This story reminded me how I have thought for a long time that political parties ought to be outlawed.
One of the reasons why municipal elections are found so boring and attract few voters is the lack of poltical parties to drum up false support based on either the overlay of blandifying pap upon the real menace of the consequent preferments and disentitlements as in PEI or these sorts of bizzare accusations in Ontario where parties lust after the preferment of office itself. When the electorate actually latches on to an issue independent of the parties, as seen in New Brunswick, there is a idea that it is a derailing of what otherwise is a private dispute between the parties. The best that can be prayed for is a minority as in Nova Scotia where each idea and proposal passed through the legislature will have to be agreed upon and stand on its merit.
What to do? Wouldn't it be nice to find a place in the Constitution which would restrict the powers of these private interest associations? We can't expect them to either vote themselves restrictions or even the fairness of proportional representation so our only hope is a ancient loophole.
Comments
Humblebub - September 14, 2003 10:41 AM
It is unclear as to if your description of "blandifying pap" applies to the opinion expressed on blog, or the PC party education platform. Which is it?
BTW - "blandifying" is a wonderful word - just added to my IESPELL database.
Alan - September 14, 2003 11:27 AM
<p>Sorry - you are very right. Nothing so valuable as a kind editorial suggestion...other than a well-placed and somewhat expensive bottle in the mail. <p>I meant to link to the blog to exemplify the woeful election as a whole and not imply either the blog or the particular platform were the limits of the parameters of my charge of pap. I meant to say the entire election is wallowing in the banal. DJ Snazzy Bobby P. (my new rap name for him) made something of the same point a few days ago on the PEI election blog. I will place a better, more relevant link to that effect now:<blockquote>Old Link<p>New Link</blockquote><p><b>Note to reality</b>: The following passage from the CBC PEI election site contains some far-fetched propositions. See how many you can find:<blockquote class="smalltext">Ian Dowbiggin is professor of history at the University of Prince Edward Island. Author of four books, including the 1999 Canadian best-seller Suspicious Minds: The Triumph of Paranoia in Everyday Life, he's well-known to Maritime audiences as a controversial radio and television commentator on today's hot-button issues.</blockquote>
Humblebub - September 14, 2003 1:34 PM
Canadian best seller (huh)
Well known - yeah right
Controversial - yep about as controversial as sun-up tomorrow
Hot-button issues - jesus, where do they get this stuff.
How do they select these people?
Alan - September 14, 2003 5:33 PM
Last name familiar to the corp?