First weekend on the campaign

Today I was reading through the paper and saw a picture of Stephen Harper pushing a seven year-old child away from him because she was hugging him. Two things came to mind: Harper is a cold, mean man who doesn't represent Canadians. But then, I started to think about it more deeply. What kind of world do we live in where a man at a campaign rally feels that he can't even hug a child without being labelled a sex fiend or something like that? Yeah, so, that'll be a major picture of the campaign. But, a picture I want to remember is a scene from yesterday when I spent my first day canvassing(knocking on doors, handing out brochures and asking for votes) for Diane Lloyd of Peterborough. Me and my fellow volunteer approached a house and knocked as normal, but an overly anxious dog rushed out the door and across the street, nearly attacking the candidate. The little boy of the household ran out outside, clad in pajamas and bare feet, and grabbed the dog. Leslie-the other voluteer- was about to introduce herself as a volunteer for Diane's opponent and I was about to scream " Vote Harper" and run as fast as I can, when the woman of the house told us she was a Liberal supporter and even asked if she could have a lawn sigh. Pheew! A disasterous start, but Leslie, Bill Jr, Bill Sr, Diane Lloyd and I battled the cold, canines, and Conservatives throughout the afternoon. Now I've got to ask, what kind of young person wouldn't throw on their touque and get involved in a political campaign?

Encouraging my fellow youth to roll up their sleeves and get involved,
Laura H,Bowmanville, ON