Politics is Like Eggs, When You are Allergic
Rick Mercer does a number on the old political parties in Canada. He compares them to diarrhea-inducing menus, when all you really need is breakfast. Not surprisingly, he has positive things to say about Elizabeth May. Could it be a bit of a pro-Maritime bias showing through? Possibly, but I think it has more to do with the fact that she’s the only party leader with credibility. Why’s that? She’s the only one who hasn’t had a chance to prove the corrupting nature of politics yet, the cynic might reply.
I think her positive leadership has more to do with the fact that she has a life of work under her belt that backs up what she talks about in her party’s platform. She practices what she preaches. She doesn’t own a car or cell phone. Many Canadians would find that baffling (heck, many Africans would find it baffling to hear that a Canadian doesn’t own a cell phone). I don’t think it’s so strange, having just joined cell-users less than two years ago. I also haven’t owned a car more than 4 years of my adult life. Wouldn’t you want a politician who knows how to ride the subway, bus, or train like you do? Someone who isn’t afraid to walk (especially since she got a new hip ;-).
May may be seen as an outsider, or a “fringe party” leader by a lot of Canadians right now. Most Canadians probably don’t even know her name, and that worries me. Because, if the best person in Canadian politics from her generation is shunned into obscurity, this country will be much worse off because of that. If a principled, and caring star like her can’t be chosen by a majority of voters, for public representation, what chance do the rest of us nice guys have? Would you like something besides eggs?
