Winter Solstice in Puppet Land

Winter Solstice was wet and slushy, not white and snowy as was usual for this time of year in the land of the giant puppets. The darkest day of the year marking the return of the sun was upon them.

*******

PER (looking pensively out the window): It should be snowing this time of year, not raining.

image courtesy of Pixabay

MR. PIPELINE: Hey, relax, Per. Less shovelling is fine with me.

PER: The signs are all around us, and what happens at COP24? Virtually nothing. Rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic, fiddling while Rome burns. Elizabeth May got it right when she said the real question that should have been asked was 'Do we want to survive or not?' Our leaders don't seem to grasp the urgency of the environmental crisis we're facing.

And I'm thoroughly bummed out that British Columbians voted against proportional representation. It means it'll be even harder to change things, and to get big money out of politics.

What are we going to do? I feel so helpless.

NOWCA: I hear you, Per. I wish I knew.

MR. PIPELINE: How about doing nothing. Relax! Get with the spirit of the season! Ho, ho, ho!

GOOD TIME: Mr. Pipeline, I agree with you -- 'tis the season and all, but I also get how you're feeling Per and NOWCA. And I miss our season of white. It just doesn't feel the same with rain somehow.

PER (sighing): It's hard to get into the spirit when I feel so much anxiety about what the future holds.

GOOD TIME: You know, Per, even though we lost the pro rep campaign, in the process we've created communities of caring people all over the province. And even though we're from different groups and political parties we've become friends and know how to work together.

NOWCA: That's a good point, Good Time. It's caring people working together who are going to make the world a greener, kinder and fairer place. And the pro rep campaign brought a lot of us together.

Hey, and it's Winter Solstice, an inward and contemplative time. If we want to protect nature, maybe we need to listen to her. Maybe it's a good time to meditate and see what comes to us.

GOOD TIME: I just saw something that might help us to focus our meditation. Every day between January 1st and 7th, 2019, people around the world will demonstrate their feelings about a daily theme in whatever way makes sense to them. Here are the themes:

Day 1 - Earth
Day 2 - Water
Day 3 - Fire
Day 4 - Air
Day 5 - Climate
Day 6 - Biodiversity
Day 7 - Web of life

NOWCA: Maybe we can organize an event. We can't be the only ones feeling this way.

PER: I like the timing. It'll give us a chance to relax and then start the new year off with a bold, global statement.

MR. PIPELINE: Well, don't expect the newspapers to cover it.

NOWCA: You're probably right, Mr. Pipeline. But you know what? We don't need the papers so much anymore. They didn't print letters explaining the benefits of proportional representation, and I'm sure they won't cover these events either.

But nowadays people have their cell phones and the internet, so we know what's going on even when the media doesn't cover it.

PER: And it'll be fun to see how different people interpret these themes. There'll be lots of sharing and commenting, I'm sure.

GOOD TIME: Sounds like fun! People can be so creative, and I love seeing what they come up with.

NOWCA: Me too! And with seven days in a row, I bet people will build on each other's ideas.

MR. PIPELINE: You're wasting your time! 2019 will be business as usual. Your antics won't make any difference.

PER: People aren't going to give up on curbing something as life threatening as climate change. Maybe this will work, or maybe it won't. But something will. Enough people want a future for their kids and grandkids that we'll just keep doing things until we can change the course of our society and economy.

GOOD TIME (sniffing the air): NOWCA, what smells so good? Is there something in the oven?

NOWCA: Yams with figs, peanut butter and pecans. What better way to celebrate earth's goodness than by eating great food, eh?

GOOD TIME (sighing): The simple joys we want for future generations. No one has the right to rob them of their lives and the pleasures of eating, loving and experiencing what's wonderful about being alive.

PER: Thanks, NOWCA, for preparing this food that makes our home smell so good.

NOWCA: You're welcome, Per. Winter Solstice warrants a good meal. I've made a few others things too, but the smell of the yams baking is stealing the show right now.

And here's a little song to welcome in the return of the light. And as the light increases, I know our resolve to make the changes we need will increase as well.

Happy Winter Solstice!

image courtesy of Pixabay

The Waiting Game

Cold, rain, snow and darkness filled the days in the land of the giant puppets.

The deadline for the proportional representation ballots was today. Would politics in BC remain the same as usual, or would BC lead the country in adopting a more representative voting system and a fuller democracy? The 'Yes' and 'No' sides were in a dead heat.

*******
The puppets sat in the living room wrapping gifts and writing cards, silently absorbed in their tasks.

GOOD TIME (standing up): Anyone want some mulled wine?

PER (sitting up, putting down the pen and stretching): I'm ready for a little break. Some mulled wine sounds lovely, thanks, Good Time.

NOWCA (tying a bow around some cedar boughs): Me too. Thanks, Good Time.

image courtesy of Pixabay

MR. PIPELINE (looking up from his cell phone): Count me in.

PER (sighing): I wonder which way the vote will go.

GOOD TIME (bringing in steaming mugs of mulled wine): The referendum on proportional representation in BC? Me too.

MR. PIPELINE: What's the big deal? It's just a voting system.

NOWCA: If it goes through, it'll be a game changer.

MR. PIPELINE: That's an exaggeration.

PER (taking a drink): No, it's not. Our Prime Minister campaigned on the promise to bring in proportional representation, but reneged. Now our province has the opportunity to show the rest of the country what they're missing.

image courtesy of Pixabay

GOOD TIME: I bet people across Canada will be so impressed when they read about it in the papers.

Good Time's remark fell into a heavy silence. Finally Per spoke.

PER: When people read about it in the papers or hear about it on the radio, IF it goes through, it's not going to be the good stuff they'll be hearing about. People with deep pockets and strong connections to government and media will make sure of that. The 'No' side that's so well funded will put their money to work to make proportional representation look bad.

NOWCA (taking a sip of wine and looking down thoughtfully): I'm afraid you're right, Per. Those forces have a way of stifling democracy, crippling environmental progress and doing all they can to maintain business as usual. You see it everywhere.

MR. PIPELINE: Luckily, not everyone has figured that out. The art of persuasion is well lubricated with money and influence.

PER: You're right, Mr. Pipeline. A whole culture has been created that distracts us, gives us misinformation and reaps big profits at the expense of everything and everyone else.

GOOD TIME: Even at the expense of the future. What are we going to do?

NOWCA: One thing at a time. I'm cautiously optimistic that proportional representation will go through here in BC. And that will lead to more political engagement, judging from other jurisdictions that vote that way, and to political decisions that are better for our environment.

MR. PIPELINE: You really think you can stand up to the power of big money? Who do pro reppers think they are anyways?

PER: Ordinary people who want a future for their kids and grandkids. People who are sick and tired of being lied to and pitted against each other. Folks who want their votes to mean something.

GOOD TIME (taking a sip of wine and tying a cedar frond onto a gift): People who want to go to the beach in the summer without choking on wildfire

image courtesy of Pixabay

smoke.

NOWCA (arranging decorations on the coffee table): People who want some sanity and care in our political process. Who want to do what makes sense in the face of climate change and growing inequality, and not just what corporate lobbyists want them to do.

MR. PIPELINE (taking a swig of wine): Well, guess what? People are busy, tired and they don't pay attention. And the few who do are outspent by the powers that be.

If you ask me you don't have a hope in hell of getting pro rep or changing the system.

PER: But you know what, Mr. Pipeline? People have access to the internet, so they can see through more and more of the lies they're told. And they're getting worried and angry about the world situation. Take a look at what Greta Thunberg of Sweden had to say at the COP24 Climate Talks. I quote from the article:

"Thunberg explained that while the world consumes an estimated 100 million barrels of oil each day, "there are no politics to change that. There are no politics to keep that oil in the ground. So we can no longer save the world by playing by the rules, because the rules have to be changed." 

"So we have not come here to beg the world leaders to care for our future," she declared. "They have ignored us in the past and they will ignore us again. We have come here to let them know that change is coming whether they like it or not. The people will rise to the challenge."

MR. PIPELINE: Ya, well that's just one person.

NOWCA (taking a sip of wine): She's 15 years old, and youth are going to ignore the moneyed and do what they need to do to have a future. Why the future isn't a concern of everyone is beyond me, but it belongs to the youth. They're smart and not willing to give up.

GOOD TIME: Hey, I thought we were talking about pro rep.

PER: I guess we got off topic. But like pro rep, so much of what's going on in the world is about money and power and the misinformation it feeds us.

NOWCA (taking another drink of mulled wine): We'll find out if we get a proportional representation system in BC on December 22nd. We've done all we can and now we just have to keep our fingers crossed.

PER (getting thread and a big bowl of popcorn): In the meantime, we may as well make the place look festive. Anyone else want to thread some popcorn?

image courtesy of Pixabay

New Puppet on the Block Likes Water

Freezing rain pounded the ground in the land of the giant puppets.

The deadline for the proportional representation ballots had been extended by a week to December 7th. So the canvassing continued, and the phone calling, and the sharing to social media.

The puppets were getting pretty tired.

But, wait -- who's knocking at the door?

*******

NOWCA (opening the front door, then looking around and, finally, looking down to see a small puppet): Hello.

GNAT: Hello, I heard there were some giant puppets living here so thought I'd pop by and introduce

myself. You can call me Gnat, that's Gnat with a "G".

NOWCA (leading Gnat in): I'm NOWCA. Come on in! I'll introduce you to the others.

GNAT: Thanks, NOWCA. Nice place you have here.

NOWCA (entering the living room where the other puppets were sitting): Everyone, I'd like you to meet Gnat -- that's Gnat with a "G". Gnat, this is Per, Good Time and Mr. Pipeline.

MR. PIPELINE: Well, short stuff, what brings you to town?

GNAT: Please! Enough of the short stuff. I'm just passing through on my way north.

MR. PIPELINE: No offence intended. What's in the north?

GNAT: A little girl who I'm sure will appreciate me more than you do.

PER: I'm sure she will, Gnat. Being small has its benefits, especially when you're going to be friends with a little girl. She wouldn't know what to do with a puppet my size. Is that a cape you're wearing?

GNAT (turning around): Thanks, Per. Yes, it is. Here's what it says on the back.

GOOD TIME: 'Planet before profit' -- that's pretty cool, Gnat.

GNAT: Thanks, Good Time. I just wore it to a demonstration to protect our watersheds from being logged. Here's where you can read more about it. They've started a Gofundme page called Kootenay Water is Life. I was sticking out my tongue at drivers who wouldn't honk for our water.

PER: You don't think that's kind of rude?

GNAT: No one complained. Don't you get frustrated that people don't even care about our drinking water?

NOWCA: Really? Our drinking water's under threat?

GOOD TIME (sighing): And I was looking forward to taking it easy with the pro rep stuff coming to an end. I have a feeling we're going to get involved with protecting our watersheds. It's so important!

NOWCA: Even if we do, Good Time, we need to take a little breather and recharge our batteries before jumping into something else. And it won't be just us. Lots of people care about our forests and our drinking water, so they'll be taking action.

MR. PIPELINE: I'm not getting soft, but I want clean drinking water.

GNAT: Mr. Pipeline, you seem like the kind of guy who knows how to make companies stand up and listen. What would get your attention if you were hell bent on logging our watersheds?

MR. PIIPELINE: I don't know about protests. Even though they're good for bringing people together and getting publicity, big corporations are used to them.

image courtesy of Pixabay

Anything that affects the bottom line would make corporations take notice.

NOWCA: Like what, Mr. Pipeline?

MR. PIPELINE: Right now lumber is a hot commodity since there's lots of building going on. Switching to a different building material? Boycotting the company? Enforcing regulations that are on the books but that are ignored?

GNAT: Or how about getting citizens' to report stream disturbances with this RAPP form? Someone from the Ministry of Environment has to investigate and can make the logging stop if it's damaging streams.

MR. PIPELINE: Sounds good. This is threatening our drinking water and we should be mad.

NOWCA: Mr. Pipeline! I've never heard you talk that way before.

MR. PIPELINE: Polluting my drinking water is way too close to home.

image courtesy of Pixabay

GNAT: Maybe these notes and footage from the demonstration last week end will help.

MR. PIPELINE: Sure spreading it around social media draws attention to the issue.

GOOD TIME: It would be fun to print up a bunch of those forms and then go for a hike -- get a few people together, pack a lunch, take a few pictures...

NOWCA: Good Time, I appreciate how you turn activism into something fun. What a great way to prevent burnout!

PER: And when we're hiking, we can come up with more ideas about how to stop the logging.

GNAT: Then afterwards sharing what you did all over social media, and writing letters to the editor would inspire others.

NOWCA: Gnat, thanks for letting us know that our drinking water is in peril!

GNAT: You're welcome, NOWCA. You've got to admit, good things come in small packages sometimes.

MR. PIPELINE: You bet, short stuff.

GNAT: Please, don't call me that!

image courtesy of Pixabay

Taking a Stand for Proportional Representation

The giant puppets were recovering from a busy day they'd had earlier in the week. They had joined friends who were raising awareness about proportional representation on Vernon Street in Nelson.

Bumped and bruised, the puppets were enjoying some quiet time to relax and heal while the November rain splashed on the ground outside.

*******

NOWCA, Per and Good Time with Diana
 photo courtesy of Sjeng Derkx

PER: Well, it's nice to get out now and again, but I sure pay for it. I have so many aches and pains, it's hard to sit comfortably.

GOOD TIME: I know what you mean, Per. I have such a stiff neck! But it was fun to spend time with friends and bring some attention to pro rep. Geez -- I hope people get their ballots in.

NOWCA (yawning and stretching): Oh, but isn't it nice to be taking it easy today?

At this point, I hope people bring their ballots to their nearest Service BC office instead of putting them in the mail. It's getting close to the deadline.

PER: And I hope if they're still not sure how to vote they'll take the quiz at referendumguide.ca.

NOWCA: How are you doing, Mr. Pipeline?

MR. PIPELINE: Much like the rest of you.

I hope I convinced a few people not to vote in this silly referendum. Why change a perfectly good system?

PER: To make it more democratic.

GOOD TIME: To make it more collaborative and responsive to voters.

NOWCA: To make it easier to address climate change and to get big money out of politics.

MR. PIPELINE: Let's face it. People are pretty stupid, and all these options are too much for them to handle. And they wouldn't know what to do with the extra power they'd gain through pro rep.

PER: It's not people who are stupid Mr. Pipeline, it's this crazy system that has something wrong with it. A lot of ordinary people are doing everything they can to make the world a more caring and liveable place.

NOWCA, Good Time, Mr. Pipeline and Ron in front of the credit union 
in Nelson - photo courtesy of Ann Remnant

GOOD TIME: The voting system is a good example of that, Mr. Pipeline. How can people make good choices when a system forces them to vote strategically?

And how can politicians make good choices when the voting system forces them into adversarial roles?

With proportional representation, we'll all have a much better time. We'll have a system that helps our representatives to collaborate, and our votes will mean something.

NOWCA: And frankly, Mr. Pipeline, I'm so sick of oil and gas companies treating our province like garbage. Fracking is poisoning our water, air and land -- even wilderness and agricultural land. Fish farms are killing our wild salmon and the life that depends upon them. Our province is investing in destructive industries at the expense of future generations. What are we leaving them? Don't we have a responsibility to leave them a liveable future?

MR. PIPELINE: NOWCA, you're so emotional! You and other environmentalists don't understand that what you aspire to impacts our profits! And what about the workers in the fracking industry and the fish farms who'll be out of work if you get your way?

NOWCA: Mr. Pipeline, workers can and should be retrained to work in industries that are cleaner and that have a future. Fossil fuel industries are laying people off -- they're being phased out. It's time for a meaningful transition plan.

And as far as emotions go, we all have them. What kinds of emotions do you experience, Mr. Pipeline?

MR. PIPELINE: Why bother with emotions when there's work to be done. I experience as few of them as possible, NOWCA. They're just troublesome.

Per and Bill canvassing across the street from the Hume Hotel 
in Nelson - photo courtesy of Ann Remnant

NOWCA: They may be hard to feel, but they're valuable. They're an important part of life that gives us perspective. Emotions contribute a lot to relationships, values, and art and music appreciation. They are a normal part of life and give us valuable information.

PER: I felt a lot of joy and solidarity with others when we were all canvassing, and like I was doing something to benefit the world we live in. Making one small part of it a bit more fair is a big contribution.

But, Mr. Pipeline and NOWCA, I had to get away from your arguing. Mr. Pipeline, you kept telling people not to vote and, NOWCA, you kept telling people not to listen to him. It was just too stressful for me, so I crossed the street and canvassed on the other corner.

GOOD TIME: I know what you mean, Per. I eventually gave them some distance too. It was fun hanging around with other people. We don't get out much these days and it's nice to see them.

NOWCA: Even though I'm stiff and sore, and even though we argued, and even though there are no guarantees that we'll be successful, I'm glad we went out and helped the people working so hard to get proportional representation in BC. A society's only as healthy as its citizens are engaged, so the more we engage the better.

Sometimes it's messy, sometimes we don't feel like it, often there are differences of opinions but that's the only way we're going to create a better future together. It's a slog, and it's got to be done.

GOOD TIME: And, even though you're right, NOWCA, it's fun to be with others who care. Even if you and Mr. Pipeline were arguing, and even if we're stiff and sore why are we here anyways? I love having a good time, but this kind of fun has an extra element of meaning to it.

PER: I agree, Good Time. Being active is so meaningful right now. The more of us who act, the better our future will be. I hope more people will join us.

MR. PIPELINE: Well, I hope a few people listened to me and didn't get their ballot in.

PER: Maybe they did. I don't agree with you, but I respect your right to have a different opinion. At least you came out.

MR. PIPELINE (sniffing the air): Is that garlic I smell?

PER: Yes it is. I have spaghetti sauce on the stove. Anyone hungry?

*******

For the moment, as their appetites took over, the puppets forgot about proportional representation. They would enjoy this interlude that would help to fuel their future actions.

image courtesy of Pixabay

Special Cookies for the Puppets

Just over two weeks. That's how long until the ballots would be counted. The referendum will determine whether or not British Columbians will get a Proportional Representation voting system.

It's ordinary people wanting a more democratic system up against big money which supports the First Past the Post system. Big money gets its way more easily under First Past the Post.

For months, people have been demonstrating, posting to social media and canvassing their neighbourhoods.

As November becomes colder and darker, the puppets and their friends are getting tired. Time to rest, to dream and catch up on some reading. And to eat some special cookies.

*******

NOWCA, Per and Good Time were sitting in the living room reading. Per's feet were up on the ottoman with the newspaper spread out -- still no letters in support of proportional representation. So many people had sent them in -- why weren't they being printed?

NOWCA was engrossed in a novel by Thomas King, and Good Time was reading articles and messages from friends on Facebook.

GOOD TIME (looking up from the laptop): Oh, this video's really cute! And I've got to say, I'm so grateful for everyone's favourite tool, the referendum guide quiz. When people say the options are confusing, wham! It shows which options align best with their values, and their confusion is gone.

image courtesy of Pixabay

PER (sighing): I know pro rep's a big deal, but gee I'm getting tired.

GOOD TIME: Me too. And losing my inspiration.

PER: Is all this work worth it? What if we're doing all this and the no side wins?!

NOWCA: Maybe it's time to take a few days off and recharge: relax, do a bit of reading, put our feet up, drink tea...

AND I made some cookies! Some very special cookies, with a very special ingredient ... maybe it'll help us to dream, and to come up with a strategy that'll win this referendum!

Per, will you give me a hand? If you can bring the tea pot and a couple of cups into the living room, I'll bring in the plate of cookies.

PER (getting up and walking to the kitchen): Sure, NOWCA -- really? You made them with the special ingredient I'm thinking of?

NOWCA (bringing in a plate of cookies): I think you're hot on the trail, Per: the special ingredient was illegal in Canada until about a month ago. The other ingredients are standard peanut butter and chocolate chip cookie ingredients.

GOOD TIME (reaching for a cookie): NOWCA! You surprise me. But since you went to the trouble of making them, I'll give one a try.

PER (taking a cookie): Thanks, NOWCA. I'll try one too.

image courtesy of Pixabay

NOWCA (pouring them all tea and taking a cookie): I like mine dipped in tea and sogged up a little.

PER: Tastes pretty good, but there's a bit of an earthy aftertaste.

GOOD TIME (taking a bite of a cookie): I taste it too. Not bad, really, just a little different.

NOWCA: Aw, that's the special ingredient! It does alter the flavour a bit.

After they each ate a cookie, the puppets went back to what they'd been reading. About half an hour later MR. PIPELINE walked into the room.

MR. PIPELINE: Cookies? Don't mind if I do.

NOWCA (holding out the plate): Help yourself, Mr. Pipeline. But they're very special cookies.

MR. PIPELINE (popping one into his mouth): Hmm. It has a slightly unusual edge to it.

NOWCA: Yes, it's a bit of an odd flavour isn't it? Another?

MR. PIPELINE (popping another into his mouth): The taste is growing on me.

GOOD TIME (starting to giggle): Mr. Pipeline, don't you want to know what makes them special?

MR. PIPELINE: I care about results, not details. They're good cookies and that's all I want to know.

PER (giggling): Oh, I think you'll be getting results. What are you up to?

MR. PIPELINE (walking out of the living room): Bookkeeping. I'll be in my office.

PER, NOWCA and GOOD TIME all burst out laughing.

NOWCA (gasping for breath): Well, good luck with that, Mr. Pipeline.

image courtesy of Pixabay

NOWCA, PER and GOOD TIME, in a fit of uncontrollable laughter, had tears streaming down their faces. Finally, NOWCA and Per put down their reading material and Good Time turned off the laptop.

PER: We should have told Mr. Pipeline what the special ingredient was, don't you think?

GOOD TIME (between giggles): We offered to, but he didn't want to know.

PER: I wonder how his bookkeeping is going...

NOWCA (giggling): I imagine he'll be changing his activity before too long.

Anyways, I spy with my little eye something that is pink.

PER: That pink cushion?

NOWCA: Good guess, Per, but nope.

GOOD TIME: I know! Is it that beautiful blossom on the Christmas Cactus?

NOWCA: Yes! Isn't it exquisite?

PER: It's so complex -- amazing really. Even though the world is in such a crazy state, there are still bits of profound beauty here and there.

The puppets sat and stared at the blossom. After some time had passed, Mr. Pipeline walked back into the room.

MR. PIPELINE (looking around): What are you doing?

image courtesy of Pixabay

NOWCA (pointing to the Christmas Cactus): Looking at the beautiful blossom on the Christmas cactus.

MR. PIPELINE: It's extraordinary! That blossom is divine! I've never really looked closely at one before.

Funny, I feel a little odd. Just can't wrap my head around the books for some reason.

NOWCA: Here, I'll pour you some tea, Mr. Pipeline.

MR. PIPELINE: I can't take my eyes off that blossom. It's like a small miracle right under my nose.

NOWCA: Yes, we're so lucky to be able to see beauty when it presents itself, aren't we?

MR. PIPELINE: I've never thought of it that way but, yes, we are.

NOWCA: It's such a wonderful thing to be able to drink tea and look at the beauty around us, isn't it? What could be nicer?

MR. PIPELINE: It almost makes me want to cry.

PER: Beauty does that to me sometimes too, Mr. Pipeline. It makes me so happy to be alive.

MR. PIPELINE (looking around): I look into your faces and see such indescribable loveliness. How have I missed this before? My companions, and I only just noticed that each of you is a universe I barely know. How does that happen?

NOWCA: How do so many things happen, Mr. Pipeline? How do we take life for granted? How do we lose our ability to appreciate? Where do those things go?

MR. PIPELINE: So many of us have stopped noticing, haven't we? We have deadlines, and bills to pay, and we miss out.

GOOD TIME: I hope it's not too late.

MR. PIPELINE: What do you mean, Good Time?

GOOD TIME: Well, I worry that the way we're destroying life around us, we'll pull the plug on the future, and we'll be some the last ones to be able to enjoy these simple things.

MR. PIPELINE: No need to worry, Good Time, things aren't so bad...

PER: Why do you say that, Mr. Pipeline? Our planetary situation is dire, and everyone I know is worried sick and scrambling to make things better. Right now we're focusing on proportional representation here in BC so citizens will have more control. But nothing feels like enough.

MR. PIPELINE: You have to be patient.

image courtesy of Pixabay

NOWCA: Maybe we've been too patient, Mr. Pipeline. We should have put our foot down long ago. No matter how bad the situation gets, corporations keep mining and drilling and fracking and building pipelines. When's it going to stop?

MR. PIPELINE: Maybe sooner than you think. Have you seen the price of oil lately?

PER: Maybe you're right, Mr. Pipeline. Maybe we're just a flimsy membrane away from a breakthrough. Not just with pipelines and fracking, but with a worldview that honours all of life instead of seeing everything as a way of making money.

MR. PIPELINE: Maybe, Per. Maybe.

NOWCA: So many of us have been pushing so hard for so long. Something's got to give.

GOOD TIME: Maybe a push or two harder and things will start turning around.

PER: In many ways, they're already turning around. We just have to speed things up. Maybe groups like Extinction Rebellion will give us the extra oomph the world needs.

MR. PIPELINE: And with the price of oil there could be a confluence of factors that trips the switch so to speak. Why am I talking like this, anyways? Why can I suddenly see your points of view?

NOWCA: I think it was the special cookies, Mr. Pipeline. An ingredient recently legalized in Canada is what makes them special.

MR. PIPELINE: No wonder my bookkeeping was so confusing! I've put smilies in places where I should have put numbers!

The three other puppets burst into giggles and soon Mr. Pipeline joined them.

NOWCA: Mr. Pipeline, I like you. And I apologize for giving you those cookies, but am really grateful to be getting to know your gentler side.

MR. PIPELINE (bursting into tears): NOWCA, that's one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me.

The puppets surrounded Mr. Pipeline in a group hug as he sobbed, and as the sun shone brightly on the Christmas Cactus.

image courtesy of Pixabay

Why Didn't The Paper Print My Letter?

Dreary November had arrived, and the weather was getting seriously bleak.

But although it was cold and wet outside, NOWCA, Per and Good Time had learned more about proportional representation, and were enthusiastic about the deepening of democracy the system offered.

So as it rained, they wrote letters to the editor, and did some phone canvassing to see if supporters of pro rep had received their ballots and voted already.

image courtesy of Pixabay

Mr. Pipeline, however, didn't share their fervor, and did a lot of stomping around the house these days.

But today Mr. Pipeline was in a better mood. And the excitement of the other puppets was dampened. Let's find out why.

*******

PER: Hey NOWCA, you sent off your letter to the editor about proportional representation last week. Have you seen it in the newspaper yet?

NOWCA: No, and my friends' letters haven't been published either.

GOOD TIME: But I noticed that there have been letters from people who don't like proportional representation in the paper. What do you think's up with that?

NOWCA: I don't know...

PER (opening the paper): It doesn't seem fair that only one side is having their letters to the editor printed. I've been sending friends this link to make it easier for them to get their letters in. Let's see what's in the paper today ... Oh! There's a letter from Mr. Pipeline!

image courtesy of Pixabay

GOOD TIME: Read it to us, Per!

PER: OK. It says, "Regarding the upcoming referendum on proportional representation, people need to be aware that the crazy fringe elements who are out to destroy society will get into power if this goes through. Beware! Scared yet? You should be! Mr. Pipeline"

MR. PIPELINE (strolling into the room): Ah, yes. My letter to the editor was published. Not bad, eh?

NOWCA: But, Mr. Pipeline, you know what you said in your letter isn't true.

MR. PIPELINE: We don't need proportional representation. Things are fine the way they are!

GOOD TIME: But pro rep's better for democracy and it'll make it easier for us to mitigate climate change.

MR. PIPELINE: That may be so, but there are other interests that could suffer under this new system.

PER: Do you mean the interests of those who are able to lobby more effectively under the First Past the Post system, like these people?

MR. PIPELINE: What's more important? The economy or democracy? I'd say the economy, and if the people running the economy don't like proportional representation, we shouldn't have it.

image courtesy of Pixabay

NOWCA: It depends on what kind of an economy and society you want, Mr. Pipeline.

My preference is for a democracy where everyone's voice is heard and an economy geared towards serving the needs of a fair and caring society.

From what I can tell, the people you're referring to are just looking out for themselves, and not for anyone else or the environment.

MR. PIPELINE: So what? Anyone who works hard can become rich. Why waste time and energy on the losers who can't make it?

GOOD TIME: Mr. Pipeline, my friends aren't losers, but some of them are having a really tough time through no fault of their own. That attitude is mean.

MR. PIPELINE: Face reality, Good Time. It's all about dollars and cents, and anything else doesn't matter.

PER: Not even the state of the planet? Not even the future? People created the economy and we can change it, but we only have one planet, and it's in grave danger.

MR. PIPELINE: I pay attention to important things like dollars and cents. I'll leave the state of the planet to the tree huggers and granola crunchers.

NOWCA: You're writing off enormous segment of the population, Mr. Pipeline. I'm sad that people like you are getting media coverage, yet people like us are getting very little.

image courtesy of Pixabay

PER: But we have our networks and friends, and we're working hard to win this one. I think people are smart enough to know fear tactics when they see them.

MR. PIPELINE: Smart? They don't look smart to me. They look like peasants. Why should their voices be heard? They're not contributing.

GOOD TIME: Sure they are! They do all kinds of amazing things!

NOWCA: And in a democracy, everyone's voice matters. Most of the people I know are going to great lengths to keep us from destroying life on our planet, often at considerable personal sacrifice. I want our voices to have more influence in politics, not just the voices of the wealthy.

MR. PIPELINE (getting up and leaving the room): Well, I'll leave you to your networks and I'll stay with the moneyed. We'll see whose system gets to govern this province.

The three remaining puppets looked at each other.

PER: Lets get moving! Phoning, canvassing, talking to friends.

NOWCA: You're right, Per. We've got to use our people power to win this one. We're up against a lot of moneyed interests.

What's the link to that poll that matches your preferred voting system based on your values again? I like to keep it handy when I'm phoning so I can pass it on to others. So many find it helpful.

GOOD TIME: It's referendumguide.ca.

NOWCA: Thanks, Good Time. Let's hit the phones!

image courtesy of Pixabay

One More Vote for Democracy

It had been a mellow week for the giant puppets; a quiet time of rest and refocus.

The excitement of the municipal election was dying down, and the new Mayor and Council members were getting organized and gearing up for governance. Some good people had been elected, and some good people hadn't. Four of the seven elected had committed to boldly addressing climate change, the issue that could no longer be ignored.

The puppets had raked the fallen leaves and distributed them over the garden beds, which formed two

image courtesy of Pixabay

neat rows of golden brown horizontal rectangles in the back yard.

Time for an afternoon tea break.

*******

PER: I'll just get the scones out of the oven. There's some home made raspberry jam on the table.

GOOD TIME (bringing the tea pot to the table): I've got the mint tea. The mint from the garden was especially minty this year, don't you think?

NOWCA (pouring tea and putting jam on a scone): I love enjoying the bounty of the garden!

PER: Me too! So, the municipal elections are over with, and a few climate champions have been elected. I guess we can relax for awhile.

image courtesy of Pixabay

NOWCA: Not quite yet. We have another important vote coming up, and we need to educate ourselves and each other.

GOOD TIME: Seriously?

NOWCA: Ya, we have a chance to reclaim our democracy, at least in this province!

PER: What do you mean? How?

NOWCA: By voting in favour of proportional representation!

PER: I've heard scary things about that! Won't it allow fringe parties to have more power?

NOWCA: Per, those are scare tactics being used by people who benefit from the voting system we have now. In a winner take all system, like the one we have, extreme groups can have all the power even if they get only 40% of the vote. Take a look at this video.

GOOD TIME: I don't know -- why change what we have when it's already working?

NOWCA: But is it working? How many times have people had to vote strategically to keep someone out instead of voting for the person they want in? What about getting a bunch of great policies in place that are undone by a different party when they're elected? That's called 'policy lurch' and it really hinders our progress! Proportional representation means that your vote counts, and that those elected will need to collaborate. It works well in other countries and creates more stable and democratic governance.

PER: Other countries use it?

NOWCA: Yes, Wales, Scotland and New Zealand use pro rep systems that are similar to the ones we're voting on, and they work well.

MR. PIPELINE (coming in with a bag of golf clubs): My golf game was rained out.

NOWCA: Sorry to hear it, Mr. Pipeline.

We're just talking about proportional representation. Let me guess: You hate it, right?

MR. PIPELINE: Of course I hate it! When it comes to our electoral system, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

GOOD TIME: Change can be scary.

NOWCA: But sometimes we need change. Sometimes we outgrow things, like the first past the post

image courtesy of Pixabay

electoral system.

PER: I'd like to know more about how it's working out for the countries that have it.

MR. PIPELINE: Why? Why even bother voting? Government will keep working and things will keep going whether you vote or not.

NOWCA: Voting is our civic duty, Mr. Pipeline.

Anyways, Per, some good things have happened for the environment in some of these countries, and they seem to have great representation. When everyone's vote counts, we get better decisions. For example, Wales is the first country to pledge to keep fossil fuels in the ground. Under the system we have here in Canada, that's almost unimaginable.

MR. PIPELINE: Shudder the thought! How would life have meaning?

PER: Seriously?! That's incredible! What else, NOWCA? What about New Zealand? And, Mr. Pipeline, with all due respect, maybe your sense of meaning needs an update. Sounds like you need tea and a scone.

NOWCA: New Zealand has a woman Prime Minister from the Labour Party named Jacinda Ardern, and she's the first to have given birth while in office. She recently announced a 12 month wage freeze for politicians, since she says they make enough money. She also took her 3 month old baby to the United Nations General Assembly.

GOOD TIME: Wow! That sure doesn't sound like Canada!

MR. PIPELINE: Yes, I hope Canadian women continue to know their place and, for the most part, stay out of politics.

NOWCA (staring at Mr. Pipeline): and then there's Scotland. Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon is a powerful ruler. In fact, this is from her Wikipedia page: Forbes magazine ranked Sturgeon as the 50th most powerful woman in the world in 2016 and 2nd in the United Kingdom. In 2015, BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour assessed Sturgeon to be the most powerful and influential woman in the United Kingdom.

Her policies? Again, from her Wikipedia page: Sturgeon has campaigned against replacing the Trident nuclear weapons system. She has been a critic of austerity, saying that the UK government's "austerity economics" is "morally unjustifiable and economically unsustainable". 

Sturgeon is noted for campaigning for women's rights and gender equality, and is a self-described feminist; she has argued that Scotland's feminist movement is not simply symbolic, but "sends a powerful signal about equality". She has hailed Scottish feminist economist Ailsa McKay as one of her inspirations.

I think Scotland's doing quite well.

PER: OK, I want this for Canada, not just BC, but I guess our province is a good place to start.

NOWCA: It's our chance to show the rest of the country how proportional representation works. We were invited to a rally in support of it, but -- you know -- we don't do so well in the rain.

GOOD TIME: Maybe when it clears up we can do something on the streets to show our support for proportional representation.

MR. PIPELINE: Why do you want to be governed by a bunch of radicals?

GOOD TIME: I want at least the chance of a smokeless summer, and we won't get that until we start addressing climate change. And this system isn't doing it.

PER: Let's put our heads together and figure out a way to show our support for proportional representation. If we get it here in BC, maybe the whole country will follow suit.

*******

The puppets sat silently, watching the rain drops, drinking their tea and eating their scones. Some were considering what they could do to support proportional representation, and one was making very different plans.

image courtesy of Pixabay

Getting Through the Grey

The sky was grey; the deafening rain pounded the street. Brightly coloured leaves fell from the trees.

NOWCA stepped out of the rain and onto the porch, umbrella in hand, and left it open to dry in the mudroom. After taking off boots and rain jacket, NOWCA entered the living room, finding GOOD TIME lying face up on the wooden floor.

*******

NOWCA: Hey, Good Time, what's up?

GOOD TIME (heaving a sigh): This rain is endless. And I'm not having a very good time these days.

image courtesy of Pixabay

NOWCA (kneeling beside and stroking GOOD TIME's arm): Sorry to hear you're feeling down. Is there anything else besides the rain that's bothering you?

GOOD TIME (sighing again): Well, that proportional representation meeting you brought me to was fun. I met some new people and we painted signs. But I feel so out of my element! They all seem to know each other, and know so much about different issues.

And they kept talking about the IPCC Report and the upcoming municipal elections, and I hardly know anything about either of them.

NOWCA: My friends and I have been working on things like that for a long time, and can't help but learn as we go. Were they welcoming?

GOOD TIME: Ya, they were friendly, and really nice, but I felt so far behind them. How can I learn all the stuff they know?

NOWCA (lying down on the floor beside GOOD TIME): I guess if you keep showing up, you'll keep learning more. About the municipal elections, here's some information about the candidates, and here's information about voting in Nelson. Just make sure you're registered to vote, OK?

Oh, and here's a good article on proportional representation.

I'm feeling kind of down too, actually, about that report you mentioned. The International Panel on Climate Change, or IPCC, Report released last week was clear. The world's leading climate scientists say we urgently need to address climate change.

Yet our Prime Minister's been pushing pipelines, fracking plants and oil sands, and, as far as I know, hasn't even mentioned this report. He ran as a climate champion, but is behaving like a climate denier. I wish there was a way we could keep him accountable.

GOOD TIME: That's pretty depressing.

NOWCA (sighing): Ya, sometimes all the bad news gets to me. I feel sad about the new fracking development in Kitimat...

GOOD TIME: That's the problem, isn't it? Sometimes there's so much bad news. The friends I brought liked the event, but talking with them about it afterwards they say I'm turning into a downer. I want to have fun just like them, but I'm learning about so much depressing stuff. I guess I'm feeling overwhelmed.

PER (walking through the door): Boy, it's a wet one out there! Why are you both lying on the floor?

GOOD TIME: Hi Per. We're just feeling kind of down.

image courtesy of Pixabay

PER: How about a cup of tea? And, look! I bought a zucchini loaf. It was on sale.

GOOD TIME and NOWCA slowly got up off the floor and sat down at the kitchen table. PER made a pot of tea and brought over plates and cutlery.

PER: I'm just warming the loaf up in the oven. Nice to see you both semi vertical.

NOWCA: Did you enjoy the proportional representation meeting, Per?

PER: Yes, I did. I felt empowered afterwards, like there's something I can do to improve the state of the world by voting in the municipal elections and for pro rep. It gave me a sense of purpose. As a matter of fact, I volunteered to do more.

GOOD TIME: Really? You didn't find it kind of overwhelming?

PER: Kind of, but I can learn. It was like opening a door to a new perspective; one that's a lot more inspiring than a lot of the news I take in. I like the idea of making our society more democratic, peaceful, and stable, and that's what pro rep will do.

NOWCA: Your enthusiasm's contagious, Per. Thanks for cheering us up. Is that a bit of sunshine peeking through the clouds?

image courtesy of Pixabay

PER (getting up): I think the loaf's warmed up by now.

GOOD TIME: And thanks for bringing us zucchini loaf! What did you volunteer to do?

PER (bringing the loaf to the table): Well, remember those signs we made? We're going to do something with them before the referendum. So I'm helping to organize a planning meeting. Wanna come?

GOOD TIME: How can I say no? I'm bubbling with enthusiasm now. And a few minutes ago I was lying on the floor. I'll see if some of my other friends want to come too.

NOWCA: I'll be there. Per, you're such a catalyst for change! You're so inspiring and up lifting.

PER: Thanks, Nowca. It made me realize how much power I actually have to make positive changes in the world, and how much those changes are needed. I wish I'd gotten involved sooner, but better late than never. We don't have to just sit there feeling scared and helpless, we can change things together. It's really exciting!

MR. PIPELINE (walking through the door): Blast this weather! I hope it hasn't ruined my hat.

PER: You're just in time for zucchini loaf, Mr. Pipeline.

MR. PIPELINE (joining them at the table, helping himself to a piece of zucchini loaf): Don't mind if

I do!

GOOD TIME: That was nice of Per to pick up zucchini loaf for us, wasn't it?

MR. PIPELINE: Yes, it was.

NOWCA: We were just talking about the latest IPCC Report, proportional representation and the municipal elections.

MR. PIPELINE: I don't see the connection between those things.

NOWCA: Well, voting for climate champions municipally and bringing in pro rep provincially will make it easier for our political representatives to make our province more environmentally friendly, and keep money out of politics. We were talking about going to an event in support of pro rep.

MR. PIPELINE: I'd like to come and present a different perspective.

GOOD TIME: That's part of what pro rep is all about; allowing all voices to be heard. So we'd welcome what you have to say too.

MR. PIPELINE: You think so, do you? I'm not a fan of pro rep or the IPCC.

NOWCA: That's hard for me to understand, Mr. Pipeline. Don't you have any concern about what kind of future we're creating? What makes you happy, anyways?

MR. PIPELINE: The simple things in life make me happy: a big fat bank account and watching my opponents squirm. Isn't that what we all want?

PER: I think it's fair to say we all want enough money to get by, but why would we want to watch our opponents squirm?

MR. PIPELINE: It's part of feeling like a winner, knowing you've defeated someone.

NOWCA: So the idea of compromising and collaborating encouraged by pro rep isn't your cup of tea.

MR. PIPELINE: No, it's not.

GOOD TIME: And the future? What about it? What about climate change? Do you want more smoky summers -- and worse?

MR. PIPELINE: I don't concern myself with things like that.

NOWCA: Some of us believe we're the place of power between generations. Don't you feel a sense of responsibility for the kind of world we'll be leaving?

MR. PIPELINE: Why should I? I'll leave it to the do gooders among us, and keep my eye on the bottom line.

PER: You know what, Mr. Pipeline, I feel sorry for you.

MR. PIPELINE: Why?

PER: Because you're missing out. Sure you might have a big fat bank account, but I can tell you making people happy is much more fun than making them squirm. And there's joy to be had in helping the world to become a better place that you'll never know.

MR. PIPELINE: I'll believe it when I see it.

PER: Maybe you'll get your chance to see it at our pro rep event.

Voting for a Better Future

Finishing up their pumpkin pie, Good Time, Per and Mr. Pipeline looked out the window at the hail that was pummelling the ground.

image courtesy of Pixabay

Just in time, the garden had been put to bed, pumpkins and squash harvested. Compost and leaves covered the soil, protecting and nourishing it for the winter.

They felt cozy with the Autumn wind howling outside and the smell of pumpkin pie lingering in the air.

Per was pouring cups of chamomile tea.

*******

PER (sipping tea): I wonder how people are doing who don't have a home? We're so lucky to be indoors in this weather.

MR. PIPELINE: Who cares! There've always been homeless people. They have places they can go. Anyways, they're not our problem. (taking a sip of tea) This is bland, but if it helps me get a better sleep I'll tolerate it.

PER: Chamomile should do the trick. When it comes to homeless people, it depends on the way you look at it, Mr. Pipeline. To some of us, what happens to people in our society is everybody's responsibility.

MR. PIPELINE: Fools!

PER: And the kind of world we leave future generations is important to many of us too.

image courtesy of Pixabay

MR. PIPELINE: Why should we care? We'll be dead then anyways.

NOWCA (entering the room, and sitting at the table): Per, since you're concerned about others, are you going to vote in the municipal elections?

PER: I find politics so confusing...and I don't think it does any good anyways. Tea?

NOWCA: I'd love some! Thanks, Per. (accepting a cup)

GOOD TIME: And voting is so boring.

MR. PIPELINE: Now you're talking! It's boring and it doesn't make any difference -- so why bother?!

NOWCA: There, now you're all on the same page. How do you feel about that Per and Good Time?

PER: It makes me think maybe I should vote.

GOOD TIME: Actually, voting itself doesn't sound too bad -- just marking a ballot. But how do we know who to vote for?

NOWCA: There are two elections coming up where we can make a big difference in the world -- the municipal elections and the referendum on proportional representation in BC -- and I can find the resources to help you make up your minds. Here's what Fair Vote Canada has to say about proportional representation in BC.

Hey, Good Time and Per, would you mind giving me a hand folding these pamphlets? I need them for a proportional representation event tomorrow.

GOOD TIME (sitting across from NOWCA at the table): I'll help. Tell me about proportional representation, NOWCA. I keep hearing different things about it, but it's confusing to me.

NOWCA (folding): Basically it makes every vote count. The proportion of votes cast reflects the proportion of political representatives. It makes for a more stable government too, getting rid of what's called 'policy lurch'. That's where a party gets a majority and undoes all the work of the previous administration. With proportional representation, people have to work together instead of opposing each other all the time.

MR. PIPELINE: There's nothing wrong with our current system and, as a matter of fact, proportional representation is scary!

PER (joining the others at the table, folding pamphlets): What's so scary about it to you, Mr. Pipeline? I've seen some really slick ads and brochures that say how bad it is, but everyone I talk to seems to want it.

image courtesy of Pixabay

MR. PIPELINE: It's complicated; it's some new fangled thing we don't need; it's anti-democratic.

NOWCA: Anti-democratic! How so?

MR. PIPELINE: It's not what we have now! There's nothing wrong with our democratic system of electing governments. Why change what we have?

NOWCA: Because what we have now isn't very democratic. Countries around the world are moving to proportional representation and away from first past the post, the system we have now. We have a chance to implement it here in BC.

MR. PIPELINE: Oh ya? What countries?

NOWCA: Lets see: Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg and Switzerland to name a few. And none of them have reverted back to first past the post. Why do you think that might be?

PER: Maybe they like the fact that everyone's vote counts.

GOOD TIME: Or maybe it's more fun working collaboratively and not fighting so much.

PER: And I bet they get a lot more done that way too.

image courtesy of Pixabay

MR. PIPELINE: What would politics be without drama?! It's about dominating one's opponent, and ramming through an agenda. Proportional representation might get in the way of industry.

NOWCA: Maybe it's time for politicians to stand up to industry, and protect our environment more. Remember our smoky summer? That's nothing compared to what could come. What's it going to take to start addressing climate change?

PER: A lot of people running for City Council are talking about climate change.

NOWCA: Yes, that's another arena where we citizens can use our power to change society's direction.

MR. PIPELINE: Why change direction? Our society isn't perfect, but it's what we've got. And, besides, there is no alternative.

GOOD TIME: Sure there is! People who like to have a good time know that the alternatives are way more fun. Going to an outdoor market or even a food co-op or a locally owned coffee shop is way more fun than going to a chain anything. Clothing swaps are free and super fun. And the gift economy just feels good.

PER: I think of Bruce Cockburn's song: "The trouble with normal is it always gets worse."

MR. PIPELINE: Those are small potatoes! They're not what our society's all about.

NOWCA: Maybe they're a stepping stone. Maybe they're just a taste of what a fairer, greener economy might feel like. It sounds like more fun to me too.

PER: Back to the municipal election, I find it easier to figure out who to vote for, since lots of the people running are ordinary people in the community. I know what they're involved with, and what kinds of people they are.

GOOD TIME: I know some of them too, and the ones I know do a lot of really good things. They seem to care about our community. I don't know any of the people running for Mayor though.

NOWCA: Even if you only vote for the ones you know and respect, you're helping to determine the kind of future our city gets. You don't have to vote for all six; you can just vote for the ones you support. In our community, we'll have lots of resources letting us know where all the candidates -- councillors and mayoral -- stand. So you'll be able to pick the ones who share your views. I'll be sure to get those materials to you. Maybe we can even go to some all candidates meetings. Then you can ask them questions.

MR. PIPELINE: Right now, smarter people than you -- experts in their fields -- run things. You don't need to vote: just leave it to them.

NOWCA: Mr. Pipeline, that's not a very democratic attitude. We should choose who represents us and what direction we want for our community. And in the age of climate change, we need to start paying attention to which candidates are committed to a greener, fairer future. In many ways, it's people not taking the time to pay attention and vote who've allowed the pollution to build up. If we were paying attention, we'd have made the polluters stop long ago.

GOOD TIME: Gee, I hadn't thought of that. Taking a bit of time to pay attention could have prevented a lot of the problems we have now, maybe even our smoky summer...

NOWCA (looking at all the folded brochures): Thanks for your help folding,  Per and Good Time. I hope you'll all come to the proportional representation event tomorrow. You'll probably get to meet some of the candidates for the municipal elections there too. There'll be food and speakers, and even sign making!

GOOD TIME: Could be fun! I think I will.

PER: Me too. I want to learn more about proportional representation and the candidates.

MR. PIPELINE: I've got better things to do than waste my time with this silliness: money to make, people to see, officials to bribe...

NOWCA, GOOD TIME and PER all stare at MR. PIPELINE

PER: Officials to bribe?!

MR. PIPELINE (squirming in his chair): Come on -- I was just kidding...

GOOD TIME: No wonder you don't want us to vote! I'm going to the event tomorrow and I'm bringing friends.

image courtesy of Pixabay