Great Article on Youth and Politics

I think this article nails the problem right on the head. Youth in Canada have the education, awareness and issues that should push them into actively participating in the political arena, and yet the majority choose to reside on the sidelines. As a young Canadian who actively participates in the political process, I find the trend both maddening and inexplicable. Take a look at the article, it is definitely well thought out and articulated.

If there's and inspiration deficit in our politics, blame it on the young

- blenCOWe

What Qualifies a Leader?

The Economist, this week, published an article commenting on the differences that exist between countries and the paths that their leaders tend to follow on their way to the top. It makes for an interesting read. Check it out

- blenCOWe

More of the Same

This summer has been rife with stories of Liberal Leader Stephane Dion and his new election campaign strategy based on his new Carbon Tax plan and "strong leadership" (HA!). Dion has claimed that he feels confident contesting an election on this and in the last couple days, during the recent Conservative caucus meetings, Prime Minister Harper has dared Dion on to bring down the government in the fall.

Well what does this mean for the average Canadian citizen?

Facing prominent issues like the environment, the economy, and crime it looks like we are likely to see another session of parliament plagued by the threat of party politics and poor policy discussion.

The opposition parties pay little or no attention to the actual benefits of the Conservative policies, only to their own fates, completely ignoring the actual welfare of the Canadian people.

The only good thing that would happen with fall election would be that the Conservative party gained a majority in the House of Commons and this recent period of limited minority governance would be over.

Here we go again!

- blenCOWe

Money doesn't fix everything!

As the country's political leaders descended on Calgary for the Stampede, public relations and fundraising were never far out of thought. Now, building up financial support is always a forethought for political parties, whether or not an election looms. But for the Liberal party, its ability to plump up its coffers will be influential in determining when the next election will occur.

This summer is being touted as the run-up to a fall election that will determine the fate of Stephane Dion as the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. With this in mind, he is devoting these summer months to promoting his Carbon Tax plan and filling those campaign coffers.

How will Dion and the Liberals accomplish their fundraising aims? The Victory Fund of course!

Supporters may contribute to the Liberal Party, either directly to the party or their local riding association, in monthly increments ranging from $5 to $91.66.

But why should people take part in this? Well, according to Dion, "giving to your party is the best way to give to your country." HA!

To me this would imply that contributors would receive something out of their monetary donation.

That brings me to another colourful tidbit by Dion, "The Liberal Party of Canada needs money, but has a lot of courage and determination."

That must be the courage and determination to sit on their hands when it comes to representing their constituents. To not show up and to not take a stand based on your stated beliefs. Or maybe its the courage and determination to ask for money from the people whom you are supposed to represent, yet don't.

Imagine the nerve of the Liberal Party to place the onus for electoral victory onto the shoulders of their financial supporters. As if the record of the party and its representative in the House have nothing to do with electoral victory. That it won't matter that the Liberals have sat in the House with their tails between their legs as long as Joe or Jane Taxpayer send them monthly donations.

But wait, does this mean that money means everything? That it is true that money is what actually drives politics?

This is the message that the Liberals are spreading with their summer campaign. Money will lessen global warming and money will ensure electoral victory.

In the 2006 election, the Conservatives were clearly the party most ready to govern. Not much has changed since. Good governance does not come from money. It comes from good policy and strong leadership, neither of which the Liberals have.

- blenCOWe

Fiberals!

I love this.

I thought the website www.willyoubetricked.ca was good but this site was sent to me and I love it even more.

In my opinion, www.theshiftygreen.ca is a work of art. It looks extraordinarily similar to the Liberals' thegreenshift.ca. The template is similar and the buttons look the same but the message is contrary. It has been composed so well that at first I thought I had accidentally clicked on the wrong site.

And that is the pure genius of it. It can easily be mistaken as the Liberals' site, yet providing the opposing point of view for the reader. Also, its critique of the Green Shift plan is more subtle (and thus less polarizing) than the vibrant and hard line site created first by the Conservative Party.

Argue the politics all you want, I think this is a creative and clever response to the Green Shift plan announced yesterday. Somebody's earned their money today!

-blenCOWe