Countdown to destiny
Tomorrow, we vote. Most of us. There are so many rules: are you old enough, have you lived here long enough, can you make an X? Sometime tomorrow evening (not too late, as I need my rest) we should have a result that allows declaration of the next government. Right now, with 26 out of 27 ridings being contested, and a minimum of three parties, almost any result is possible. However…
We have a FPTP system. Have had for as long as most people can remember. And the mathematics underneath allow for a party to achieve power without achieving a majority. Yes, it’s complicated, and we also have a referendum, concurrently. However that plays out, tomorrow will be calculated using the system currently in place. I wish it were otherwise.
Meanwhile, today was a holiday. No postal services, no civil services, but retail rocking right along. They had taken a longish weekend, so it seems fair to allow those who can to earn money. I paid my snow removal bill for the season, and then we headed off to the city to shop.
On the list of needs, a better mobile phone plan. As a side stream, I now have the “old phone” along with a “new number”, in case I ever need to call for milk. I’m not someone who yearns to yack, but I’ll accept that my needs are not always a priority. However, my hat (I don’t actually have a hat, but no matter) is tipped to the staff of the cubbyhole phone store. Those folks know their game, and can find a dozen ways to make incomprehensible mobile plans meet the need. No speed sell. No rush. We had their full attention for the time needed (most of the afternoon). Never a complaint, or a “wish you were gone from here” sigh. Just devotion to their trade.
