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EXCERPTS
Stephen Harper has whispered into my ear the same thing he whispered into yours. He will try to purchase my vote for $1,200 a year in the form of a child care credit. Such pillow talk from Charmboy. Would I be swayed if my child were eligible?
Not on your life.
Elections bear a striking resemblance to every relationship I've had that I've tried to break away from. They wait until you've made up your mind, and then the cavalcade of compromises begins.
"I'll be nice to your mother, I'll pick up my socks, I'll quit drinking, I'll stay off the computer, I'll bring you flowers, I'll call when I'm going to be late, I'll recognize all the little things you do, I'll stay out of peeler bars ..."
It never lasts. You know that. Politicians have been dumped so many times they have this patter of promises down to a fine art. But just like real life, you have to dump somebody three or four times before it takes.
It's not that we're hopelessly stupid, it's that we're stupidly hopeful.
But I totally resent when they use children and children's issues as their lever. I'm sick of being told if I work, by choice or by necessity, that my children deserve less than the best. I'm tired of their pitting families against each other. Every child deserves the best possible start regardless of the circumstances of their birth.
I want what is best for all of my community, not just my family. After all, my kids are going to marry your kids and go off and have their own kids. That circle-of-life stuff can bite you in the butt if you're not careful.
So, Mr. Harper and anyone else who dangles such nasty bribes in front of me, don't believe for a second you will divide me from other parents as we try to teach our children tolerance, kindness and responsibility.
Don't assign my value on your scale. A few extra bucks in my pocket will not make me richer if it comes at the expense of those who need the most help.
- reprinted from the Hamilton Spectator