Canada is a wonderful country, one still with much promise to be realized. Yet, the country is poorly run. A large part of the blame must be placed at the feet of special interest groups. Political scandals in Canada are the norm rather than the exception, views and visions of the future when expressed by politicians are challenged for their flaws, and consensus hardly exists.
Agendas are bandied about, yet they are either misrepresented - to believe the fearmongers - , or selectively misunderstood. A fine example was to be had in the analysis of the two debates of party leaders this week. Focus was more on what was not said, than what actually was. Not all voices were represented: the Greens should have been there.
Memories are indeed short, for the issues of the recent past are not being addressed. It is almost as if the country is reluctant to grow up. The apronstrings of good government are a fantasy to wish for; achievements are measured more by lack of failure than anything else.
With the first past the post system the Liberals have enjoyed the privilege of government more than any other party. Yet the fractious nature of the country, the various local peculiarities and needs of regions means that it is not a happy body politic that is being governed, in the negative context of the word.
The apronstrings available mean that that the hot button issues of the present election campaign have more to do with special interests than the common weal. That, unfortunately, is one of the allures of this country. The legacy created by those looking for equality can no longer be found. A fine example is the misguided national gun registry, intended in a well-meaning way but useless as a crime-fighting measure. By definition laws end up only as good as those who abide by them. The other painfully obvious social issue is same-sex marriage. Again, in the interests of a vocal minority, not the silent majority. Most voters are tolerant, understanding, but why should this be an issue at all? Again, the vested interests demanding more than their share of good will. Often, at the expense of more important issues such as ecological integrity.
The Green party is fielding a candidate in every riding, yet very little is known about their platform. More than environmental issues are at hand. Mention global warming, ratifying the Kyoto protocol, and knee-jerk reactions come into play. Stephen Harper and the Conservatives are being practical by looking at alternatives. Their proposal of introducing the Clean Air Act fights smog at the source, something Kyoto does not. Harper, however, welcomes the idiocy of being able to trade emissions. It defeats the concept to give polluters such an out. Balancing emission trading with increased fines for those, as an example, who pollute our oceans is a laudable concept, but almost impossible to enforce.
Political platforms are built on hope, yet once the initial goal of gaining government has been attained hope dwindles when faced with reality. Once again, the tightrope walk of satisfying lobbies, vocal constituencies such as the same-sex people who wish to impose their values on a majority defeats good intention.
Indeed, humankind is experiencing challenges beyond those that can be legislated by the Kyoto protocol, for example. The current dogma of maximum economic growth, globalization and international competitiveness must be overhauled. Yet human nature is such that we expect to better our lot, we define success without accepting the concept of associated costs. Our reliance on fossil fuels is but one such issue.
Human social evolution is not measured by acceptance of same sex relationships as much as it is determined by integrity when dealing with nature, our environment. The NIMBY approach is perfectly logical from an evolutionary perspective. We don't wish to soil our backyards, but other backyards, preferably far away, are fair game.
The ideas behind international accords such as the Kyoto protocol intend to push the envelope further, to prevent the NIMBY thinking. Yet, it is not effective participatory decision making when emissions can be traded - the ecological integrity of such an understanding boggles comprehension. Our successes are sliding into failures with globalization being, ironically, a root cause. Citizens have become euphoric consumers; even the high cost of gasoline does not sway us from dependency on the automobile.
Working with flawed economic models such as the neoclassical concept of free markets politicians have little choice but to pander to the rich. In the real world, as Cambridge economist Joan Robinson has proved, the powerful inevitably gather more than their fair share of wealth, and thus free markets create, rather than reduce inequality. Markets may be indeed a better mechanism for making choices than government intervention, control, such as espoused by the Canadian model. But, markets cannot ensure social cohesion, cultural strength or long-term ecological viability.
Indeed, if left to the markets, massive social injustice and environmental disaster are inevitable. The ecocide of the Soviet Union's system will be felt for generations to come. Canadians are also victims of the belief that our ecosystem is capable of taking continued abuse - and as power devolves into fewer and fewer hands, crisis nears.
The present Liberal government is an indication of how things can rapidly get out of hand. Accountability is more than a catch phrase, a disappearing value. It is hard to maintain high standards when so many different vested interest are demanding more than their fair share. Equality is the obvious loser.
Environmental issues should rank high on every voter's list of concerns. The NDP's slate calls for promotion of environmentally friendly technology; along with the Liberals they are promoting adoption of wind power. Yet, considering all the entrenched interests opposed to a move from fossil fuel to renewable forms of energy - this may just be more hot air from politicians.
As this election promises to bring considerable change to the face of our nation, support for reworking our concept of success with respect for all of nature, not simply special interest groups should dominate the choices to be made, for the sake of many tomorrows to come. One cannot hide behind Ottawa's vast apron well into adulthood.
Leader: Apronstrings
Arvamus
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