Jerry J. Fortin

From my own view, being uneducated in the science involved, the one thing they all agree on is that there is that in fact global scale changes in the environment that to date have yet to be fully explained. Bottom line is that things are changing, and again from my perspective, it will affect people differently. It would be wise to consider the harsh reality of severe climate change. Some models have Edmonton matching San Diego's current conditions by 2050, which is relevant in as much as that is just about the northern edge of food production. This means that the northern territories would be on the edge for food production, an interesting opportunity or possibility in the future. My point is that there are opportunities everywhere. Perhaps that is the case for global warming locked up tight with a bow on it. There is money, lots and lots of money involved in this little debate.

Without elected representation, the will of the people is not heard, and the intent of democracy is subverted. In this nation we don't even elect our leader, suggesting we elect someone to the UN would'nt even make a Canadian blink.

It would "fix" Revenue Canada, it would eliminate it. Look folks what the government needs is a stable revenue stream, thats why we have the system we have. Its not a fair system at all, the one we have. The more you make the more you pay. Even so its here and going nowhere fast. If we did get another system we would likely just pay more not less.

The UN is a farce at best, a travesty of democracy at worst. The security council has a trump card they play at will, and no nation elects a representative to the assembly. Looking to that group of appointed mouth pieces for any kind of justice or democracy is an exercise in futility. This nation of Canada needs to realize the limitations of the current system. Certain economic forays in the recent past have troublesome implications, the WTO and other organizations are powers unto themselves and have successfully placed economic considerations ahead of the interests of citizens. The entire financial industry is beginning to stand even further away from the control of national interests in favour of a more business friendly matrix, in short democracy is under not the mere threat of attack but instead in reality democracy has been, is and will be under siege for the foreseeable future. It appears the pendulum has once again begun to swing, change is underway. Look at the veritable plethora of international organizations that this and damned near every nation on earth has become members of or signatories too this thing or that thing. The cost of these bureaucracies is staggering to say the least, and those things are paid with tax dollars, we all pay for all of it all of the time. Imagine how much waste there is world wide on this utter nonsense. We all need to get our crap together and start demanding more effeciency within the system and start eliminating positions from the top down while working on means and methods of service deliveries. We need to get a handle on this and the sooner the better.

The only way to achieve any real change in the status quo is to drive forward a coalition agenda. Start the process by letting elected representatives know exactly how they got to where they are, elected. Let them know they can be removed just as easily and at the first opportunity prove it to them. Hire and fire at least a couple by design and by then those seeking office will know and understand the rule. There is only one by the way, and that is to vote the way the people that voted them into their representative status determine. Vote against the interests and best wishes of the electorate and see what happens. Alas, I hold out no hope for democratic reform any time soon. It will take a few election cycles if we started today, that means years of seemingly wasted efforts being made by seemingly random people. In truth, it will take no less than a public realization of the impact of functional change to mitigate sufficient political will in order to achieve such a goal. In my books, the risk is worthy of the reward and that to me rates as an extremely lofty and desirable goal.

Our system hasn't changed, but we have. We are entering into a new phase of our political evolution. The transition isn't pretty.

Out here in north central Alberta, the farmers are getting a little long in the tooth and I think their age is the real issue here. The family farm is endangered because nobody can "go" into it without bags of dollars. It ain't cheap starting up one of those business endeavors. I would suggest that it isn't simply a market driven or macro-driven effort that tells the entire tale.

Point taken! Even so, Harper still needs to do nothing more than talk and wait. Its up to Iggy and others to force his hand. They don't or at least haven't done that very well to date.

If I were Harper, I would be saying that it is "all about the economy, stupid". I would be saying that we need to take a more visible international role. I would be saying that it may be wise to blow the dust off of the "fortress North America concept". I would be saying that the opposition is just that, opposition. They have no viable independent platforms that are suitable for Canadian society, and because of that reality the Conservatives are the default government, and will likely remain so for the foreseeable future. Harper need only bang the drum slowly in order to attract the die hard right wing crowd, they will come out in his favour every time. The left wing crowd is too splintered to stand alone, but now the lefties are starting to figure a way out of the wilderness. Still the vast majority of citizens yawn at the mere thought of politics, things are still too good to disturb the gentle beast of the unwashed public. There has not yet been a crisis of sufficient rank to rattle the cage of the average citizen. That citizen is the majority in this nation, they are the ones that don't vote. If ever they decide to start voting then woe be unto those who would stand against them. Once awakened, there will be a giant sized left swing, and the right will be able to do nothing to stem the coming tide. Harper needs to use his head and explain this to the public! Week by week, from now until an election is called he needs to speak to the people in one on ones, or two or three on one, even town hall meetings. He can draw the crowd because he is the PM. He needs to remember that little fact and take advantage of it. If he does, he will retain power, but not even then will he get a majority.

I have become disappointed with the Liberal brand. That now makes it zero partisan groups worth left supporting at all.

Wrong question. Try can Harper win the majority?

There is law in place to address the issue. The real question we should be considering is the basis for the existing law, which is our own constitution. This is where it all stems from, warts and all.

Just the other day a newspaper in Edmonton had a front page ad about a sales tax for Alberta. As most of you know there is no such animal in Alberta, and the public here will have something to say about creating such an animal. For the rest of you folks who do have a sales tax in your province, I feel for you guys. The harsh reality is that it is a very blind and equally applied tax, everybody eats it, and it is a huge revenue stream for provincial income. The damned governments of this nation gobble up wads of cash daily and these sales tax things feed its hunger for ever increasing funding. In my mind it is better than raising income tax revenues by any means, but I am in a unique position along with my fellow provincial citizens.

I think that terrorists are criminals, a special class of specific scum. In time I expect that there will be special legislation an agreed upon international code if you will that will see these people dealt with in a special manner.

I bet it works as well as the Conservative fixed election date program, in other words not at all.

The way I read that post, the coming issue is service delivery and NO partisan faction seems to be on the right band wagon. The citizen want to see their money well spent. It also speaks volumes about the governments desire to hush up MP spending habits by doing a proper audit, an actual accounting to the people.

What world are you talking about?

Damned well said Sir.

Harper has lost all sense of functional political reality. Depths in the ranks of party hack does not translate into democratic enhancement.

I really wish our society would become more involved in politics. In order to protect ourselves we need to protect each other, and to do that we need to work together. Politics is no place for children, and we all need to grow up.

Harper does react to polling information, that is clear. So would any government, it is how they react that counts.

Or perhaps the world has changed since 9-11, increased security and verification are simply enhancements to the existing system.

What about them? They have afforded themselves of due process under the law and are now paying their debt to society. Letting these folks out is the fly in the ointment.

Until now. Big oil has painted the tree huggers as bad news.

The system works, just ask the guy who got out after a sexual offense. Or a murderer walking free to be seen by the victims family. Everything is fine here in the Land of the Just Canuck.