Based on the sliver of (complete) info that is provided by the politicos, a Devil's Advocate position is necessary in order to generate a more complete understanding of the macro view.
We should always be questioning our politicians, their platforms, their ideas, their motivations. Always. Partisan thinking gets in the way of that. If anything I tend to be harsher on those whom I do support, because I expect them to be
accountable to me. I want to know that the platform is sound, that it's practical and the only way in which to do that is to play Devil's Advocate and try to poke holes in it.
I like the comment about working towards the same goal(s)... The interesting part is analyzing the different paths that are suggested in terms of actually getting there
It's true when you really stop and think about it and the differences are fascinating. You know there are a few members on here where I've noted they and I have a tendency to agree on the end result of an issue or topic, yet we approach it from completely different angles. That is fascinating to me because that really speaks to broadening my horizons and learning to understand my own rationale and reasoning a little better. So if you really step back and look at the big picture, we should be able to do the same thing and gain the same benefit (greater understanding) from the political process as well.
'The squeaky wheel gets the grease syndrome'
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Portions of the electorate 'get it' in terms of understanding how a block vote (or threat thereof) can influence the overall scenario to the benefit of the few at the expense of the many... Under those circumstances, the spineless politicians fold like a cheap suit in order to not offend an organized element of the electorate
The Bloc Quebecois is an excellent example of such
I agree with that. And at the same time I believe that the partisan rhetoric and thinking obscures the issues with the majority of voters who really don't give a damn about that kind of idealism (kind of like when Yoko broke up the Beatles, it wasn't that the rest of the band hated her, they just didn't love her as much as John did). So that also plays a role in not only keeping us divided but leaves the door open for those like the Bloc Quebecois to wield so much influence over us all.
I can't agree more.
An interesting situation revolves around gvt run utilities.... Some provinces (I can speak for AB) have deregulated things like electricity and liquor and pawned them off to the private sector... The cost of electricity went up as an expression of the true costs of generating and distributing it... Many were (and still are) upset with this and claim that corps are profiting at their expense, while never thinking that the tax base was actually subsidizing the entire business; all the while paying an additional amount for the gvt to administer the provision of the service.
Interestingly enough, when the AB gvt deregulated the booze industry - prices actually dropped on booze, BUT the kicker is that any private liquor outlet MUST buy their product from the gvt's central distribution facility/department.
This is the way that it should be.... The best of both worlds
There is no reason why, not unlike the deregulated booze industry in AB, the government (and thereby the "people") cannot maintain some sense of control through legislation whilst leaving the details of running services to private enterprise. There are some amazing entrepreneurial minds out there who can find a way to provide a mandated service (like healthcare for example) in an efficient and cost effective manner.
