There's something in the air these days, and I'm just not clear what it is—a new pig farm around the corner? Or could it be a provincial election?
I partially jest: There's no pig farm within miles. So that odour must be the smell of another political fight—the whole gamut of feisty political bickering.
I should be happy that there will likely be a provincial election called sometime in March, with the big day sometime in May. I say, "Bring it on": I have strong political interests, and a deep concern for the state of affairs here in Alberta. I have expressed my views on occasion in this space, and I am sincerely glad I still have the freedom to do so.
Even if you don't agree with me on every point, I have no problem with healthy, civil discussion. It's one of the hallmarks of a democratic society, and long may it last.
Unfortunately, I am finding that healthy discussion both stateside and provinceside (not a word, but quippy nonetheless) is hitting some troubling times these days.
It's the "healthy" part that concerns me.
So when I say "healthy," I mean concerns that are well-thought out, thinking that is constructively critical, the absence of mudslinging, and the right to disagree without lying. I think that covers all the bases.
A case in point is the government shutdown in that large country just south of us (commonly know as the "United States of America." Maybe they should be called the "Divided States of America.) It is unfathomable how badly things are going down there. We certainly don't want to head that way ourselves, do we ?
When I hear the venom, vulgarity, and vitriol, and the threats, tripe, and taunts, I shudder. These are the leaders of one of the greatest countries and this is how they treat each other in public? Oh my, what do they say to each other in private? No wonder there is a complete disrespect for the political process. No wonder we are losing a lost generation of voters.
I trust, as we slink into a provincial election, that those vying for office won't stoop to that behaviour. If they do, that is part of "stench" I referred to earlier.
We need government, but from my vantage point, just a lot less of it. We have currently far more ministries than necessary. I trust that if a different party wins, one of the first things they do will be to reduce the cabinet.
Another thing I trust they will do is to be answerable to the people. Granted, every whim of every citizen cannot be met, but I would like to see some attempt at least in listening to those they represent. This could come in the form of a townhall meetings. After all, the word "minister" actually means to be a "servant " to the people, something that has been lost in the expression of leadership.
Even as I write, a number of promises have been made, along with a number of fabrications about the other party. How true is each one? That's really up to the discerning voter. I won't say who said what, but I'm only working with the real contenders, namely, the NDP and the UCP.
My greatest concern at this stage of the unofficial race—and it's going to get worse once the election gets some traction and desperation takes over—is the blatant animosity that will mark and (ultimately) mar the race. I've used a bunch of words about five paragraphs ago that would describe it, so I don't want to use them again.
The question begs: Why?
It's not only Left vs. Right...NDP vs UCP...Albertans vs. Albertans. No, it's every every political stripe, every jurisdiction, every country. It's not just Alberta nor even Canada, either. It seems worldwide.
It's down and dirty from the get-go, sad to say. Just watch the legislature channel sometime. That channel should be censored, so your kids don't see how our leaders treat each other.
It's just too bad when an election gets confused with a pig farm.
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