A long walk to the polling place

We were told during orientation that postal delivery service was virtually non-existent in the Dominican Republic and that both businesses and individuals rely on couriers of one sort and another. Imagine my surprise, therefore, to come  home on today and have the building's guard call out to me with an official looking envelope in this hand. (Actually, I think he was more surprised than I.) What a treat to find I was holding my absentee ballot in my hand. For a while before I left, I was not sure I would be allowed to vote, Mr. Harper having violated the intention of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms by preventing Canadians living outside the country from voting. Fortunately, my year at home re-set the five-year clock, so I'm OK. Not so lucky are journalists, doctors, volunteers, performers and many others who still proudly hold a Canadian passport while working beyond our borders. Shame on you, Stevil!

Anyway, I am now kitted out with my tiny ballot and three envelopes, one fitting inside the other like Russian paper dolls. So what's it worth to you that I do not vote Conservative?