Our Democracy is Broken: How do we Fix it?

This is a great town hall conversation that MacLeans and CPAC had on September 23, 2009.

Check it out! http://cpac.ca/forms/index.asp?dsp=template&act=view3&pagetype=vod&lang=e&clipID=3118
Paul Wells and Andrew Coyne also had a great debate in Macleans this week.

http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/09/18/canadian-democracy-is-broken/

I think its a great discussion for Canadians to have, whatever your views are on the subject.

Youth and Politics - How to Overcome becoming the “Disengaged Generation.

I thought with the upcoming Alberta Young Liberal AGM I would make a few comments about the state of youth involvement in the political process. We, the millennial generation are quickly becoming the largest voting demographic. With that changing demographic fact incredible and world changing power is being laid at our feet. The sad thing is that we know it, but we don't seem to give a damn.

I continuously hear from young people that politics just is not for them, that involvement just isn't worth it. We often separate ourselves from the traditional political process (voting, parties, and campaigns) and place ourselves above it all. "Why would I get involved in politics its so: adversarial, dysfunctional, unwelcoming, hierarchical or difficult." Often the fact that our participation rates are dipping to close to 30% is blamed on the "broken system." We take little responsibility for our own apathy.

This is profoundly frustrating to me. Come on people, Apathy is Boring!

If we are frustrated because the system is broken we need to step up and fight for what John Ralston Saul calls, "an internal coup." As we become one of the biggest voting demographics along with the great opportunity for mobilization available through social networks, perhaps we could really work for that "coup." Actually, push forward some of the policy that we believe in and fight for in NGOs, (environment, poverty, student accessibility, etc.) in the political system.

John Ralston Saul said in a town hall held by MacLean's and CPAC held on September 23. "Democracy is Broken—How do we fix it?" (Make sure to watch this Town Hall it is fantastic!)

"At a certain point there has to be a decision made by the thousands of young people who have given their life to the NGOs that though that is great it is also comfortable. It might be time for them to ruin their lives by joining a political party and begin to affect change from the inside."

I totally agree.

20 Things Everyone Should Know About Stephen Harper and his Conservative Government

Media Release sent by the Liberal Party of Canada

September 24, 2009


1. They rigged a self-serving and politicized infrastructure stimulus program so that most of the money could land in Conservative-held ridings, delaying projects so much that only 12% are in construction and creating jobs.

2. He called Canada “second-tier socialistic country” and a “Northern European welfare state in the worst sense of the term.”

3. They put Canada on track for a deficit before the recession hit and now holds the record of the largest deficit on record at 56 billion (and climbing).

4. They failed to plan for the H1N1 flu by delaying the order of the flu vaccine and sending body bags to remote communities instead.

5. They spent 5 times more on self-promotion than informing the public on how to protect themselves from H1N1?

6. In the past two months, he has twice failed to defend Canada’s healthcare system against outrageous attacks from ultra-right Conservatives n the United States.

7. He kept Ministers in his cabinet who called the medical isotope crisis they helped create “sexy” and made jokes about the listeriosis crisis.

8. He broke his promise not to raise taxes with a $13 billion EI payroll tax.

9. They pick and choose when to protect the rights of Canadian citizens at home and abroad.

10. He called women, minorities, the disabled, and gays and lesbians “left-wing fringe groups” and Canada’s independent judiciary “left-wing ideologues.”

11. He keeps a Minister in his cabinet who openly mused about putting 10-year-olds in jail.

12. He denied that the country was in a recession and failed to plan for it, and only agreed to provide economic stimulus after causing a constitutional crisis.

13. He said he doesn’t care if “Canada ends up as one national government or two national governments or several national governments, or some other kind of arrangement.”

14. He holds the record for unelected Senate appointments for a single year — 27, more than any Prime Minister in Canadian history – after saying he would never appoint Senators.

15. He has presided over the loss of nearly a half million high quality fulltime jobs since October, with no plan to replace them with the next generation of jobs.

16. He has pushed for amending the Canada Health Act to allow for-profit-pay-as-you-go Medicare in this country and abdicated any federal role in ensuring its guiding principles of public administration, comprehensiveness, universality, portability, and accessibility.

17. He said "There will be no special status, formally or informally, for Quebec or any other province."

18. He pushed for further deregulation and less oversight over banks and financial institutions.

19. He has done nothing to address the hollowing out of corporate Canada due to a weakening in foreign takeover rules.

20. He bragged that he was opposed to government programs to eliminate child poverty and promote cultural identity.

Harper’s partisanship puts Parliament in jeopardy — again

Letter to the Editor in the September 21, 2009 edition of the Edmonton Journal

Written by Wendy Butler President of the Alberta Women's Liberal Commission

Re: "Liberals take verbal pot shots at Tories over leaked video," The Journal, Sept. 11.

The video showing Stephen Harper addressing the party faithful is a wake-up call for all Canadians, especially Canadian women. Apparently, if you support early childhood education, child-care programs, access to the courts, or even expressing a different opinion than the ruling Conservatives, you are a leftist or a socialist.

I contend that Harper is presenting a very narrow and a frightening view of what his Conservative party deems as their Canada. Personally, the idea of right and left is not that simple, nor is it helpful when he is supposed to be representing the best interests of all Canadians, especially Canadian women. The idea that either you are for us or against us is divisive and only proves that Conservatives are intolerant to the needs of all of our children and the right to seek redress in our court system. It is the lack of foresight on the part of the Conservatives who continuously devalue the benefits of early education and quality child-care programs that is so frustrating. There are numerous studies that clearly state those programs for our children would benefit all Canadians, especially when we consider the expense we incur with, dropout rates from school, juvenile crime, gang violence, etc.

There is a role for government in our society, contrary to Conservative beliefs, and gulping the talking points of the party will not alter that. It is time that we look at the problems and the future of our province and country in a rational and consultative manner, rather than pitting Canadians of different viewpoints against one another.

It is no wonder that the opposition parties are fed up with the governing style of the Conservatives. Harper has given Canadians a glimpse of what it is like in his world and that world is one where it is his way or no way.

Parliament can work effectively, but it cannot when the prime minister looks at those who do not hold his views as an enemy to be muted. That view will only destroy our democracy.

Defend Our Health Care System

This blog post was written by Kathy O'Neill - Former President of the LPCA

Why has our Prime Minister been so shockingly silent in the health care debate?

Currently our health care system (one of the best in the world) is being attacked by American Conservatives and is being undermined (as we can see in Alberta) by lawmakers at home.

It seems to me that our PM's silence is because in his heart of hearts he does not believe in our system. He has had the opportunity on more than one occasion to rise to our defence, but he has failed miserably. Our Prime Minister Harper does not see a role for the federal government in this essential service. He is happy to simply download any responsibility for your care to the provinces.

However, the federal government does have responsibility! They can, and should play a role through the funding of health services, by transferring payments of our tax dollars to the provinces and by monitoring and executing the Canada Health Act.

I remember a time when physicians, who were charging user fees, had to discontinue this because the federal government threatened to withdraw funding. This move helped to protect Canadians and helped to defend our public health system. This shows that bold action in defence of Health Care by the Federal government is possible, and does work.

I believe that since our Prime Minister is failing to defend our system it must become incumbent upon Michael Ignatieff and the Liberal opposition to vigorously defend it from those who choose to undermine and destroy it.

Canada's universal public health care system is an essential part of what makes us Canadian.

Let's Make This An Election Issue.

It is Time for Liberals in Alberta to Mobilize

This blog post was written by Maryanne Kuzio

This blog sways more towards the provincial side of Alberta politics. On this blog site we are looking for entries from all Liberals in Alberta both provincial and federal. The points made here reflect much of the difficulties that we have on both the prov. and fed level.

Enjoy!

Somehow, when I was born, I missed receiving the Conservative gene that seems to be a part of most Albertan's heritage.

One of my basic political beliefs is that NO political party should be in power for more than two terms. After two terms there are just too many entanglements and developed obligations to have a really open government. Again in Alberta I am following my own drummer.

A few years ago I did a riding by riding analysis of the election results and found many ridings where the combined Liberal and NDP vote were larger than the Conservative winner. To allow that situation to continue is unconscionable. I respect the NDP MLAs. I also realize that Alberta will never choose them as Government but their MLAs are strong dedicated members with much to contribute. The answer to me is for the NDP and Liberals to do the riding analysis and mutually agree not to run candidates in ridings in which the opposite party had the great support.

Even if the result of this is a minority Conservative Government (something really unthinkable in Alberta), we would at least have an Opposition that could be effective in influencing and actually modifying legislation. It is time for Political Parties in Alberta and not just politically active newspapers, such as the Edmonton Journal, to raise the concerns with the actions of this Government.

I have never seen a time in Alberta Politics when so many different groups have expressed outrage at Conservative Government governance. The recent by-election proves that point. The other thing the by election points out is that voting Conservatives are supporting the right wing Opposition and not the left. The Wildrose Party has enough time now to organize and become a significant force in Alberta in the next 4 years.

To place the Liberals in a position of being a Government in waiting in Alberta it must position it's self in centre. It must constantly reinforce the fact that an Alberta Liberal Government would be a fiscally responsible option. It needs to present policy options (carefully so they are not stolen by the desperate Conservatives) to prove to Albertans that their innate (it appears) conservative bent fits in well with the Liberal Party.

With a limited campaign budget Liberals are forced to use all the new technological tools that were so well developed in the US with Obama. We need to reach the approximately 58% of Albertans who decided to not even vote. We need to have candidates knocking on doors now. I met Hugh MacDonald when he knocked on my door pre election. I worked on his first campaign as a result of that meeting. We have a huge influx of new Albertans coming into Alberta each day. Let's mobilize these people.

Now is the time for action. Now is the time for technological and constituency organizations to spread the message that Alberta can have a fiscally responsible government that actually cares and listens to its constituents.

None of my comments are meant to downplay all the work that Alberta Liberals are currently doing. They just need to expand and get more people doing it with them and providing donations (no matter how small) at the same time.

A Woman in Politics Written

This blog post was written by Caitlin Schulz a Young Liberal from the University of Alberta

With the behind closed door comments Stephen Harper made in Sault Ste. Marie on Sept. 2, it has occurred to me that I should maybe re-evaluate my role in politics as a woman. If the Conservative Party of Canada feels that maybe my views are far too radical, they have definitely misjudged me. I am not a member of the ‘left-wing fringe.’ On the contrary, I sit pretty well right smack dab in the middle. Lo and behold, there’s a party that represents these values: the Liberal Party of Canada.

Women across this great nation differ on many values. Some are pro-choice, while others are pro-life. Some agree with international military commitments, while some don’t. Some think taxes are never justified, while some think that taxes can be used to help Canadians. Some believe in small government, while some believe in big government. Regardless of which view a woman takes, she should never be defined as a fringe-group based on her sex. Define her as a member of a fringe group based on her values, the space on the political spectrum her chosen party or ideology encompasses, or the political activity she participates in. Gender is not a fringe group because members of the same gender do not believe in all the same things.

Many Liberal members of Parliament wore pink buttons in the House of Commons on Tuesday in support of this idea. The Liberals have never abandoned me due to my sex like the Conservatives did two weeks ago. The re-evaluation of my role in politics has determined that now, more than ever, we need strong women to come forward and demand the same respect men receive from everyone and especially from the Conservative Party. We shouldn’t have to defend ourselves to anyone because of the gender we were born with or choose to represent.

The Liberal Party of Canada knows this, supports this, and isn’t afraid to let us know. I urge women across the country to let everyone know. Let everyone know that the Liberal Party of Canada assesses people on the merits of their arguments or values, not on how they were born.