People aren't as stupid as the politicians think. More and more of us are laughing off our 'civic duty' to vote, rejecting the role of compulsory constituent.
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Politically Correct Politicians Mar 12th 2011
If we had compulsory voting, we would eventually get there,
You are forbidden to think about this or even compare,
Our politicians just love the present first-past-the-post,
Where the combined opposition always have many more votes.
And folks who refuse or fail to vote should get a substantial fine,
On their next year’s tax return which they cannot refuse or decline,
And binding referendums should come up for compulsory debate,
Though the politically correct will always say it’s too late.
And our future deaths-with-dignity should also be discussed,
Assisted suicide will not disappear like a cloud of dust,
If they can do it in Oregon and Switzerland, why not here?
What do politically correct politicians have to fear?
Mar 12th,2011
poem by James Bredin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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THINGS WILL NOT CHANGE Mar 20th,2011
Those who are in power want to stay and want nothing to change,
Therefore no compulsory voting will ever be arranged,
And the first-past-the-post system will remain and stay forever,
So why bother to vote because these politicians are clever?
They are like born aristocrats of old with nothing to fear,
And unread poems on the Internet mean nothing around here,
How dare you even think that things might eventually change,
Because proportional representation cannot be arranged.
Without compulsory voting, we could be compared to sheep,
Merely a herd of people where most of us are half asleep,
Political changes are banned in this big and great land,
Even when people write poetry and there is no demand.
Mar 20th,2011
poem by James Bredin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Things Can't Change In Canada Feb 23rd 2011
Binding referendums do not come easy to any land,
And even in most democratic countries, they are completely banned,
Like compulsory voting - something politicians really hate,
They like first-past-the-post and no equalization debate.
And please don’t rock the boat with all that right-wing Internet stuff,
People might start to think and even vote and then huff and puff,
Because most elected politicians want nothing to change,
You can ask or e-mail or phone but nothing will be arranged.
We have elections now and then but that doesn’t mean a thing,
Half of us don’t bother to vote in this first-past-the-post sting,
Where equalization and referendums are completely banned,
Where multiculturalism has to be stamped on every brand.
Feb 23nd 2011
poem by James Bredin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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STUPID PEOPLE...by Talile Ali
STUPID PEOPLE EVERYWHERE
STUPID PEOPLE WITHOUT A CARE
STUPID PEOPLE WANNA SHARE
STUPID PEOPLE IN MY HAIR
IM IN THE UNITED STATES OF STUPID PEOPLE
STUPID PEOPLE ALL THEY WROTE
STUPID PEOPLE WHO THEY QUOTE
STUPID PEOPLE GET AROUND
STUPID PEOPLE THAT I FOUND
I'M IN THE SQUALLER AND THE WIT OF STUPID PEOPLE
STUPID PEOPLE SO I SWEAR
STUPID PEOPLE I DON'T DARE
STUPID PEOPLE ALL AROUND
STUPID PEOPLE LOST AND FOUND
CAN I GET A BREAK FROM BEING AROUND YOU
STUPID PEOPLE
poem by Talile Ali
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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ONLY HALF THE FOLK VOTE Apr 17th,2011
We should be ashamed of a system where less than half the folk vote,
Something like what a Middle East despot dictator might promote,
The Australians are required to vote or they get fined,
Makes for a more democratic system if you don’t mind.
It seems to me that our politicians are reluctant to change,
We have a perfect democracy, they say, so why rearrange?
Then if only half the people bother to vote, then that’s good,
The parties – not the people have control; is that understood?
And why would our politicians be so reluctant to change?
Doesn’t seem normal to me, in fact it really seems quite strange,
Where less than half the people control who gets elected,
Am I missing something here or am I just not connected.
Apr 17th,2011
poem by James Bredin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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NO NEED TO VOTE Apr 28th,2011
We are satisfied because there’s no need to vote or be involved,
Our politicians will go to Ottawa where it’s all solved,
No need to change or have recall because everything is right,
Though elected Senate and set-date elections would be a delight.
Party politicians don’t need to think as they follow along,
They say binding referendums and death with dignity are wrong,
Compulsory voting for Canadians will not be discussed,
Capital punishment is only mentioned in utter disgust.
What you need on your street is two or three abortion clinics,
Next to the supervised injection site but I’m being a cynic,
The dog is barking and many of us have already left town,
The remainders of us are caught in traffic looking around.
poem by James Bredin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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A Canadian Tea Party
We need control of our Ottawa politicians somehow,
Maybe a tea party or something that we ourselves allow,
We need binding referendums soon but how do we get them?
Trudeau’s Charter didn’t help and the media will condemn.
We need political recall of useless politicians,
I realize that this is contrary to elitist traditions,
We need compulsory voting to get us all out to vote,
They will delay everything and say that they’ll take a note.
And make Trudeau’s Charter of Rights for Canadians alone,
Not for all refugees in the world from every combat zone,
We need set-date elections for sure every four or five years,
Not when they feel inclined because of political party fears.
Oct 12th,2010
poem by James Bredin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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I'm moved to think about the political state of our country right now. Most people who go out and vote have a very clear sense of what's right and wrong. And a lot of those people who don't aren't sure, so they don't go out and vote.
quote by Peter Krause
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Party Bound Politicians July 4th,2012
PARTY BOUND POLITICIANS July 4th,2012
By
James Bredin
Our Canadian politicians are reluctant to change,
If they do they will be immediately told that this is strange,
They are party politicians and not allowed an independent thought,
They have to follow the party line and not be distraught.
Canada should have a system where they have some independence,
And not march in step, completely party bound in their dependence,
We should have proportional representation for those who should vote,
And compulsory votes or added tax so all constituents take note.
Party politics is in many ways like a religious belief,
Those who change are treated as sacrilegious with great grief,
Those who want death with dignity are looked at as pagans or worse,
Supreme Court decisions here will not allow for anything diverse.
July 4th,2012
poem by James Bredin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Sue Rodriguez Forgotten Case Nov 3rd,2012
Sue Rodriguez Forgotten Case Nov 3rd,2012
By
James Bredin
The Sue Rodriguez case, seems to have been long forgotten,
Media moguls and politicians seem to think it was rotten,
She tried to get death with dignity but they refused,
Though appointed judges and politicians did not seem amused.
Because we the people are not allowed government control,
Few set-date elections, referendums or plebiscites on the whole,
No Senate or compulsory votes where death with dignity is banned,
Various religions and bought-politicians think this is grand.
The States of Oregon and Washington have had it for years,
People go to Switzerland to die and avoid the pain and tears,
While Ottawa politicians and aristocrats hide out up there,
Busy avoiding death with dignity and maybe saying a prayer.
Nov 3rd,2012
poem by James Bredin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The presidency itself is not a partisan institution. It’s the one office in this nation that represents everyone and it demands a duty of care for all Americans. That is precisely what I will do. I will work as hard for those who didn’t vote for me as I will for those who did vote for me. Now, every vote must be counted. No one’s going to take our democracy away from us, not now, not ever. America’s come too far. America’s fought too many battles. America’s endured too much to ever let that happen. We the people will not be silenced. We the people will not be bullied. We the people will not surrender. My friends, I’m confident we’ll emerge victorious. But this will not be my victory alone or our victory alone. It’ll be a victory for the American people, for our democracy, for America.
quote by Joe Biden
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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If we meet an honest and intelligent politician, a dozen, a hundred, we say they aren't like politicians at all, and our category of politicians stays unchanged; we know what politicians are like.
quote by Randall Jarrell
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Permanent Bureaucrasy
The permanent bureaucracy takes over though we are agog,
Soon after an election we have to go back into the fog,
And all decisions are arms-length so no one is now involved,
And nothing or no one can change the system to be resolved.
It seems there is nothing we can do about lying politicians,
As they tax and spend and ban binding-referendum conditions,
No compulsory voting where death with dignity is banned,
Elections and appointments and no one seems to give a damn.
Media in league and no questions please, as we get what we deserve,
And why can't we do something about it as we sit and observe?
Is this the reason why only half the Canadians bother to vote?
Or is it because they live out in the woods and are very remote?
Is it possible we could get death with dignity and recall?
I mean recall of pompous lying politicians in the hall,
What about set-date elections which they seem to have forgotten?
Just another item to show them as completely rotten.
poem by James Bredin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Pearl, Merle And Earl And Politics
Pearl, a republican, finds it hard to change.
Merle, a democrat, as usual thinks Pearl is strange.
Earl, is independent minded and politically on the fence.
Pearl whines, “When I hear the liberal crowd, they’re just too loud.”
Merle snaps back, “Pearl, that’s no reason.
Would you vote for Mickey Mouse if he were quiet for a season? ”
Earl joins in, “I’d vote either way for anyone who didn’t say
Something stupid for a day.”
Pearl laments, “I’m worried about where our country’s going.”
Merle agrees, “All politicians argue while our problems keep growing.”
Earl declares, “We, the people, will demonstrate,
Until our government really starts to improve our fate.”
These senior members differ on many issues, but they’re closely bound…
In the belief that “It’s government for the people, not the other way around.”
poem by Gregory Huyette
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Advice To Mr. Michael Ignatieff
I would vote for you if I could see changes and you showed some gall,
But as far as I can see, you will change nothing at all,
And why can’t I vote for a prime minister by name for a change?
And if that’s the job you want, say that this you will arrange.
You have to offer us an alternative in our present trance,
We need binding referendums and recall and this is your chance,
We need compulsory voting so we have to vote and behave,
Because what you are doing, doesn’t change much or even make waves.
Will the election be timed to the arrival of refugee ships?
Should we send out the navy to help them finish their long trips?
And you don’t know if we are going to have an election yet,
We don’t have set-date elections and you are placing your bet.
Jan 21st,2011
poem by James Bredin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Vote For Me
Vote for me, vote for me
I want the nomination for the presidency
Vote for me, vote for me
If I am elected, this is how it will be
Ill cut your tax in half
Ill make the russians laugh
Ill feed the hungry people everywhere
Ill bring the railroads back
New trains and new track
From waikiki to old deleware
Vote for me, vote for me
I want the nomination for the presidency
Vote for me, vote for me
If I am elected, this is how it will be
Ill give detroit one year
New cars that run on beer
Or anything except gasoline
Im looking to the sun
More power for everyone
And the cleanest sky that youve ever seen
Im not going to kid you, theres a lot to do
Little can I promise, its really up to you
But if we all work together
And I think we can
And if you want some new ideas
Then Im your man
Vote for me, vote for me
I want the nomination for the presidency
Vote for me, vote for me
If I am elected, this is how it will be
Ill work for global peace
And the sweet release
Of the love and human kindness in us all
I would give all Ive got
You just give me a shot
Somehow, I know that I can win the fall
song performed by by Chicago
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A Yearly Prime Minister May 5th,2011
A different prime minister should be appointed each year,
He/she should be an already elected provincial premier,
This could avoid party politicians electing their own,
Where many people react with a loud but silent groan.
Senators and Supreme Court judges should also be elected,
In order to establish that Canadians are protected,
From biased weird decisions made by questionable appointees,
Whose words are law and they don’t ever have to appease.
Mandatory set date elections and compulsory voting too,
Could sidetrack a lot of expensive Ottawa hullabaloo,
A simple system of binding referendums should be formed,
So that all the people and politicians could stay reformed.
poem by James Bredin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Brave New World
The police have failed the people;
they don’t protect them on the streets.
The judges have failed the police;
they don’t send the criminals to prison.
The politicians have failed the judges;
they don’t sack them.
The people have failed the politicians;
we don’t vote for someone else.
poem by Brian Taylor
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Go Ask Your Grandmother
When time comes to replace the old,
With new adventures to address...
Those who are much younger,
Aren't familiar with those 'old' days...
Gone to reminisce to remember them,
Blissfully as perfect in ways to embellish...
By those romanticizing what today they miss.
As if they did not take them 'then' for granted,
With a wish to skip over them to dismiss...
As quickly as they came to leave to be gone!
'Grandpa?
How do you remember your childhood? '
~A lot of stupid people doing stupid stuff.
To leave their stupid mess to be cleaned up,
By those stupid enough to do it.~
'But grandma says,
Those were the best times of her life.
And she is reminded of it,
At least two or three times a week.'
~She did?
Well...
She must be talking about those times,
When stupid people weren't around...
To assist us to get you here.
And every moment we can get,
Incredibly enough...
Is still a pleasure.~
'What do you mean by that? '
~Be patient.
You'll discover that on your own.~
'Will I like it? '
~You will.
As long as you don't enjoy too much of doing it,
With stupid people.
I was lucky to find chemistry.~
'I HATE chemistry.
It's too hard.
I sweat through it all the time.'
~That's the only thing that 'still',
Keeps me liking it.~
'What do you mean by that? '
~Go ask your grandmother.
She will agree.
The sweating done is the best part,
To deliver just what is needed.
For us it is.~
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Bad politicians are sent to Washington by good people who don't vote.
quote by William E. Simon
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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