Politics

[davesmom]

Once you get past the civic or municipal level you reach a place where towing the party line takes priority over representing your voters. That disconnect is pretty much fatal for any idea of true democracy. The whole focus for government at both the provincial and federal levels is either gaining office or holding on to it. Say whatever you have to to get the vote, truth and honesty be damned.

I'd dearly love to see enough independents holding office to keep the party faithful honest.

The same corruption exists at the civic/municipal level as in the Provincial and Federal. Municipalities as opposed to independent towns/communities made it possible for politicians to get away with stuff.
When each small community managed its own affairs the politicians were kept honest because everyone knew them, they were local businessmen who would soon be held to account if they didn't behave themselves. Not so any more.

 

[Ludlow]

Did you just arrive?

A wonderful, " no you are " reply. I love it.

 

[Angstrom]

A wonderful, " no you are " reply. I love it.

You get what you deserve out of me. Always will

 

[Nick Danger]

The same corruption exists at the civic/municipal level as in the Provincial and Federal. Municipalities as opposed to independent towns/communities made it possible for politicians to get away with stuff.
When each small community managed its own affairs the politicians were kept honest because everyone knew them, they were local businessmen who would soon be held to account if they didn't behave themselves. Not so any more.

Still, the lack of party affiliation at the civic/municipal level does leave a lot more choice in the politician's hands. I've watched honourable and well-meaning local politicians be effectively stifled in favour of party policy once they went on to higher office. I have to wonder if their motivations are pure in going beyond local politics, if their vision wanders from being a true representative of the electorate to being just another expense account/pension plan gold-digger.