MY CANADA PREDICTS ELECTION OUTCOME REASONING
With the 2016 Canadian Federal election in
less than 100 days it might be time for some personal observations in this MY
CANADA column, blog, essay or whatever the piece might be named. Terry Fallis
in his Stephen Leacock award winning novel The Best Laid Plans defines the need
for a different type of politician correctly. Addressing a university professor
main character that Daniel Addison cajoled the into running and winning a seat
in the House of Commons Fallis’ description of what a candidate should be in
the eyes of the electorate outlines needed characteristics. He writes the
person should be committed to public interest regardless of political
consequences. It should be someone who cannot above all else be bought off
while prepared to serve for only a short term rather than make a career of
political pandering for the sake of increased income. Probably the opposite of
the reason most people are prepared to become voter choices in today’s world of
politics.
It is difficult to comprehend the reasoning behind the Harper Government indignation with the Mulcair NDP using attack ads to discredit the Conservatives. Just observe almost any television channel and there will be a Conservative ad attacking Justin Trudeau for being youthful. The fact is the Trudeau Liberals are poised to regain dozens of seats lost during the 2011 campaign even if not in position to form a government The fact the Liberals are gaining so many seats could easily lead to a minority government giving them the balance of power and a great opportunity. The scenario might be to collapse the minority status at the pleasure of the Liberals to make a more concentrated attempt at forming a majority government in the near future.
With the entire world in turmoil or undecided about the future of politics it leads to wondering if the Canadian election results will really mean that much in the overall picture aside from hoping the best party will emerge to deal with Canada’s future. The Harperite’s battling senate scandals, backbencher stumbles with media interviews, a crumbling economic situation and possibly more oil price challenges have a tough road to the October election. With crude oil prices struggling to stay at the $50 per barrel level or above the Iran proposed settlement based on nuclear power could be bad news. Reports indicate Iran has a million barrel stockpile of unsold crude oil which can’t help but affect future world prices. A Report Canada is teetering on the brink of a recession the Conservative party reluctantly finally admitted recently is a serious downturn adding to the chances of a change of government. Provinces such as Ontario, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and Alberta opted for NDP governments over the years and it seems reasonable the constant echo for change could result in a national NDP government for the first time. What a change it would be to have a Mulcair led New Democrat government in Ottawa. It would be even more of a challenge to tradition if the October vote results gave The New Democratic Party a majority guaranteeing at least 4 years of governing.
A main issue not even under discussion by any of the parties seeking election is the price of gasoline at the pumps. Every day the price for crude oil fluctuates as does the price of a liter of gasoline for the travelling public. Without exception every time the price rises fractionally the pump price jumps several cents. When crude prices drop sometimes several dollars the pump price reduces a cent of two at the most. The practice is undoubtedly designed to move the pump price upwards hoping it won’t be noticed by buyers. Observing the reaction from Americans to same scenario in television coverage depicts people reacting against both the oil giants and politicians. In Canada the reaction from most people at the pumps is the cost must be paid regardless since gasoline is a need not a luxury. It is little wonder the politicians looking for another four years at the helm of Canadian politics look the other way with regard to steadily rising prices. The longtime tendency to explain the rise in price is to blame the falling dollar for the rise or point to trouble refining the product at U.S. refineries. The excuses since Canada is world a major oil producing nation doesn’t make sense. It seems all parties are content to point at past errors in judgments or scandalous actions by the other party rather than present comprehensive plans to build refineries in Canada to relieve the high cost factor for Canadians.
The trend is similar in many other industries while instead of promoting Canadian growth for job escalation and better product pricing every party is content to rely on expanding trade with other countries. The situation to any clear thinking person is the government seems intent on making certain other nations will prosper while Canadians pay the price, (albeit probably lower dues to overseas labour costs) than nationally produced goods. Is it not time to consider growing Canada’s GNP to win the election instead of trashing the other party’s political performance? Of course any party suggesting such radical action would be subject to the familiar attack by all political parties that the cost of such radical change would bankrupt the country. Luckily the politicians that built this great world respected nation put ideas and tentative solutions ahead of personal gain.
One final item voters should consider is the reason so many mostly long serving members of parliament are deciding not to run for another term. Some of the candidates are people the government appointed to high paying prestigious jobs as powerful ministers. The reason in most instances although claiming to be for family reasons might actually be financial. It would be interesting for someone or group to research the difference in guaranteed future income for each individual making the decision. Most are aware every person serving in parliament is guaranteed a lucrative pension compared to other careers for serving a minimum amount of time. Is there a reason the post government income would be reduced under circumstances such as losing a powerful position or being a member of a party that loses the power of governing the country. It would be interesting to hear the results of such research.
Power it is documented corrupts and greater power corrupts completely. The situation leads to wondering if the people purported to serving for good of the people are really deserving of the word honorable before their name.
It is difficult to comprehend the reasoning behind the Harper Government indignation with the Mulcair NDP using attack ads to discredit the Conservatives. Just observe almost any television channel and there will be a Conservative ad attacking Justin Trudeau for being youthful. The fact is the Trudeau Liberals are poised to regain dozens of seats lost during the 2011 campaign even if not in position to form a government The fact the Liberals are gaining so many seats could easily lead to a minority government giving them the balance of power and a great opportunity. The scenario might be to collapse the minority status at the pleasure of the Liberals to make a more concentrated attempt at forming a majority government in the near future.
With the entire world in turmoil or undecided about the future of politics it leads to wondering if the Canadian election results will really mean that much in the overall picture aside from hoping the best party will emerge to deal with Canada’s future. The Harperite’s battling senate scandals, backbencher stumbles with media interviews, a crumbling economic situation and possibly more oil price challenges have a tough road to the October election. With crude oil prices struggling to stay at the $50 per barrel level or above the Iran proposed settlement based on nuclear power could be bad news. Reports indicate Iran has a million barrel stockpile of unsold crude oil which can’t help but affect future world prices. A Report Canada is teetering on the brink of a recession the Conservative party reluctantly finally admitted recently is a serious downturn adding to the chances of a change of government. Provinces such as Ontario, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and Alberta opted for NDP governments over the years and it seems reasonable the constant echo for change could result in a national NDP government for the first time. What a change it would be to have a Mulcair led New Democrat government in Ottawa. It would be even more of a challenge to tradition if the October vote results gave The New Democratic Party a majority guaranteeing at least 4 years of governing.
A main issue not even under discussion by any of the parties seeking election is the price of gasoline at the pumps. Every day the price for crude oil fluctuates as does the price of a liter of gasoline for the travelling public. Without exception every time the price rises fractionally the pump price jumps several cents. When crude prices drop sometimes several dollars the pump price reduces a cent of two at the most. The practice is undoubtedly designed to move the pump price upwards hoping it won’t be noticed by buyers. Observing the reaction from Americans to same scenario in television coverage depicts people reacting against both the oil giants and politicians. In Canada the reaction from most people at the pumps is the cost must be paid regardless since gasoline is a need not a luxury. It is little wonder the politicians looking for another four years at the helm of Canadian politics look the other way with regard to steadily rising prices. The longtime tendency to explain the rise in price is to blame the falling dollar for the rise or point to trouble refining the product at U.S. refineries. The excuses since Canada is world a major oil producing nation doesn’t make sense. It seems all parties are content to point at past errors in judgments or scandalous actions by the other party rather than present comprehensive plans to build refineries in Canada to relieve the high cost factor for Canadians.
The trend is similar in many other industries while instead of promoting Canadian growth for job escalation and better product pricing every party is content to rely on expanding trade with other countries. The situation to any clear thinking person is the government seems intent on making certain other nations will prosper while Canadians pay the price, (albeit probably lower dues to overseas labour costs) than nationally produced goods. Is it not time to consider growing Canada’s GNP to win the election instead of trashing the other party’s political performance? Of course any party suggesting such radical action would be subject to the familiar attack by all political parties that the cost of such radical change would bankrupt the country. Luckily the politicians that built this great world respected nation put ideas and tentative solutions ahead of personal gain.
One final item voters should consider is the reason so many mostly long serving members of parliament are deciding not to run for another term. Some of the candidates are people the government appointed to high paying prestigious jobs as powerful ministers. The reason in most instances although claiming to be for family reasons might actually be financial. It would be interesting for someone or group to research the difference in guaranteed future income for each individual making the decision. Most are aware every person serving in parliament is guaranteed a lucrative pension compared to other careers for serving a minimum amount of time. Is there a reason the post government income would be reduced under circumstances such as losing a powerful position or being a member of a party that loses the power of governing the country. It would be interesting to hear the results of such research.
Power it is documented corrupts and greater power corrupts completely. The situation leads to wondering if the people purported to serving for good of the people are really deserving of the word honorable before their name.