CAUTION:  This may be the most honest thing I’ve blogged about.  PLEASE don’t judge, just love me for my honesty.  Thank you in advance. Big love!

I hate politics.  Always have.  Since my fellow Torontonians voted in Mel Lastman (manager of a furniture store) to be Mayor, I thought “I, personally, cannot make a change with one vote, OBVIOUSLY, so who cares if I vote?” Shite opinion.  I know.  But it was mine at the time, and has remained the same until very recently…..

You see, when Mel Norton became the 66th Mayor of Saint John by a gigantic landslide I couldn’t of cared less.  Was he going to fix the incredibly horrid roads?  Was he going to stop double taxing second property owners?  And furthermore, was he going to attract SOMETHING for children to do in this city?  These things, at the time, were MY personal priorities, and I knew, obviously they were not Mel Norton’s.

And then, somehow, through work I found myself temporarily next to Mel at a telethon.  We chatted and I came away thinking “this guy is ACTUALLY doing things. Important things that could never matter to me personally, but matter to us Saint Johners’ as a whole.  THIS GUY knows what he’s doing.  THIS GUY is going to great things.”

As a result of my brief visit, I vowed to vote for Mel if he ran for mayor again, I made fun of his love for Star Wars (nerd!) and liked and retweeted his humorous posts about the incredible snow storms and power outages we were having at the time.

This year, two years later, I noticed this poster across my twitter feed….

and I immediately ribbed Mel for borrowing Bruce Buffer’s catch phrase….I just couldn’t help myself when I sent him a continuous loop of Bruce Buffer screaming ‘it’s time!’ into an UFC microphone.  But, in true compliment sandwich fashion, I also complimented the poster.  I mean look at it!  His poster guy has got it going on.  From a marketing standpoint this is a DEADLY poster.  Truly.  With or without Bruce Buffer’s endorsement. 

At the time, though, I had no idea why Mel was posting clever posters - I mean, Don Darling was our new mayor - are these sour grapes posters?  what is happening here?  My curiosity got the better of me, and I spiralled down a rabbit hole of political statements, parties, promises and other garbledy gook that had always anti-piqued my interest.

Turns out, Mayor Mel is running to be the PC leader for our province.  His clever posters and as of late rural town visits are all in an attempt to become the Progressive Conservative party leader.  [sidenote:  hoping he takes his poster guy with him to the top!].

Here is what I learned during my visit to Wonderland (see what I did there?  callback to the rabbit hole reference?  I am so clever sometimes!):

- almost every party cares about the same thing, just in different ways

- the PC party of NB website is BORING AF! - check it out here: http://pcnb.ca/

- Mel’s website is WAY better (you’ll agree, head here next: www.melnorton.ca)

- Mel Norton isn’t a politician (as I envision politicians - more on that below)

- if you haven’t followed politics, you will come away from researching politics knowing LESS than you did going in

So how do you know what to vote for?  

You vote for Mel.  Plain and simple.  WHY?  Why would you take advice from someone like me?  Someone who, until recently, followed zero politics, voted based on looks and weed, and literally NEVER watched/thought/gave time to anything related to politics?

Because Mel Norton is EXACTLY who he says he is.  And that my friends, is the Catalina Wine Mixer of who should be leading us.

There is nothing phony about Mel Norton.  He is, (and could be the only) honest politician that wears his heart on his sleeve, and I don’t think we should let this opportunity pass by.

Because to me, that’s who/what Mel Norton, 66th mayor of Saint John, is.  He is NOT a politician.  He’s a friggin once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  

He says he cares about our elderly - I believe him 100%.

He says he’s going to refuse to let us be bullied by the big guys, and I believe him.

[SEE WHAT I MEAN ABOUT THE POSTERS! I have a graphics designer crush!]  We have an opportunity to make your dad, my dad, my grandpa, my husband, my brother - the leader of the PC Party.  Mel Norton IS the everyman.  He’s the honest, hardworking guy that owns the Hardware store and gives you discounts because he’s known you forever.  He’s the smartest kid in the class that does your homework because you let him ride your new bike.  He’s young enough to understand that times are changin’, yet he’s dad-age enough to handle your worries with care and thought.  He’s going to give you a straight answer, he’s going to make New Brunswick one hardworking, successful community again, and he’s going to bring us all with him to greatness. He says he’s going to refuse to let us get picked last for the baseball team of life and economy - and I believe him.

If Trump and Clinton have taught us anything (other than there is billions of Americans and those crazies picked THOSE two?? really?)  is that YOU CAN NOT vote based on what politicians say today - because they have spent countless hours on power moves and attractive ties to ensure you believe their words - you have to vote on WHO YOU TRUST.  And I trust Mel Norton.

How can you jump on my Mel Norton bandwagon of greatness (I haven’t trademarked that….it’s in the process) - you can donate a measly $10 bux, find ur voting station and go show Mel ur love here: http://pcnb.ca/join/

Think maybe PC party isn’t for you?  If Mel is promising a stronger economy, stronger families, and a stronger future, then I don’t need no stinkin’ party,  I just need the man with the plan……and I believe that man is Mel Norton.  

Somebody I barely know recently told me “all New brunswickers have a say when they place their faith in Mel Norton”, and that’s good enough for me. 

So spend the ten bucks HERE, and may the force be with you. (see that?  Mr. Norton is a Star Wars fan?  SOOOO clever I am sometimes.  OMG - even a yoda reference! I am ON POINT TODAY!)