If you are reading this and you are an American with U.S. voting privileges, and living in Winnipeg, not only does Uncle Sam need you, we all need you – to vote in the upcoming Federal election in November.
Mainstream media has given The Donald a free ride with more advertising and exposure that no publicist could ever have imagined. Donald Trump is not stupid. He just says stupid things. That’s because he knows mainstream media is desperate for ratings. And the more outlandish he is the more we all have to hear about it. Even on mainstream Canadian news outlets.
Now fully ensconced in the wilderness of BC otherwise known as camping, I thought avoiding bears would help banish American political news from my thoughts. Actually, I don’t think of it as news but rather as hype, propaganda, sensationalism, fear mongering and a ratings scam.
After a glorious evening of BC wineries, campfire cookout and the tranquility of the lakes and mountains of our most pristine province, I awoke in the middle of the night not to the sound of wildlife but rather to a question in my dreamlike state asking what can I do about this mess in which those troubled Americans find themselves? What could I, just one Canadian, possibly do to help?
And then it came to me.
It’s in everyone of us to do what we can to prevent the end of civilization as we know it if you know who gets elected. While I can’t vote in the U.S election, I can encourage every American citizen living in Canada to vote.
I traversed through hill and dale (camper talk) to get to wifi so I could e-mail three of the smartest Americans I know living in Winnipeg to make sure I was on the right track. I asked all three the same few questions: What did they like best about living in Canada? Were they intending to cast a vote? And, whether they voted for the person or the party?
Susan Williams, M.Ed, formerly at University of Manitoba Counselling Services, was born in Kansas City, Missouri and has lived in Montreal and Winnipeg. Her greatest concern for this U.S. election is “the emotional and intellectual walls being built.”
Katherine Himelblau, retired Winnipeg School Division Educator was born and raised in Chicago, has taught in Sturgis, SK and Winnipeg. One of her main concerns is what the current U.S. election debacle is doing to America “on the world stage.”
Teresa Klostreich, moved to Winnipeg from Minneapolis with a Masters in Zoology and gratitude that “I am already here.”
Interestingly, all three said what they valued most about living here is the multiculturalism, the peaceful nature of Canada and the welcoming attitude of the nation.
As facilitators for the Winnipeg Circle of Reason, Teresa and her spouse, Kent, know how important it is for reason rather than hype to be used when voting in what she describes as the “most important election ever in the history of the world.”
So dear Americans already here, please vote. It’s easy. Go to either overseasvotefoundation.org OR fvap.gov to request your ballot.
Note: snail mail is also required as they need your original signature. This is time sensitive as regulations vary by state.
Whether you happen to vote for the person as our three interviewees do or whether you vote for the party, it is crucial that you exercise your democratic right to vote. There is much at stake, for those you left behind, for Canada and for the entire World. Thank you.
