THE ESSENTIALS OF VOTING ON OCTOBER 19, 2015
MY CANADA observes either voters are still uncommitted or are not telling pollsters true voting preferences with three weeks until Election Day October 19, 2015. The numbers according to every polling firm are shifting daily with party leads in a similar state. Maybe the situation isn’t surprising since the only voting decision by those bothering to cast a ballot is made in the polling booth. In reality if a person is undecided telling a pollster telephoning your home is always open to change. As demonstrated by recent election outcomes the only ballot that will count is the one entering the ballot box.
The election is different than any in the past almost 150 years. The transition to today’s electioneering seems to have been progressing for the past half century. Canadians allowed politicians to take control of almost everything important in the way the country operates and is conceived by the world. Many people feel the change was perpetuated by both the Chretien Liberal and more recently the Harper Conservatives once awarded majority status. Such changes as fewer Federal Provincial meetings, legislation debates ending at the whim of the party in power if opposition party members weren’t in agreement with terms and conditions included in the legislation under discussion or more frequently while under debate.
The fact that the Senate is stacked with party members by the Conservatives and previously the Liberals while in power was another change not considered positive by many. The original role of appointed senators to act as a chamber of second thought with regard to proposed House of Commons legislation has been nullified to a great degree by partisan appointments of people not previously qualified to sit in the upper chamber.
The new politicking trend attacking the other party and its leader in the media through advertising programs is another major change in the way elections are now conducted. Formerly the method was convincing the voter with needed and desired offers derived from country-wide discussions at the riding level to prove your party is the best alternative. Original catering to the voter is now considered unnecessary except with lip service at election time.
The greatest change threatening Canada’s democracy is the disinterest a large percentage of voters display by refusing to take time to vote. People in other countries recently shedding or neutralizing dictatorships line up for hours to cast a ballot. Sometimes the line ups are only in hope the situation will change. A great many of Canada’s young people and even those in their 20’s and 30’s feel voting is unimportant. The situation is the fault of all politicians and to a greater extent the education curriculum apparently placing a low priority on teaching the importance of voting. Few realize the vote is Canada’s only means of controlling politicians and making certain the parties meet the nation’s wishes and desires. Little by little with increasing frequency politicians are serving the party instead of the voter. The long term result will undoubtedly spell disaster unless the situation changes.
Even the most powerful corporations in the world make certain a balance of power and sharing is maintained to assure continued growth and allegiance from management and employees. Political parties appear to put the power portion of the scenario ahead of wishes and needs of the electorate recently feeling looking more selectable is enough to retain power.
Canada has lost a great deal of prosperity and reputation due to political power needs dictated by those in control of all parties. Travelling the world as Canada’s leader to meet and vaguely promise access to the nation’s world-leading resources does not compensate for cooperation and in-depth study of the needs of countries involved in current and future planning.
The solution to all these issues facing Canada and most prosperous nations is above average leadership. The country’s domestic and world leadership has faltered in recent decades according to news reports and political analysts. Weather any of the current election #42 candidates have the leadership qualities to bring recognition back to Canada as a world leader is pure conjecture. Every Canadian eligible to vote should take the time to consider if the local candidate and his or her party leader is the right person to entrust with the future of one of the most prosperous and idolized nations in the world.
Everyone should remember the local winning candidate is a person garnering a better than average salary and a good expense account. Hiring a local staff person(s) to look after the monitory niceties government offers is only a small part of the real job. The person winning the election should be involved in local happenings while reporting regularly on issues happening in parliament rather than simply posing for pictures during local events and faithfully following the party line while sending out bulletins on personal travels throughout the riding.
The election is different than any in the past almost 150 years. The transition to today’s electioneering seems to have been progressing for the past half century. Canadians allowed politicians to take control of almost everything important in the way the country operates and is conceived by the world. Many people feel the change was perpetuated by both the Chretien Liberal and more recently the Harper Conservatives once awarded majority status. Such changes as fewer Federal Provincial meetings, legislation debates ending at the whim of the party in power if opposition party members weren’t in agreement with terms and conditions included in the legislation under discussion or more frequently while under debate.
The fact that the Senate is stacked with party members by the Conservatives and previously the Liberals while in power was another change not considered positive by many. The original role of appointed senators to act as a chamber of second thought with regard to proposed House of Commons legislation has been nullified to a great degree by partisan appointments of people not previously qualified to sit in the upper chamber.
The new politicking trend attacking the other party and its leader in the media through advertising programs is another major change in the way elections are now conducted. Formerly the method was convincing the voter with needed and desired offers derived from country-wide discussions at the riding level to prove your party is the best alternative. Original catering to the voter is now considered unnecessary except with lip service at election time.
The greatest change threatening Canada’s democracy is the disinterest a large percentage of voters display by refusing to take time to vote. People in other countries recently shedding or neutralizing dictatorships line up for hours to cast a ballot. Sometimes the line ups are only in hope the situation will change. A great many of Canada’s young people and even those in their 20’s and 30’s feel voting is unimportant. The situation is the fault of all politicians and to a greater extent the education curriculum apparently placing a low priority on teaching the importance of voting. Few realize the vote is Canada’s only means of controlling politicians and making certain the parties meet the nation’s wishes and desires. Little by little with increasing frequency politicians are serving the party instead of the voter. The long term result will undoubtedly spell disaster unless the situation changes.
Even the most powerful corporations in the world make certain a balance of power and sharing is maintained to assure continued growth and allegiance from management and employees. Political parties appear to put the power portion of the scenario ahead of wishes and needs of the electorate recently feeling looking more selectable is enough to retain power.
Canada has lost a great deal of prosperity and reputation due to political power needs dictated by those in control of all parties. Travelling the world as Canada’s leader to meet and vaguely promise access to the nation’s world-leading resources does not compensate for cooperation and in-depth study of the needs of countries involved in current and future planning.
The solution to all these issues facing Canada and most prosperous nations is above average leadership. The country’s domestic and world leadership has faltered in recent decades according to news reports and political analysts. Weather any of the current election #42 candidates have the leadership qualities to bring recognition back to Canada as a world leader is pure conjecture. Every Canadian eligible to vote should take the time to consider if the local candidate and his or her party leader is the right person to entrust with the future of one of the most prosperous and idolized nations in the world.
Everyone should remember the local winning candidate is a person garnering a better than average salary and a good expense account. Hiring a local staff person(s) to look after the monitory niceties government offers is only a small part of the real job. The person winning the election should be involved in local happenings while reporting regularly on issues happening in parliament rather than simply posing for pictures during local events and faithfully following the party line while sending out bulletins on personal travels throughout the riding.
