ALL PARTIES NEED SOLID FUTURE PLANS IN THIS ELECTION
This edition of MY CANADA some readers will
consider negative or maybe even an impossible fantasy. The feeling results from
the way Canada’s election #42 is progressing. Every party is trying to win the
race while offering little in the way of change from the age-old political
methods that are not really working. Aside from a small percentage of diehard
party supporters that would follow the party into the clutches of the devil if
asked, almost 40% of Canadians don’t bother to vote. Some of those not voting could
care less what the politicians have in mind for the future while others are
disgusted with politics and politicians.
The first weeks of the current campaign centered on the inconsequential trail of PM Harper appointed Senator Michael Duffy’s misadventures or possible fraud. With the world teetering on the verge of a possible global recession Canadians are treated to the trail of the century because the Prime Minister and staff of the PMO were not aware the senator had received a personal cheque from a senior staffer to pay off expenses incurred for a variety of reasons including illegal living expenses to political appearances that were supposedly unauthorized. The entire fiasco seems to be little more than opposition parties attempting to discredit the Prime Minister for appointing the former well known and respected media personality to the senate. Hardly a reason to capture the media’s undivided attention at a time the Mid East is dealing with terror tactics of ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) or the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) while the world economy is in crisis. The parties it seems are not terribly interested in offering Canadians anything other than the status quo when it comes to new programs or ideas. Improvements to the same old outdated programs and governing are the only alternative offered voters by all three major power seekers.
Former Prime Minister Harper claims the election campaign is not a popularity contest yet is no longer the mirthless scowling individual reflecting anger at everything that wasn’t his idea while depicted hopping all over the world earlier this year. Tom Mulcair smiles a great deal but after watching the NDP leader (currently leading the polls) while previously firing questions in the House of Commons Question Period the smiling seems forced and maybe insincere. But that’s politics since advisers will predict people turning away if a leader is not smiling at least on TV while campaigning. Justin Trudeau is the exception. Even the Conservative attack ads admit the Liberal leaders smile is engaging. Since Conservative leader Harper can only muster a false smile, Trudeau’s beaming immediately attracted Conservative attack ads.
What is needed in the campaign is something entirely new from one of the parties such as a plan to restarts the mining industry by planning head with Aboriginal communities to establish a route to a smelters wherever most feasible. How about a party outlining a solid plan to deal with the Oilsands pollution problems at least once the price of the commodity revives. Why not at the same time the same party could consider expanding domestic refining. Outlining a really solid plan to revive the falling apart infrastructure with job numbers and costs included while stating how the money can be raised. Of course such a disclosure would require an accompanying plan to shift a great deal of current government spending.
Adding to the situation, should a small country (population wise) spend large amounts of taxpayer money to send antiquated warplanes to attack another country while neglecting the protection of our own arctic seas? Undoubtedly the attack by Canadian fighter jets is appreciated by the NATO allies involved. Canada can contribute in other less expensive and traditional ways that might not alienate the next generation of the citizens and soon to be born youngsters in the Middle East probably relieving the fear of escalating terrorism at home
Canada is the only affluent country in the world that has let the railway system lapse into third world status. As the Second largest land mass country in the world does it make any sense to be ignoring such a vital service? Our founding father didn’t think railways were unneeded.
There are so many plans and projects a country as affluent and formerly forward thinking as Canada can propose and accomplish in the future. The country could regain respect lost through some recent government misadventures by both ruling parties in the recent past. Canadians would undoubtedly be thrilled to hear about such new direction. Why must Canadian voters endure more of the same old ‘take care of me’ from elected members, the political parties and money segment controlling the way elections are formulated? There is a whole new world with spiraling technological advances waiting for the new thinking that would bring Canada back to the forefront as a future major nation.
Even with the threatening economic woes on the horizon and Canada undoubtedly already in recession while the rest of the world is either near or in a similar state planning is essential. The election is a great place to show voters our political leaders are forward thinking even in the face of uncertainty.
The first weeks of the current campaign centered on the inconsequential trail of PM Harper appointed Senator Michael Duffy’s misadventures or possible fraud. With the world teetering on the verge of a possible global recession Canadians are treated to the trail of the century because the Prime Minister and staff of the PMO were not aware the senator had received a personal cheque from a senior staffer to pay off expenses incurred for a variety of reasons including illegal living expenses to political appearances that were supposedly unauthorized. The entire fiasco seems to be little more than opposition parties attempting to discredit the Prime Minister for appointing the former well known and respected media personality to the senate. Hardly a reason to capture the media’s undivided attention at a time the Mid East is dealing with terror tactics of ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) or the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) while the world economy is in crisis. The parties it seems are not terribly interested in offering Canadians anything other than the status quo when it comes to new programs or ideas. Improvements to the same old outdated programs and governing are the only alternative offered voters by all three major power seekers.
Former Prime Minister Harper claims the election campaign is not a popularity contest yet is no longer the mirthless scowling individual reflecting anger at everything that wasn’t his idea while depicted hopping all over the world earlier this year. Tom Mulcair smiles a great deal but after watching the NDP leader (currently leading the polls) while previously firing questions in the House of Commons Question Period the smiling seems forced and maybe insincere. But that’s politics since advisers will predict people turning away if a leader is not smiling at least on TV while campaigning. Justin Trudeau is the exception. Even the Conservative attack ads admit the Liberal leaders smile is engaging. Since Conservative leader Harper can only muster a false smile, Trudeau’s beaming immediately attracted Conservative attack ads.
What is needed in the campaign is something entirely new from one of the parties such as a plan to restarts the mining industry by planning head with Aboriginal communities to establish a route to a smelters wherever most feasible. How about a party outlining a solid plan to deal with the Oilsands pollution problems at least once the price of the commodity revives. Why not at the same time the same party could consider expanding domestic refining. Outlining a really solid plan to revive the falling apart infrastructure with job numbers and costs included while stating how the money can be raised. Of course such a disclosure would require an accompanying plan to shift a great deal of current government spending.
Adding to the situation, should a small country (population wise) spend large amounts of taxpayer money to send antiquated warplanes to attack another country while neglecting the protection of our own arctic seas? Undoubtedly the attack by Canadian fighter jets is appreciated by the NATO allies involved. Canada can contribute in other less expensive and traditional ways that might not alienate the next generation of the citizens and soon to be born youngsters in the Middle East probably relieving the fear of escalating terrorism at home
Canada is the only affluent country in the world that has let the railway system lapse into third world status. As the Second largest land mass country in the world does it make any sense to be ignoring such a vital service? Our founding father didn’t think railways were unneeded.
There are so many plans and projects a country as affluent and formerly forward thinking as Canada can propose and accomplish in the future. The country could regain respect lost through some recent government misadventures by both ruling parties in the recent past. Canadians would undoubtedly be thrilled to hear about such new direction. Why must Canadian voters endure more of the same old ‘take care of me’ from elected members, the political parties and money segment controlling the way elections are formulated? There is a whole new world with spiraling technological advances waiting for the new thinking that would bring Canada back to the forefront as a future major nation.
Even with the threatening economic woes on the horizon and Canada undoubtedly already in recession while the rest of the world is either near or in a similar state planning is essential. The election is a great place to show voters our political leaders are forward thinking even in the face of uncertainty.
