Passion in Politics

History is being made as I write this message. Barack Obama is about to make his acceptance speech at the Democratic convention. The first African-American to ever be selected to lead his party into a U.S. presidential election. It's a key moment for the United States.

As I watch the packed stadium and all of the excitement, I can't help but be a little jealous. Oh, I'm not jealous of Obama. I'm thrilled to see him leading the Democrats. I'm jealous of the passion I see in that stadium. People are involved. People are excited. People are hopeful.

To my American friends, I'm standing on the outside looking in. From the perspective of a non-American, Obama is the best hope for the U.S. As a Canadian, I can't imagine such passion ever being elicited by any of our federal leaders.

Admit it my fellow Canadians. Can you see anyone dancing and cheering for a speech by Stephen Harper? Or Stephane Dion? Or Jack Layton? Or Elizabeth May? No way, no how! If U.S. voters do the right thing and elect the Democrats, there will be positive change for not only their own country, but for the world. I don't know if the majority of Americans understand that.

Here in the Great White North, is there even a chance to vote for real change? Conservatives or Liberals; what's the real difference once they're in power? Very little seems to differentiate the two. Although, I must admit, I'd rather support Dion than Harper. The Conservative stance against things like gay rights and abortion scare me. Those are personal issues that a government should leave alone.

And I like the importance Dion places on the environment. But I don't think that's enough to really win me over to spark the passion I'm seeing in Denver this evening.

For real change in Canada, there needs to be a massive paradigm shift away from the two leading parties. I make no bones about my choice. I voted Green in the last federal election and I will do so again. Elizabeth May may not be the most dynamic individual, but when she speaks of her concerns for society, for our well-being, for the future and for the environment there is a sincerity that I do not see in the other leaders.

May honestly believes what her party stands for. It may not be enough to rev up my political passions, but it's the kind of honesty and outlook I can appreciate and support. I'm going Green for the federal election. If you're undecided on a party to support, or if you'd to see a change in Ottawa, I urge you to consider being radical and vote for the Green Party.

Perhaps it can be our opportunity to make history as the Democrats make history in the U.S. this evening.