Jack Layton, Rest in Peace

It's been a while since I've done a blog post, I know. I've been super busy with work and everything, but as I'm on the ferry now I feel like I should take a moment, push through the painfully slow wifi connection, and write an actual blog post. It's not often I write about serious things, or things in the news, but today I'll make an exception.

On August 22nd, at 4:45AM, ex-federal NDP leader Jack Layton lost his battle to cancer, only a short  time after stepping down as leader in order to focus on his failing health. He had hoped to rejoin parliament soon, and I honestly believe that most Canadians believed he would. In the most recent election, Layton led his party to its greatest win to date, becoming the official opposition party. His passion, enthusiasm, and love for Canada swept through the country, catching people up in an "orange wave." Most importantly though, at least to me, he was a key part in doing what has been a long lacking in Canada. He and his party reached out to young Canadians and evoked an interest, and even a passion, in Canadian politics. Historically, many of the people (especially the young ones) in the country have had a very apathetic view of the Canadian democratic system, and it's a sad thing to see.
While I am in no way a political expert, and I admit to having only limited knowledge of the NDP's official platform, I appreciate how Jack Layton was able to get many Canadians interested in showing up for the election. For this, he had my respect, and I hope this passion will continue on even in his absense.

Sadly (and cliched-ly), as is often true, people don't fully appreciate a person's impact on the world until they are gone. I really think that nearly everyone expected his to beat the cancer and be back to politics in a few months. With his rolled up sleeves and go-to attitude, his enthusiasm for his job, and his relentless passion, he seemed unstoppable.  I wouldn't have expected it, but when I first got the text "No! Jack Layton died!!" I was legitimately shaken. As I hear more about it, and the more it sinks in, I can say that I am genuinely upset to hear of this loss. As has been repeated many times today, he was the best Prime Minister we never had, and Canada could use more Canadians like him.

Just two days earlier, on August 20th, he wrote a  final letter to Canadians. It's quite a touching letter, and I think really embodies his love for his country. You can also read more about him in an article by the Vancouver Sun here.

As one of my facebook friends so accurately put it, he was a mustachioed crusader. RIP sir.

Vote!

Tomorrow is election day! I'm on my friend's laptop and it is not a mac and therefore I am now beyond my patience/competence. So to keep it simple and quote my facebook status:

"Not voting because you don't feel like you're educated? You're not the only one. Try starting here and work from there. You don't need to know everything to vote; you just need to care!"

Tomorrow, May 2nd, exercise your democratic right and VOTE!

You can also check out these sites:
http://www.projectdemocracy.ca/  (strategic voting against Harper, if that's your thing)
http://www.votecompass.ca/ (see where your views line up)
http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=vot&dir=faq&document=faqvoting&lang=e (voting FAQ's)


Hopefully I'll add to this post later. My bad for leaving it so late!
(PS share this with your friends and spread the vote!)

Also, for anyone who reads this, I would love to hear people's arguements for why you should vote. (Like, if someone told you they weren't voting, what would you say/would you say anything to try to convince them?) Comment below, I'm interested!