The Canadian Taxpayers Federation always struck me as frustrated Libertarians who compromised themselves enough to support Harper’s Conservatives on fiscal issues so they did not look extreme. Ironic don’t you think.
Well they have done some good work that Progressives like me have tended to overlook. The CTF work product that recently caught my eye at first glance looked like it originated with the Rhinoceros Party. To presume that would be wrong. It is the handiwork of the CTF and it underscores the depth of cynicism in the Canadian public over confidence in our political leaders to keep election promises.
This CTF sponsored poll was done way back in January 2008, when nobody was really paying attention, post Christmas and way before an election was anticipated. The poll asked at least one fundamental question that must have been judged as top of mind for every engaged Canadian by the CTF.
Q19 - Which is more likely to happen... Politicians will keep their election promises or Scientists will prove the existence of Big Foot.
The results will astound you. 58% of Canadians have more faith in science proving the existence of Big Foot than they do in politicians keeping election promises. Only 27% of Canadians chose the honest politician option.
This result is funny, then sad and finally, it is depressing, as you think about it. This shows just how inadequate we have come to view our democracy and the condition of politics in Canada these days.
The political cynicism about political leadership was consistent across the board, demographically and geographically. Only my Alberta and in good old Sask/Man, both Harper Conservative strongholds, was there any sense of some variation.
In Alberta only 51.5% of us favoured Big Foot’s discovery over trusting politicians. A full 18.4% of us were “Unsure or Undecided, so I am not sure where 1 in 5 of us is leaning (sic) to being unsure about such a question.
Sask/Man folks were split equally between believing in Big Foot or in believing political promises. Not sure what that says about voters there either but I will default to being "encouraged" that they took the question seriously (sic).
We already know Harper does not keep promises like Income Trusts and he breaks his own laws like Fixed Election Dates. Just imagine what Harper would do to us with the absolute power of a majority government! It is starting to look that that Harper majority will be the unfortunate outcome to this election.
You always get the government you deserve in a democracy. Cynicism is not an option this election.
Well they have done some good work that Progressives like me have tended to overlook. The CTF work product that recently caught my eye at first glance looked like it originated with the Rhinoceros Party. To presume that would be wrong. It is the handiwork of the CTF and it underscores the depth of cynicism in the Canadian public over confidence in our political leaders to keep election promises.
This CTF sponsored poll was done way back in January 2008, when nobody was really paying attention, post Christmas and way before an election was anticipated. The poll asked at least one fundamental question that must have been judged as top of mind for every engaged Canadian by the CTF.
Q19 - Which is more likely to happen... Politicians will keep their election promises or Scientists will prove the existence of Big Foot.
The results will astound you. 58% of Canadians have more faith in science proving the existence of Big Foot than they do in politicians keeping election promises. Only 27% of Canadians chose the honest politician option.
This result is funny, then sad and finally, it is depressing, as you think about it. This shows just how inadequate we have come to view our democracy and the condition of politics in Canada these days.
The political cynicism about political leadership was consistent across the board, demographically and geographically. Only my Alberta and in good old Sask/Man, both Harper Conservative strongholds, was there any sense of some variation.
In Alberta only 51.5% of us favoured Big Foot’s discovery over trusting politicians. A full 18.4% of us were “Unsure or Undecided, so I am not sure where 1 in 5 of us is leaning (sic) to being unsure about such a question.
Sask/Man folks were split equally between believing in Big Foot or in believing political promises. Not sure what that says about voters there either but I will default to being "encouraged" that they took the question seriously (sic).
We already know Harper does not keep promises like Income Trusts and he breaks his own laws like Fixed Election Dates. Just imagine what Harper would do to us with the absolute power of a majority government! It is starting to look that that Harper majority will be the unfortunate outcome to this election.
You always get the government you deserve in a democracy. Cynicism is not an option this election.
My name is Brian LaBelle and I am the NDP candidate in Edmonton-Sherwood Park.
ReplyDeleteThe only campaign promise I can make that I can guarantee I will keep is that if I am elected, I will be donating $1000 a week of my salary BACK to the constituency in the form of donations to family and community support organizations.
As a child and youth care worker in Alberta, I have made an average of $30,000 per year since I started my career. I do not need $154,000 a year to try and help the citizens of Edmonton-Sherwood park achieve their full potential. I am always critical of pay-raises to elected officials but I don't feel I can be so critical without putting my money where my mouth is and returning that money to the tax-payers.
I look forward to winning and being kept in check by every blogger who doubts my sincerity.
A lot of this has to do with the greatest political scandal in Canadian history - that is the Liberal sponsorship scandal where the liberals stole millions and millions of taxpayer dollars, much of it in brown envelopes under the table. Liberals should feel ashamed of themselves for that - they are getting punished for their lack of moral fortitude in this election.
ReplyDeleteAnon - read the Gomery Report on Adscam and get your facts straight. NO POLITICIANS were involved. It was a few millions for sure but by crooked businessmen, some of whom are in jail, others are bankrupt on their way to jail and some of the money has been recovered.
ReplyDeleteNow we know Brian Mulroney, Harper's mentor and advisor, took money for lobbying while still an MP. We know that because he admitted it, he only quibbled about the price.
Harper promised a pubic inquiry into this Mulroney/Schreiber Affair. Mulroney admitted taking cash while still a POLITICIAN. Mulroney is a former Prime Minister and a lawyer, so you would think he might know better.
Harper has delayed any effort to deliver on the public inquiry promise into this sordid matter for so long the evidence trail may have gone cold. How convenient. How typical.
Good for you Brian and thanks for the comment.
ReplyDeleteIn Alberta we are paying child care, long term care and disability sector workers such low wages. I know the seriousness of the low wages consequences in getting enough skilled and trained staff in the disability sector because a represent the Alberta Council of Disability Services.
Generosity and compassion are great qualities but they are not enough for political office. What else do you have to offer?
Ed Stelmach has kept his word in pushing a right-wing agenda for this province.
ReplyDeleteHey NDP candidate. If you guys were in government you wouldn't have $1,000.00 a week - you'll claw it all back in your socialist tax cuts!
ReplyDelete