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In the aftermath of the election, I found it a little harder for me to come up with something to feel good about this week. Then I realized that it's all a matter of perspective. Instead of being pessimistic and focusing on the fact that the Conservative Party has formed the new majority government, why not be optimistic and applaud the NDP for the huge gains it made to become the new opposition! For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, check out CBC's Canada Votes 2011 site.
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| D'Arcy Island, part of BC's Saanich-Gulf Islands riding that Elizabeth May won. |
Most importantly, I want to feel good because Elizabeth May won her riding in BC. Although the Green Party received far fewer votes nationwide compared to 2008, they now have a voice in Parliament for the first time in history. Let's not ignore how huge this is just because we're busy worrying about what our robotic prime minister will do next!
This is democracy in action, folks, and it's a sign that a growing number of Canadians don't feel that the big boys in red and blue can act with the people's best interests at heart. Nevertheless, we're stuck with a Conservative government, and the next few years will be a little unsettling for those of us with a green mindset, that's for sure. So for encouragement, I leave you with one of my favourite Chinese proverbs: the man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones. When Elizabeth May won her seat in a riding that has been held by the Right for most of the last 58 years, she carried away one of those stones. Let's help carry away the rest!
Photo credit.
