my two minute pitch for democracy
- Details
- Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00
- Written by editor
PAOV,
It took about two minutes for me to give my family the rundown on what’s going on with the BC NDP leadership race this fall. I did it while we were sitting around the table at our weekly Sunday Night Dinner.
I don’t usually talk to my family about politics — none of them are all that interested. Some of them don’t even vote. But the leadership race is different. And as I told them about the opportunity... and the outsized impact their vote could have, I actually had their attention.
After my two minute pitch, during which I was interrupted multiple times by my two kids, my dog, and the odd joke about fast ferries and the like, everyone agreed they’d sign up.
I shared the sign up link to our group text the next day hoping they meant it. Today, I’ll be following up to see if they did. The deadline to become a member is this Sunday, September 4 — there’s no time left to wait.
I signed up for an NDP membership last year when I thought Premier Horgan might be on his way out. I was a year too early for what I thought was an imminent chance to pick the next premier. So I just had to renew my membership to make sure I’ll be eligible to vote.
While generally disappointed with the NDP since they took office, I can acknowledge they’ve been pretty standard as far as ruling parties go: they’ve done some things right and some things wrong. But when it comes down to picking a leader who will actually tackle the terrifying threats of food scarcity, burning forests, droughts, old growth protection, Indigenous rights, affordability and my kids’ hope for a decent future, I’d rather it be me, my family and friends who decide.
This is your last chance to get like-minded people signed up to join you in picking our next premier. If there’s anyone you can think of to reach out to, please do it. Here’s a toolkit with sample texts and e-mails you can use – but the most effective message to the people you know and love is usually a personal one.
The leadership race isn’t the only answer to changing B.C. for the better, but right now it’s a pretty damn good one. In two years we’ll have another provincial election. Millions of people will vote, and if there isn’t a change at the top, the government will probably look pretty much the same.
This race for premier is our moment to disrupt. Now is the time to convince your friends and family to pause their grudges against political parties and do what’s right.
Every single ballot will matter.
With hope,
Christina
P.S. This is your last chance to get like-minded people signed up to join you in picking our next premier. If there’s anyone you can think of to reach out to, please do it . Here’s a toolkit with sample texts and e-mails you can use – but the most effective message to the people you know and love is usually a personal one.
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