These last couple weeks saw a few firsts for me. Last Monday, I went to the birthday party of the youngest daughter of one of my mission companions. We wen to Chuckee Cheeses. I had never been there, and while I found some of the games fun and could understand why kids love the place, there was something a little unsettling about the place. It was probably that creepy mouse. He sure ain't no Mickey! I also had my first adult-solo trip to the zoo with my neice and nephew. A ton of fun, but different for me. I also met my namesake for the first time. Dan and Mindy Oler, two of my dearest friends, had their fourth son this past Mother's Day, and named him Bryan. It was nice that they spelled it correctly and I must confess my bias, but he is the cuteset little guy there ever was.
I also had a first in last night's federal election. I voted, but really had no desire to vote, so I will make my Top Ten List a little political. I present:
Top 10 Changes to the Government That Will Restore My Confidence
10. After an election, all party leaders must share in a group hug.
9. All election ads must be prescreened to eliminate the "stupid factor" (pooping puffins et al)
8. After the election, nobody is allowed to make any political comments for at least one week.
7. Candidates will show more respect to those voters who do not share their viewpoint.
6. Do not complain when someone does something mean to you while you are doing the same thing.
5. All party leader debates should include a section where the candidate must praise their opponents.
4. Fixed election dates, and in order to do that, we must...
3. Take away the power of a government to call an election whenever they feel it is to their party's advantage.
2. Elect the senate. It is a crime that they can hamstring a government and not be held responsible by the electorate.
1. Eliminate block party voting in the House of Commons. Eliminate the ability of a party to boot out any MPs that vote as their constituents want them to and not how the party wanted them to.
