The Farrell Manifesto.

NormNot
WillVille


Norm Farrell is concerned that our fragile democracy is currently at risk in Canada.

As such, Norm thinks we should consider the following:

• Public funding of election campaigns;
• Rewards for voting and penalties for not voting;
• Training for politicians that emphasizes their first duty is to the public, not the party;
• Implement term limits;
• Strict accountability for politicians and senior public servants;
• Limit the power of unelected bureaucrats and institutions;
• Reduce or end the influence of paid lobbyists and special interest groups;
• Increase transparency in all functions of government and government agencies;
• Address economic disparities to create a more equitable society;
• Protect marginalized groups and ensure their participation in democratic processes;
• Limit the influence of those who consciously spread disinformation;
• Take regular advice from citizen forums involving people selected at random.

Personally, I reckon it is hard to argue against any of Norm's suggestions.

Regarding the lobbying thing, I've seen how insidious/corrosive that can be, up close.

Awhile back I was doing some science geek volunteering for a health charity that does really good work for many constituencies. When I noticed that they used a lobbyist I asked why and was informed that this was the only way they could consistently get in front of, not just elected officials, but also the politically appointed bureaucrats that run things. Essentially, it was that arms race thing that we also see with political donations wherein even good actors are afraid not to play the game for fear of being shut out of the system.



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Hopium Over Ottawa?

PollieOllieOxen

FreeVille

Fed Lib firebrand Evan Scrimshaw took a lot of heat for his long time insistence that big changes, including a leader change, had to happen to protect the party from an electoral massacre.

And now, well, Mr. Scrimshaw just can't help but say 'I told you so':

...In late September, I did a podcast about Ontario, but at the end I teed off on the Federal circumstances, and the fact that there was no sense of urgency despite the fact that the Liberals had just lost a second safe seat Byelection weeks before. It was obviously an exaggeration - I was not, in a literal sense, the only person trying to get Trudeau to resign, but it wasn’t much of one. That my motives and my loyalty to country were so routinely maligned by those defending the PM was infuriating, because all of this came from a sincere belief that the Liberal Party unburdened by Trudeau would be at least in somewhat fighting shape. And I have been completely vindicated, with today’s Pallas release reaffirming again that this is a tight race...

And what is this vindication born of a one-off poll from an a polling outfit called Pallas all about this time Alfie?

This:

So.

Is this a real trend or just hopium for desperate Laurentianistas everywhere?


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