So Joe Fiorito wrote an opinion piece for the Toronto Star a few days ago. He was moved by the state of politics as he currently sees it, and I cannot fault him in his perceptions. It may be that the lack of participation by larger numbers of Canadians in our own nation's politics has a role in bringing about what he abhors. There are likely other factors involved as well.
Meanwhile, some closing thoughts of his on Canada's pending 2015 federal election struck a chord with me. Six things that he considers desirable in a political party, in candidates for public office, that I will quote for your consideration:
"I will vote for any party that supports stable and generous funding for the national public broadcaster.
I will vote for any party that will commit to developing public policy based on evidence rather than ideology.
I will vote for any party in support of fully funded, forward-thinking health care.
I will vote for any party with a plan for national public daycare, a national housing strategy, a national harm reduction strategy, a guaranteed annual income, enhanced safety in the workplace, and status of the artist legislation.
I will also vote for any party that puts green energy research ahead of oil-and-gas research.
And...I will vote for any party that restores door-to-door mail delivery."
One major caveat: I'm not sure about "Status of the artist" legislation despite my continuing ambitions to be a full-time writer and illustrator. It would be good to have a much better sense of what that will entail.
As to the rest of it, I hope that I can find such a party to support. I suspect that I have, but a certain degree of skepticism is useful at times.
Meanwhile, some closing thoughts of his on Canada's pending 2015 federal election struck a chord with me. Six things that he considers desirable in a political party, in candidates for public office, that I will quote for your consideration:
"I will vote for any party that supports stable and generous funding for the national public broadcaster.
I will vote for any party that will commit to developing public policy based on evidence rather than ideology.
I will vote for any party in support of fully funded, forward-thinking health care.
I will vote for any party with a plan for national public daycare, a national housing strategy, a national harm reduction strategy, a guaranteed annual income, enhanced safety in the workplace, and status of the artist legislation.
I will also vote for any party that puts green energy research ahead of oil-and-gas research.
And...I will vote for any party that restores door-to-door mail delivery."
One major caveat: I'm not sure about "Status of the artist" legislation despite my continuing ambitions to be a full-time writer and illustrator. It would be good to have a much better sense of what that will entail.
As to the rest of it, I hope that I can find such a party to support. I suspect that I have, but a certain degree of skepticism is useful at times.