Senate Reform a la Harper

So, he’s moving quickly it seems, before anyone can actually look closely enough at his proposals. Like his plan to reform the Canadian Senate.

Limiting the terms is one of the proposals, which on the surface isn’t such a bad idea. ( shocked aren’t you, but by itself, a limit on terms isn’t necessarily a bad thing. )

Then we have the ‘elected component’ of the whole thing, which frankly, combined with the limited terms, makes this a true joke, and nothing more than a way to further co-opt our Government by big business.  ( didn’t take me long to switch, did it? lol)

To begin with, if you were appointing the members, I’d go along with limiting terms. Electing them with one time shot, is just a popularity gimmick, costing taxpayers millions of dollars. It does allow for business to buy itself some more solid supporters, such as perhaps when Harper gets thrown out of office, they can get him elected to the Senate.

The other aspect that I don’t like, about term limits, is that if someone is doing a good job, gets the support of the people, why should they be forced to stop serving, simply because they have served for X number of years?

Now I know the argument is that when in power, they have too much of an advantage, in campaign fund raising, than some newcomer. It is true too, but the answer isn’t in term limits, but in campaign funding reform.  Something Herr Harper will never accept, because then he wouldn’t have such full coffers.

Personally, a limit should be set on an election campaign, and it should be 100% funded from the public treasury. No contributions by anyone, should be tax deductible, or allowed. Any contributions by people, should go to a pool, that is shared among ALL parties.  And those parties, should be any who are running candidates in at least 90% of the ridings.

New political parties should be allowed to raise private funds, but every penny needs to be fully accounted for. In other words, if a new party pops up, with a ten million dollar war chest, every penny of that money needs to be verified. EVERY PENNY!   Anyone listed as contributing, needs to be contacted, and have their donation verified, nor should it be tax deductible.

The other aspect of the Senate reform, is that it doesn’t set any standards. Many complain that today’s Senate only conduct business for a few weeks. Want bang for your buck, then make them sit more often, make them actually work at their job, define it, and enforce it. Oh, and using public money, to travel and promote a political party, isn’t what I’d call part of the job, even though Herr Harper and his Senate compatriots thought so in the last election.

The reform package introduced by Herr Harper, is not reform, but simply a way to further corrupt our political system. But hey, what the fuck do I know, I am Just a Canadian

A New Special Interest Group – The People

How the world has changed, to where our Elected Leaders all pander to one or more special interest groups. For the Harper Conservatives is appears to be Mining Companies & the Oil Industry. The NDP are tagged as being the party representing Big Labor Unions, and the Liberals, usually tagged with being supported by nameless Big Businesses.

Makes you wonder, when did Business & Labor Entities get the right to vote?

Jack Layton is out stumping these days, telling people he is going to ‘fight like hell’ for them, which seems to have made an impression.  Now, it is nice to actually hear a leader talk like that, but uh, why has that become special?

Shouldn’t every single leader be automatically a champion for us, the people?  After all, it is US who elect them, isn’t it?

Why I Will Vote for Anyone but Harper Conservatives:

• The Other Parties all have track records of supporting voters over big business interests.
• The NDP are always leading the fight for better paying jobs
• Both the NDP & LIBERALS are committed to National Health Care
• LIBERALS & GREENS support moving away from Petroleum based energy
• LIBERALS, GREENS, & NDP all support building up Canadian Business not in outsourcing to foreign interests.
• LIBERALS have a proven track record of budget restraint, that creates surpluses.
• NDP has always supported the rights of all citizens, not just the advantaged few.
• GREEN PARTY looks for alternative solutions, instead of rehashing old failed policies.

However the guiding reason is simple. With either of the other parties  ( the Bloc in Quebec, the NDP, the Green Party, & the Liberals ) I know that while special interest groups do get a hearing, do get a seat at the table, my interests are also at that very important table. It may not always be listened to, but unlike the Harper Conservatives, at least we are at the table.

After all, that is the biggest difference.  At least we, the people, irrespective of how much money we make, how much we contribute to any Political party, still gets us a seat at that table… called CANADA.

Anyone But Bought & Paid For Harper Conservatives

Campaign Diversions or Meat of the Matter

The “OTHER” parties & media, call the whole issue of allowing Green Party Leader Elizabeth May into the Leaders Debate, a diversion from the campaign.  Thing is, how does denying a voice in our political system, from being heard, a diversion?

Around One Million Canadian Voters cast their ballot for the Green Party in the last election. Does that mean, that because they were unsuccessful, their voice should remain still? That it should be hidden from other Voters?

This isn’t about being a diversion, but for me, goes to the root of the whole election process. It is about INCLUSION, and not EXCLUSION.  In other words, walk the walk folks. You all talk about including us, the people into the decision making process, yet you waffle on letting a national political party into your exclusive debate circle. Just what are you afraid of? 

Canada is a diverse nation, isn’t that why the Bloc is allowed to even run candidates, let alone have them seated in Parliament? I mean the Bloc is about Separating Quebec from Canada, in others words, break up the Confederation. Yet we allow it, encourage it even, because open debate, helps cross divides. It helps build bridges, where none existed.

So do we ignore the desires of a Million People, simply because they weren’t able to get a member elected? Do we deliberately push their voices aside, in the interests of the old gang?

As well, what does this say about our other leaders?

They ALL talk about democracy, about choices, and yet when it comes to them putting up, they all run away. To allow ANY business group to dictate who can talk to the voters, is simply Un Democratic.   IF they don’t want her to participate, then stop hiding behind some faceless consortium.  Have the balls to stand up and say that you don’t believe the Green Party should be in the debate.  Have the courage of your convictions, and say it, loud & clear, then defend it.

That is how a real leader would behave. 

If you can’t do that, for something like who can attend a political leaders debate, how well will you stand up to the US President if he wants us to go to war on something Canadians don’t support?   

Jean Chretien told George Bush NO On Iraq, because he was a real leader.

Stephen Harper wanted us to go to war with Iraq ( so badly he even stole Australia’s PM’s speech ), now has us in Libya.  If Michael Ignatieff & Jack Layton can’t stand up now, to a bunch of business execs, how will they stand up to any US President?

Diverting Attention or Boosting the Ratings?

Don’t you feel sorry for the poor Broadcast Consortium & Political Leaders?  I mean they are being diverted from their job, because of this whole Elizabeth May nonsense.  After all, she is just the leader of the Green Party, running cadidates in all ridings, but has no seats in the last Parliament. So what nerve she has, to expect to be a part of the Leaders Debate.

And pity our poor Political Leaders who have seats in Parliament. Now they have to take an extra minute or two, to answer a question of whether they oppose her inclusion, or not. I mean, gee, I bet they are sitting down right now, in some back room, plotting their strategy on how to deal with this mega issue.     NOT !

In many ways, this is actually an important issue. 

Such as: Who should decide who can attend a Leaders Debate? Should that decision not be made by those who are running?

Then how about asking why is Gilles Duceppe in the debate? After all, his party will NEVER  form the next government, so just because he has seats, he’s entitled to appear? What about say the Wester Canada Concept Party or Social Credit Party? What if they get seats in this election, while only running in one or two provinces.  Will their leader automatically be included in the next Leaders Debate?

My own opinion is simple. YES I think the Bloc should be included, as they do represent a large segment of our Nation. They do have seats in Parliament as well.  I also believe that the Green Party should be represented, simply by the fact that they have candidates running in ALL RIDINGS.  They Nationally took about 6% of the popular vote in the last election.

So YES, Elizabeth May should be in that debate, not needing a lawyer to contest the decision by a bunch of stodgy Corporate Big Wigs.

The Political Parties don’t need to spend a lot of time discussing this, or ducking the question. IF they are about DEMOCRACY and FAIR PLAY, then they should simply tell the Broadcast Consortium that either she is in, or they are out.

Course, being cynical, one could argue that this ploy by the Broadcast Consortium, is to generate interest in the Leaders Debate, to help boost possible ratings for it, when they relent and let her into the debate.  I think its called Marketing?  Where you create an interest in something, that people perhaps aren’t interested in it.

Yes, I do believe that is a real reason of why the Consortium has made its announcement. That and to perhaps protect their darling, Stephen Harper, from having another critic at the table.

The response so far, from all the Political Parties leaves me cold. I mean I expected the response by Stephen Harper, that he ‘accepts‘ the decision to not have May. I am disappointed in the lack lustre response from both Layton & Ignatieff.  They don’t ‘object’ to having her in the debate.

Like get some damn balls, and tell this Broadcast Consortium to let her in, or they can simply have a debate with only Stephen Harper attending.   Bet that would end the issue fast,  and let us get on with discussing the other issues in this election.

Record Low Turnout

So Gordon Campbell has won, Carol James has lost, but you know, the real loser here, is US.

Yeah, as it seems British Colombians are pretty lazy folk, and couldn’t be bothered to get their fat asses up off the couch, and actually VOTE in the election. I can hear it now, all those who have whined about Campbell & the Liberals, whining now for the next four years or so, because the Liberals did this or did that.

Truth is, they got what they asked for. They made a real difference, by staying home. They elected the same old crap.

Now I was talking with the wife, David, and he was saying it was a pretty boring campaign, and truth is, he is right. It really was a nothing campaign, nothing to get the blood boiling, or the juices flowing to go out and scream. But why should that matter?

It isn’t like we have to go out and stand in line with our ID for hours, and do it every month or so. We have to do it once a year, and so what if it takes an hour or two? I mean consider what we are deciding on, here.

We determine, for the next four years, the future of our Province, or Country. We are saying how we want these elected folk to deal with the Economy, with National Health, with our Resources, with Education and a host of other things. I mean come on, get real. That is what EVERY ELECTION IS ABOUT.

So we don’t like the Liberals or the NDP?

Then if you really want to shake things up, VOTE FOR A DIFFERENT PARTY!

There were more than 2 parties running, and staying at home did nothing to help send any message to these elected people, or to the two political parties we have here. Now, if we had of voted for the Conservatives or the Greens, or even an Independent, we might have sent a far more powerful message, than what we did tell them.

We told Campbell & James, that we basically don’t give a shit, about what they do. We are too busy watching television, or stuffing our faces, so why should they bother to even talk to us? Think about it, we are so selfish, we have put our own interests ahead of not just our kids, but of our neighbors. We have said, in a very loud voice, that WE DON’T CARE, DO WHATEVER YOU WANT.

So now we get what we deserve, corruption, corporate elitism, union greed, strikes, and oh yeah, those dirty hospitals won’t be any cleaner in four years, and classrooms will remain crowded, and crown corporation execs will continue to get rich, off our money. The Olympics will continue to be a cash cow for everyone, but the taxpayer, and so yep, we are getting what we deserved.

I don’t like Campbell, or James, but I didn’t stay home. Unfortunately too many did, so now we are faced with a more entrenched two party system, that only means more division, more disparage between labor and management. How is that a good thing?

That is what we did, because the majority were simply too lazy.