Was there ever a time we all voted for the candidate we thought was the “best” person for the job?

Maybe! Actually, most of us at one time or another, voted for the party, despite for all intents and purposes we figured that candidate was a certifiable, bozo idiot. We held our nose and marked the ballot. Those were extreme cases, right?

Think about the times we, and our neighbours, figured, “It sure would be nice to see a woman in that job.”

Or, “I think it’s time we had a person of colour in that job.”

“We could use a ‘young’ perspective.”

“Seniors deserve a bigger vote.”

“He must be smart because he runs a good business.”
“It would be good to have a fresh immigrant in there.”
“We need somebody with a family that has been here for generations.”

“She needs the money.”

“He has so much money, he won’t be swayed by greed.”

“He is a lawyer so he must be smart.”

“She is an accountant, so she knows about money.”
“He is a doctor, so he knows about health.”

“He is a machine operator, so he knows what it’s like to work for a living.”

“He lived on the street, so he has life experience.”
I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea. In fact, it isn’t often today people talk about integrity, ethics, doing right and not wrong, or doing what is best for everybody in the long run.

More and more we are electing people who promise us the moon and stars, with some free bus rides and free groceries thrown in. That isn’t so bad when the plan is pay for promises by borrowing the money from our children, or from taxing “the rich,” right? Politicians kick cans down the road? We voters are actually worse!

People do talk about integrity and character. As in most of the talk about character is running an opponent down. Listing their shortfalls. Talking about their behaviour from 30 years ago. Rarely does a person stand and list virtues like integrity and honesty.

So, let’s add reasons to the specifics above. One is “he (she) is a rabble rouser.” In other words, a person who will shake things up. Stir the pot. Wake up the sleepers in the government. Years past, that might or might not get votes. People might like excitement in the movies. Not so much in politics. But these days it seems the crazier the better. It’s becoming an art form.

A married guy with a Nazi tattoo on his chest, and posting half-naked pictures of himself on a sex site is running for United States senator. And so far is in the lead! A pretty-well self-declared communist is now mayor of New York City! 84-year old Bernie Sanders is a millionaire. He runs on a platform of taxing the snot out of millionaires. And wins! Millionaires is half of Vancouver or Toronto homeowners.

In Canada, gripe of the day is separatism. So fair to ask, which is crazier?

Staying in Canada or leaving it? Is it bad to see maybe five or 10 countries, instead of one, each with kings and queens all in the middle of each, doing what is happening right now?

Quite a show we keep voting ourselves into!

Commentary by Jeff Burgar