it'll make people talk, and maybe that's enough.

Okay, rant over. I just had to get that off my chest.