Wife is right in election fight

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/04/2016 (3816 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: My wife and I have fought all the way through these last months of the election because her vote always cancels mine. I am the head of this household. In my family, my mother and father voted as a unit, and that put two votes toward the best party. My wife totally refuses to support her husband.

Today I told her I loved her a little bit less for her disloyal attitude, and she said, “I don’t care!” right in my face. I held my hand back from slapping that face because I am not a violent man, but I sure felt like it. We are always at odds for a few months around election time. Our house is like a tomb now, and there will be no affection for at least a month because of this fight. I know her behaviour from other years. What do you think I should do?

— She Lacks Loyalty, East Kildonan

Dear She Lacks Loyalty: An apology from you might help. This isn’t a couples election, it’s about individual choice and a secret ballot, although most people know how their partners vote.

The business about “loving her a little bit less” was a low blow and you better set that straight quickly. You said it because you were angry. Did you mean it? That’s the kind of destructive comment you have to take back as fast as you can, as it could cause her to lose love and affection for you.

Sorry, but you’re not getting much support from this quarter. I believe it is everyone’s right to vote for the people and parties they wish. Women did not win the right to add to their husband’s voting choice, they won the right to vote as they choose.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I went for the first time to see my new boyfriend play hockey and left severely embarrassed, and also upset. He was playing with friends, but he was a hothead, a poor sport and pretty violent. I play hockey myself and know the game well. There was no need for him to act the way he did.

I didn’t wait for him outside the locker room to get changed. I told him him I would meet him at the bar where everybody was going. I drove there, but was too embarrassed of him to go in. I just sat. He came along in his car and asked why I was sitting outside. I said, “Because I’m embarrassed by the poor sportsman you are — I’m out of here!” He said, “Really? Are you kidding me? Well then, (forget) you!” and hit my window so hard it almost broke. My mom said I was lucky I saw him in action. She said the next thing he might have done was broken my nose. That made me feel sick. Do you think she was right?

— Trying to Figure it Out, Brandon

Dear Trying to Figure it Out: Your mom is right. As long as things go his way, there’s no competition and he hasn’t been rejected, this kind of guy might be fun. But when things are not going in his favour, he gets red-eyed angry. He’s used to striking out with his stick or his hands, and that can easily extend to a woman. What if that window had shattered? Stay away. Listen to your mom!

Please send your questions and comments to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6

Miss Lonelyhearts
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