March Challenge - Day 23: More election promises - still blah

So both the Liberals and NDP unveiled a campaign promise today. The Liberals focused on education, the NDP focused on credit card debt.

The Liberals plan, wrapped with a ribbon and called the "learning passport" gives $1000 a year to any student's RESP when they are between the ages of 14 to 17, and would be paid out during each year at college/university. For low income families, that amount is $1,500.

The NDP unveiled their plans to slash credit card interest rates in an effort to cut down consumer debt. This promise would effectively ban high interest rates, cutting it down to close to 5% above prime compared to the 19 - 21% banks currently charge.

Both plans are interesting and certainly appeal to a core voter group - families. Families with kids they have aspirations for to go to post-secondary education. Families with debt.

The trouble with the Liberals' plan is that while $1000 helps, it doesn't address the crippling student debt a large majority of students will have to take on to pay for the rest of the cost that the $1000 does not cover. Rather than the $1000 handout, why not address the student loan system and provide incentives to pay back the loans faster, programs for students struggling to find work after they leave school so that they can pay more manageable parts of the loan? Perhaps restructuring the student debt payment program would be more beneficial to students rather than giving them a handout as you're in a way teaching them financial responsibility - for every loan you take out, you must pay back. But give them the leniency that they need so they don't default. The cost to this program? $1 billion a year. I would say, take that money and do a complete restructuring of the student loans system and you'll see a greater return.

The NDP promise is interesting - and noble. Credit card interest rates are insane. However, you put a cap on the banks, they'll find another way to get money from consumers. And let's address the bigger problem in the first place. Too many people have too many cards. Cap limits on cards. Cap the dollar limit on those cards so that people aren't taking out more than they make. It's not cost of living that is driving people into credit card debt. It's irresponsible spending based off of no limits set in place for credit card acquisition. Interest rate caps aren't the problem. People who are in debt will continue to be in debt regardless of the interest rate.

So again, two smoke and mirror promises. 0 points to any of the parties so far.

March Challenge - Day 22: Open Letter to Olivia Chow - Let Elizabeth Speak

Dear Ms. Chow,

I am one of your constituents in Trinity-Spadina and I was outraged to hear that your party took such a lacklustre stance in the decision by the media consortium's decision to exclude Green Party Leader Elizabeth May from the leaders' debates. By not taking a stand and asking the networks to allow the leader of a legitimate national party to join the debate, you are in fact chipping away at the democracy you constantly say you defend.

When your leader Jack Layton said that he is ready to go head to head against Stephen Harper to become the Prime Minister of this country, he failed to mention he was too good to go head to head with other leaders who stood a chance of challenging his candidates in key ridings. Is he afraid that Ms. May and her party could pose a serious threat to your party in future elections because your parties share such similar ideologies? Is that why he's willing to compromise democracy and make sure that Canadians do not have an opportunity to listen to another party who has a legitimate right to be heard?

The Greens are running the same number of candidates as all three major parties. In fact, it's running over 200 more than the BQ, yet they have a seat at the table. The Greens received 6.8% of the popular vote last year - 3% shy of the BQ and about 1/3 of your party's popular vote. This showing should at least guarantee them a seat at the table.

As a female MP, I'm sure one of your interests is to see more women represented in the HoC. Pressure your leader to take a stand and get Ms. May into the debate. Let the only female leader of a major Canadian political party speak and get her party's platform out for Canada to see. Give her the same shot your party has.

Thank you for your time.

March Challenge - Day 21: First Campaign Promise Fizzles

So the Conservatives were the first to lay down a campaign promise today, one that really isn't important to me, but important for any family with two parents - income splitting.

For couples with kids under the age of 18, they can split up to $50,000 in income, allowing 1.8 million families a savings of approximately $1,300 a year. This $2 billion dollar tax cut that impacts about 20% of the population (if not less) comes with two big ifs...

(1) The Conservatives win a majority.

(2) The Conservatives can balance the budget.

While the first point is a possibility (with 12 seats away from a majority, gains in Quebec and Ontario can make all the difference), the second is a laughable condition. With it's own predictions during last year's budget that they won't be able to eliminate the deficit well until after 2015, they'll be well on their way to planning another election before this tax cut can kick in.

For a tax cut that is both unrealistic and doesn't help those single-income families that could use a tax cut the most, you get an F on your first campaign promise.

March Challenge - Day 20: Make your own Friday video Madlibs

If you are not one of the people who've contributed to Rebecca Black's close to 60 million views of her "hit" song "Friday," where have you been this past week?

For those of you looking for Youtube Superstardom, here's an easy plug and play formula / mad libs to star in your own day of the week video:

(mix of ohhs, ahhs, yeas, and hmms)

(insert time), waking up in the (noun).

Gotta be (adjective), gotta go (place).

Gotta have my (noun), gotta have (noun).

Seeing everything, the time is (verb).

Ticking on, and on, everybody's (verb).

Gotta get down to the (place). Gotta (verb) my (object).

I (verb) my (pl. object)

(Verb) in the front (noun), (verb) in the back (noun).

Gotta make my mind up, which (noun) can I (verb)?

CHORUS

It's (day), it's (day), gotta (verb) on (day).

Everybody's looking forward to (noun), (noun).

It's (day), it's (day), gettin' (verb) on (day).

Everybody's looking forward to (noun), (noun).

(Verb), (verb), yea! (x2)

(Expression), (Expression), (Expression), (Expression), looking forward to the (noun).

(New time), we're (verb) on the (noun).

(Verb) so fast, I want them to (verb).

(Expression), (expression), thinking about (expression).

You know what it is.

I (verb) this, you (verb) this. My friend is by my (place).

I (verb) this, you (verb) this. Now, you (verb) it.

(Verb) in the front (noun), (verb) in the back (noun).

Gotta make my mind up, which (noun) can I (verb)?

(repeat chorus)

Yesterday was (day). Today is (day). We we we so (verb). We so (verb).

We gonna have a (noun) today.

Tomorrow is (day), and (day) comes afterwards.

I don't want this (noun) to (verb).

RAP SOLO - please recruit creepy looking rap artist driving a moderately priced vehicle, preferably a Honda or Toyota. As it is rap, the artist has freedom of expression.

(repeat chorus) x2

AND YOU'RE DONE! Well on your way to being a Youtube wonder!

PS - I noticed the word FUCK fits perfectly throughout the song. What a versatile word.

March Challenge - Day 19: You can't be serious

So our first election issue is talk about whether or not a coalition will happen after the election. So all parties are preparing for a minority government (again). Proof once more that this $400 million boondoggle will make Canadians even more furious and stay home this election.

Please guys, let's talk about things Canadians are worried about:

- Health Care

- Economy and job creation

- Lower Taxes

- Urban transportation infrastructure and funding

Maybe that way, you'll get the majority you want as opposed to a minority that we're surely to get if we don't talk about important issues.

March Challenge - Day 18: How to be an asshole during Earth Hour

This will be my third year participating in Earth Hour - during this hour, I'll be wandering the streets of Toronto taking pictures of normally lit hotspots going dark like Yonge and Dundas Square. For those of you who are unfamiliar with what Earth Hour is all about, it's to raise awareness about how much energy we use and what one hour of not utilizing electricity would do.

Last year, I got into an argument with two of my friends, one of whom does not believe in Global Warming (which I consistently remind him that Global Warming has now been rebranded as Climate Change - still no dice). Their argument - what's the point of Earth Hour since the electricity has already been generated? True - the electricity that is "saved" during Earth Hour has already been generated and if not used in that Earth Hour, would be used at a different time. However, turning off the lights helps in two ways: (1) Generating awareness on how much energy we use, some of which is unnecessary and (2) through that awareness, if it motivates people to use less energy, then the electric companies won't have to generate as much in the future. It's like getting rid of plastic bags - sure, the plastic bags are already made, but if people stop using them, grocery stores order less, which in turn makes manufacturers produce less.

Doubtful I'll ever be able to change my friends' views, however, I realize that there are still many ways for people to be an asshole during Earth Hour even if they don't turn on their lights at home. And here's how:

(1) Hum some Lionel Ritchie as you bathe.

It's dark, so what's more soothing (and possibly romantic) than to take a nice bubble bath with candlelight. Of course, you'll want to unload the dinner you just had - make sure to flush two or three times, as it's dark and you don't want to have the stench of pork and beans filling up your bubble bath environment. Make sure to make the water extra hot - you don't want to have the water go cold during your relaxing bath. Note: a bath uses about 3 - 5x more gallons of water than a shower - the bigger the tub, the more water you waste.

(2) Furnace, full blast - engage!

It's fucking cold outside, even for March. And in the dark, even snuggling under layers of blankets won't get you warm. So why not turn the furnace to full blast? This way, you can also share your heat with others in the building also observing Earth Hour. You're friendly and thoughtful.

(3) Canadian Idle.

So you're bored after your bath and snuggling under the blankets, you want to go outside for some fun! Forget public transit, you only have an hour - you don't want to be waiting at a bus stop for the majority of your time just so you can share a vehicle with commoners. Jump into your H3, go over to your local gas station, fill the tank and drive to some lookout point and idle that baby as you observe Earth Hour from a vantage point. Boy, the city does look beautiful all dim, especially when you have your highbeams pointed right at it.

(4) Grocery Shop til you Drop.

Go to your local grocery store. Buy a lot of exotic and imported food (you're so cultured and supporting people thousands of miles away!) and also plenty of items in non-recyclable containers. Go home and immediately throw all that food into the garbage. You don't need all those calories - what were you thinking?

(5) Shotput that trash.

Immediately take all of the packaging from your grocery shopping adventure and chuck it over your balcony. If nature's so great, it'll take care of it.

(6) Burn, baby burn.

Gather your leftover gas from your Hummer excursion, cut down some 100 year old trees in your neighbourhood and start a giant bonfire to bring the community together - hey, I know some great pagan ritual dances that will really get the party started.

(7) Chemical brothers and Expired Medicine - no, I'm not headed to a rave.

It's time to get rid of all those harmful chemicals in your cabinets and throw away all that expired medicine. What better way than to pour it down your drains and flush it down your toilets so that it helps clean up our water supply. Estrogen pills go bye bye - we all want bigger boobs right? This way, you're sharing the wealth with everyone as they sip our tap water.

(8) Clubbing - seal clubbing.

Okay, this might be difficult in major urban centres (unless you live by a zoo) but there's nothing more fun on a Saturday night than to beat some defenceless animals to death. Don't let their cute faces deter you. I believe a certain issue of German People magazine in 1937 voted Hitler as the Sexiest Man Alive...and we all know how he turned out.

(9) Timber!

So an hour might be pushing clear cutting a large swath of forest, but not if you get hundreds of like minded people involved. Teamwork makes things work faster. Plus, you'll have all the wood you need for activity #6.

So I've run out of activities one can participate in - but nonetheless, you get the point. You can still be a douchebag during Earth Hour, but hopefully we're all smarter than that. Be a part of the global movement and understand our actions have a big impact on others. By changing our daily routines, we can make a difference, and if by turning your lights off for one hour helps you turn off more lights throughout the year, well, then the Hour has helped.

PS - read a great article in Fast Company about companies participating in Earth Hour. Really - can't they make more of an effort. It's just an hour.

March Challenge - Day 17: Another fucking election...

Okay, I've been terrible this week at posting any entries. Since Sunday, I've been lazy and haven't posted anything. That will change this week.

This week, Ottawa has been abuzz with talk of an election and today, it was confirmed - the government was defeated in a historic vote in which they were found in contempt of Parliament. Great, we have a government who has been labelled liars by the opposition - the result is a $400 million boondoggle for an election that will produce what will be another minority government (party to be determined).

This will be the four time Canadians head to the polls since 2004 - four elections in seven years makes for very grumpy voters, especially considering the 24 years before 2004, Canadians headed to the polls only six times. If the cost of an election is truly $400 million, we've spent $1.6 billion - that money could have been better spent for social programs or needed tax cuts for lower income families.

Albert Einstein famously stated that the definition of insanity is doing something the same way over and over again and expecting a different result. This is a perfect description of this fourth election. There are so many things that are the same from the last election in 2008 that Canadians should not be surprised that we get yet another minority government this April.

What's the same you ask?

(1) Same guys running the show - Harper, Duceppe, Layton, May...are we back in the election of 2008 again? The only leader change up has been Dion to Ignatieff, which in my opinion is trading someone incoherent and boring for someone who's just boring. How will one decide between such uninspiring leaders? I mean, you have one candidate who's party was just found guilty of lying to Parliament, another who's party's motto is "go fuck yourself if you're not from Quebec", and one who's struggled in the last three elections (and several by-elections) to try to even get a seat in the house. It's time Canadians demanded a change at the top of each of these parties - boot Harper, Iggy, Layton and Duceppe (well, I'd say boot Duceppe's party altogether) and ask for fresh talent that inspires Canadians to care about politics.

(2) It's doubtful any of the platforms are going to be anything inspiring. In elections where the parties have a feeling that there might be a minority government, a strange phenomenon occurs - rather than heading up bold and aggressive party platforms that would likely motivate people to vote in your party as a majority, parties revert to safe platforms that barely rock the boat, which ultimately causes a minority. I hold no high hopes for any big policy proposals from any parties. What would I like to see a party have in their platform?

- how to overhaul the failing Canadian health system by investigating how private health care can play a bigger role in helping to improve services and reduce procedure waiting times

- a focus on supporting our big cities by developing better transportation infrastructure

- incentives for companies to go green and a more aggressive plan for the environment portfolio

- tax cuts for small and medium enterprises as they are the ones who will provide the job creation in many communities

(3) A lack of cooperation from any party to work together. With five major parties set to fight it out, it's likely none of them will get a majority, which means that from the get go, parties should at least look to one another and say alright, how can we work to form a majority? Many might remember my staunch disapproval of a coalition between the Liberals/Bloc/NDP back in 2008, and say, why the change? The difference here is that the coalition was proposed after the election in a bid to steal power. If a coalition started out during an election, at least people know what they are voting for.

(4) Voters won't be showing up. People are tired and the latest round of shenanigans on Parliament Hill isn't impressing anyone to show up to the polls to make sure things change. Politicians are to blame for making voters fatigued, voters are to be blamed for not standing up and saying enough and firing these jokers who've made our government so unworkable for four years. Then again, you're not really firing them because it's the same people at the helm.

In any case, things won't be changing anytime soon. I look forward to seeing what the parties have to throw at each other in the coming weeks.