My name is Deb

Hey, I'm not a painter, an actress or a musician.
I don't go to rich galas all subsidized by taxpayers.
and I don't know Jack, Stephane or Liz from Canada,
although I'm certain they're really really nice.
But I have a Prime Minister who doesn’t know what resonates with ordinary people.

I watch Canadian movies in English and French, not American.
And I spell neighbour and honour with a “u” because that’s how Canadian writers spell it in Canadian books.

I can proudly download Canadian music on my iPod.
I believe in Cancon, Soncan, not American Top 40,
diversity, not assimilation,
and that Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell are truly proud and noble songwriters.
A toque is a hat, a chesterfield is a couch (made in Canada by Canadian artists!)
and it is pronounced 'zed' not 'zee', 'zed' !!!! because that’s how I first learned it on Canadian Sesame Street.

Canada is the second largest landmass!
The first nation of hockey where Canadians sing the National Anthem on Canadian television.
and the best part of North America

My name is Deb
And I am an ordinary working Canadian!!!

Child care shift

Show of hands - how many people have heard anyone in this election address the working parents?

Ok, so the Conservations want to allow momtrepreneurs mat leave only when they pay an EI premium.

But what about the bigger issues of child care? (You do remember the mythical concept of publicly funded daycare, right?)

It's one thing to support moms and dads with newborns but the challenge is finding day care when you go back to work. Several friends of mine have their unborn children on wait lists for spots.

Here's my 3 point plan:
1. Support post-secondary schools in educating more Early Childhood Instructors.
2. Value them. Pay them more when they graduate.
3. Support opening more daycares in primary schools where infrastructure already exists.

Middle-aged white guys running for PM who likely never had to worry about it -- feel free to borrow it if you need to.

Bristol's Baby...Where's Levi?

Not since Juno, have more people had an opinion on teenage pregnancy.

This isn't about lack of sex education in the school systems. Sure, we could use more straight talk. But even 20 years ago, kids were having sex in Grade 7. And I'm even less concerned that McCain picked a running mate whose daughter isn't a virgin. Who cares?

Careless, carefree teenagers have sex all the time -- some get pregnant; some don't. But there's one thing that hasn't changed since I was in school. Where's the father?

Levi should start taking a little bit of heat and 1/2 the responsibility. Even the new math says 1 sperm + 1 egg = 1 baby.

A friend told the Dad-to-be's My Space page says "I'm a f - - -in' redneck". Sure enough. He also likes to "snowboard and ride dirt bikes but lives to play hockey, go camping and hang out with the boys, do some fishing, shoot some s- - - and just f - - -in' chill."

Nice.

Maybe Levi will just have to trade his dirt bike for a Jolly Jumper and opt to chill in the sandbox. And the potty mouth? Well that will take on new meaning when he's changing diapers.

Hopefully both of these kids will grow up quick, be responsible and become good parents.

As for a 40+ Republican Grandma in the White House, let's hope we don't have to worry about that.