ELECTION? Oh, I thought you said...

An old in-joke between Mike and I.

Today, we voted and will await the results tonight.

As a public servant, I don't believe the public service should be politicized. A good, traditional public servant should support and further the people's will. Consequently, I have worked for and voted all kinds of ways in municipal, provincial, and federal elections. A government needs to be changed when it begins to narrow its agenda too much, when it politicizes public institutions, or when there is corruptions and a sense of entitlement to other peoples' money. The federal Conservatives were soundly and rightly turfed out of public office in 1993, and the current government is in need of just such a humbling. Both governments were out of touch with pressing needs 50 km west of Ottawa. The century has turned; the country is no longer just a French/English, Catholic/pagan mix.

And if a new government can shake up this ancient status-quo, we will be better off. On the other hand, if they too need humbling at a later date, it shall be done.

Radiation Begins

Mike started his 34-session series of radiation treatments on January 18. The radiation technologist took a series of pictures for us; this is one of them. They are very nice there.

Mike is feeling positive and optimistic now. The first day (whenb this picture was taken) we had to drive in through a blizzard and freezing rain - then once into town, Mike realized he had forgotten his wallet, so he dropped me off at work and went back to get it, thinking that they wouldn't take him if he didn't have his health card. Well, when we got there, he offered it and the woman said, "Oh, that's OK - we've got you all set up."

Got some good news yesterday; my former boss, who has liver cancer, is doing much better.

We have cleaned up all the Christmas decor, and are back to normal at home. Huge snowfall today.

Monday, January 24 is the Canadian election. We do need a change in government; having been closer to the top these few years, I can't believe that it has become so wasteful. That happens with nearly every government. As a non-partisan public servant, I have seen this many times before. It will happen to a new government eventually, too, but fresh blood is required.