Package Deal Baby: Why I Do What I Do And Why I Am Not Out To Annoy You.

As you probably already know, its election time. If you know me at all then you most certainly know that I love politics. It has always been a passion of mine since I was in Grade 6. One of my life goals is to one day serve the public as a politician. It might seem crazy that someone at the age of 11 wanted to be a politician when they grew up, but as children we all once had crazy profession dreams, mine just stuck. Of course when I told my peers or adults about my future ambitions, the response wasn't always positive. People took there disdain towards politics out on me, as if I was going to be able to right the wrong done by the system upon them, when I was only an elementary school student. One time some one said that they should shoot me now, for wanting to do something so 'ridiculous'. It didn't phase me though, I knew then and know now that this is what I want to do. I also understand that not everyone agrees with my beliefs but I am proud of them and I wish to share it with as many people as possible.

Being involved in politics is the only real way to work your way into it. An election is the perfect opportunity to express my true self, possibly my only opportunity to. Organizing and volunteering is what I am good at, so why not in something I love. That's why I have been actively involved in the current campaign.

Campaigning is a very public affair, how else would one share there ideas if not in the public sphere? It can even be aggressive at times, but for myself, I am only trying to show people one of the many paths, the one I think is the best, on which way the country should go. I'll admit people aren't into politics, it's just a fact, but I feel, just like a missionary does, that I should actively try to engage people. Be it through door knocking or facebook status'. Every public tool is an acceptable tool to engage people in there political system, their government, and their leaders.

It might be annoying to see 5 things on your news feed pop up saying why Stephen Harper sucks. People have told me that they find it annoying and don't want anything to do with it and have therefore taken measures to avoid the 'unpleasantries'. Yet facebook is an extension of oneself and for myself I post what I am thinking and doing, just as much as anyone else posts what they are doing or thinking. If it bothers you to see what I am doing, all one has to do is scroll on by, because we all know one doesn't read everyones post that pop up on the news feed. Even if its a wall post, with the power of the internet, simply ignore it if its to hard to bear to look at.

I am not a sports fan of any sort, but people post a great deal of status updates about the Canucks. Do I block their news from popping up or delete them from my friends list, no. The reason is because that is who they are, they love the Canucks and to say they are my friend is to accept they love the Canucks.

The message here is that I am not out to annoy anyone with politics. I am just being myself. Someone who cares about his country and the way it is governed even though it isn't as interesting as a sports team or TV show. I am out to show and share with people what I care about, what I love to do. I hope that you will give me your ear as I speak (or post), just as you have given me your time to read this. For me politics is everything, and I would hate to lose a friend because they were 'annoyed' over my passion that has become most evident during this election.

If You Haven't Seen It Yet, You're Not On The Internet Enough.

Can someone not be on the internet enough?...wait this wasn't what I was going to write about. The title does hold true though if you haven't heard Rebecca Blacks one and only song 'Friday'. By now most people have seen the original and quite possibly two or three parodies (my favourite being Stephen Colbert, Taylor Hicks, and Jimmy Fallon performing it together http://bit.ly/eKcemA ). The video has exploded and has surpassed Lady Gaga, the former queen of youtube music video hits.

People do not like the original though!

It has become the butt of jokes, facebook status, and water cooler talk, except how many of us really talk by a water cooler anyways. The songs lip synced, auto-tuned sound came off annoying at first, but over time I have begun to appreciate the song. Just like I appreciate Willow Smith, who enjoys whipping her hair back and forth.

The song isn't as awful as I once thought and at times I have found myself listening to it again and again. There is no god damn rational argument I can say in favour of the song, except that it sounds better than someone screaming and having their intestines pulled out of their mouth.

Where am I going with this you might ask? Don't worry I asked the same question and don't really have an answer. If I had to have a message I would say is to blast any annoying song you like loud and proud!!! Sing along and dance like a fool to it!!!....because someone has to enjoy it. Most of all, the money made from her song in particular is going to Japanese relief efforts. Help a child in Japan and listen to 'Friday' by Rebecca Black, you might even like it.

Why it is very important

It was under a year ago the HST was announced. The tax would increase the cost of a number of goods that many of us have felt. The outrage was phenomenal with the Premier having to step down over the controversy. Even though it wasn't part of the campaign, did those complaining vote? I am sure a large number of them did, but with the turnout being one of the lowest, I am also sure a number of people didn't vote.

Students feel their debt load at university is soaring, but the amount of youth who vote between the ages of 18-24 is deplorable with only 30% doing so.

Overall the number of registered electors who actually cast votes now hovers around 60%, which is quite shocking. Yet we all complain that government has failed us in some way and though no government is perfect, elections allow us to choose the most favorable. If you vote, they will listen! Don't let the idea of none of the parties sharing 100% of the same ideas fool you. If the green party grew in size, or even votes, the other parties would shape their platform to have more environmental initiatives.

But what if the people you vote for don't get in, and Canada has a government with completely different values? If you voted than you have every right to complain, protest, and fight back. But if you don't vote you throw away your strongest tool!

It is especially important for the young to vote. As I read on facebook wall last week, "You wouldn't let your grandparents choose who you date, so why do you let them choose your government?"

I am not asking people to vote for any particular party (Read all their platforms from Liberal and Conservative to the Western Block Party and the Communist party) I am just asking that you vote!

The 2011 Federal General Election will be on May 2nd, find your riding, candidates, and voting locations at http://www.elections.ca/scripts/pss/FindED.aspx?L=e