Watching the news these days is painful. For a while, we in Canada could feel a little smug, what with the political goings-on in the U.S., but we’re in the midst of a federal election right now and I’m in despair.

Justin Trudeau, present Prime Minister, Liberal Party

Andrew Scheer, Conservative Party
The ‘debates’ (a term used loosely) held on TV with the leaders of the various parties vying for power were so discouraging, I turned my TV off with frustration as I cried: ‘A pox on all your houses!’
I hope no one living anywhere else bothered to watch. It was too embarrassing and nothing like what I was taught when I participated on debating teams at school.

Jagmeet Singh, New Democratic Party
It wasn’t only my poor hearing that made it impossible to understand what they were saying, they talked over each other, interrupting and arguing and wasted time referring to errors made years ago instead of discussing the very important issues now facing our country and the world and their plans to improve things.

Elizabeth May, Green Party
What kind of example did they set for our younger citizens? Is such rudeness acceptable???
Where were their heads anyway? I don’t care about what someone thought years ago. We all make mistakes and learn from them and hopefully grow. I’ve certainly changed my own ideas and if I hadn’t, I’d be stuck in the thinking of the 1950s. I imagine and hope they have grown too.

Yves-Francois Blanchet, Bloc Quebecois
C’mon. Let’s stick to the issues. I wanna know what you’re planning to change. I worry about the future: the climate and environment; much needed childcare; making education more accessible for the young; the homeless in our streets; the orcas in our waters, etc., etc. etc.
Let’s concentrate on what really matters.

Maxime Bernier, People’s Party
I am grateful to be living in Canada — it IS a wonderful democracy. I want it to stay this way long after I am gone.
P.S. To be fair, I’ve tried to make all these photos the same size. I’m not too good at it….
HA! You think YOU’RE embarrassed? Look at the THING we have at the helm here in the US!
I know and you, indeed, have my sympathy. Love, Maughm
Hi Muriel,
I am with you on the English language debate and got frustrated. None of them could coherently talk about their platform without jabbing at one another and talking over. It was also the format of the debate where there was not much time given to have a sound debate. I heard that the French language debate was much better.
It is wonderful to live in a country where free speech is valued and democracy upheld. After all, all of them were able to shake hands with one another with big smiles on their faces ( even if it’s fake) and part gracefully. Not many countries in the world can do that.
I am so glad that I live in Canada!
Kind regards, Shermila
I totally agree with you Shermila: I, too, am grateful to be living in Canada. I’m also grateful to have you as a neighbor. Cheers, Muriel
Hi. Rudeness seems to be spreading all over the globe. It must be Donald’s influence.
The Donald isn’t helping matters, but I’m afraid we had plenty of rudeness before him too. People hung and burned effigies of Obama here…it was sickening.
That’s very sickening.
Trump, though, has emboldened plenty of creeps.
No doubt. He has made it okay to be a mysogynistic, arrogant, boorish, close-minded, egomaniacal idiot.
Trump eats it.
I didn’t know that Susan: I’m horrified but not shocked, there is nothing new about racism.
Could be. So much has become acceptable that wouldn’t have been some time earlier. Who knows?
I agree with you and am worried about what our actual Voting and Election will bring us for the next 4 years!! We are so lucky to be living in Canada! I wish we had Leaders that will Lead us Thoughtfully!!
Love Evelyn
On Thu, Oct 10, 2019 at 6:18 PM View from Over the Hill wrote:
> viewfromoverthehill posted: “Watching the news these days is painful. For > a while, we in Canada could feel a little smug, what with the political > goings-on in the U.S., but we’re in the midst of a federal election right > now and I’m in despair. The ‘debates’ (a term used loosely)” >
I feel the same as you do Evelyn: We ARE lucky to be living here. Let’s just hope for the best.
Fond regards, Muriel