Canada's Next Great Prime Minister

[Pliny]

Through my platform the cities would be granted increased regional representation directly as they would have greater autonomy over their taxation rights, etc. As for the Aboriginal peoples of Canada, you are right that this sort of representation would be more on a federal level. But it would increase representation for a traditionally underrepresented portion of Canada's population.

I understand that in a traditional sense to be a strong federalist means to believe in a strong centralization of power. Which is the opposite of what I am arguing. My idea was that Canadian federalism needs to be improved. Federalism does not have to mean centralization of power. This is equivocation. The idea of federalism is to grant regional representation, so what I was proposing was to strengthen this system by increasing representation.

Also, I am curious as to how you think debating regional issues is a waste of time

I will reply to your curiosity first. Did I say debating regional issues was a waste of time? If I did then I must clarify that it is my opinion that regional issues are not the concern of the "Federal" government and are more the concern of the region. The federal governments concern is the country and not the regions, or even individuals, for that matter.

Now, it is very benevolent of you to include in your platform that "cities would be granted increased regional representation directly as they would have greater autonomy over their taxation rights." Is this a delegation of authority and does it have any strings attached? The question is rhetorical and I really don't want an answer.

I agree that Canadian federalism needs to be improved. I think the basic understanding of government needs to be improved.

Our politicians swear allegiance to the Crown. American politicians swear allegiance to the people and their Constitution. I don't want to get into an argument about the differences between the Canadian and American types of government and what is best or debate legaleze or semantics. The fact is we, the citizens of both countries enjoy a high standard of living and freedoms not available in other countries. We are economically and socially a first world nation.

For this we cannot fault our government or the American government for not representing the interests of their respective citizens. We have traded some of our freedoms and liberties for protection, security and the standard of living we enjoy, and are somewhat subject to economic slavishness but we live rather comfortable lives. Is this the purpose of life? Living a comfortable life? It is what government promises but unfortunately as it grows it increasingly fails to deliver on that promise.

Now, it is part of my philosophy that people do not act to make their lives worse. Their decisions are based upon improving and making their lives and the lives of those around them better, sometimes at someone else's cost.

Someone who they inadvertently, or on occasion; intentionally, fail to include in their calculations to improve their lives. Now, it is not up to any individual to determine the calculations and reasons for why someone may be acting the way they do. These are attempts to understand why certain actions are decided upon by others. We cannot totally understand them - if they don't seem to make sense, if we are not aware of all the information that the person performing the action is acting upon.

Governments are similar entities to individuals and we often don't understand them precisely because we do not know all the information they are acting upon, that is especially true today. And there is no lack of conjecture as to what they are doing. In the end it boils down to individuals with their own interests that are trying to improve life, have the best of intentions but fall short because they make certain ssumptions and act to improve thelives of others by their standards without even considering whether they wish to meet the standards.

To cut to the chase on this. It is my opinion that a global rethinking of government is necessary. I am sorry but what I see is that you are interested in playing the game of politics as it has been described to you. The necessity of government has never been questioned in your tutelage. Anarchy is, of course, an unacceptable state of affairs and I would be inclined to agree, but I would also say that totalitarianism is an even less acceptable state of affairs. Both are undesirable but I would strive toward anarchy before striving toward big brother. Neither one will ever be achieved because they are absolutes and who cares!

I gotta go ! I a getting tired and feel Iam just rambling. Bye for now!

[Denny]

Hello to Everyone!

I am running in CBC's competition Canada's Next Great Prime Minister. Basically, the contest is centred around having a “great idea” for Canada. My idea for Canada is to strengthen Canadian federalism through increased representation and participation for the municipalities and the Aboriginal peoples of Canada.

By posting here, I thought I would try to get my video out into the larger Canadian political community. I would love it if people would watch my video, and leave me comments and questions that I will respond to. I'm hoping that in this way we can foster a debate about the issues of federalism that I raise in my video.

You can watch the video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UdJyZfU_HQ

You can also check out the competition at: http://www.cbc.ca/nextprimeminister/

Cheers,

Julienne

Julienne, I am happy to see your energy, but I have to be critical of you and so many Canadians who always think the ultimate answer to our government spending problems is re-cutting the pie.

In history, you no doubt learned about the concept of "responsible government". Unfortunately, as of late, irresponsible government seems to be the way politicians succeed. Responsible government says that the people we elect develop their own spending plans and balance them with their revenues, not connive to get them from somewhere else.. If you believe in the need to spend more, you tax more. You don't go another level of govnernment with your hat in hand. If Toronto needs something, its makes sense for Torontonians to pay for it, not the people in Kenora, who may come to Toronto half a dozen times in their lives. If Torontoonaians are against the tax change, then the po;itical leadership has to adjust to that reality or lose their jobs. That is "responsibility". Shuffling taxes from one goverment level to another is not. Toronto cries poor to get transit funding, all the while finding that it gets extra tax revenues when a new subway line goes in.

I think there are many deficiencies in our tax system. For instance I believe that taxes should be user based, with the exception of social needs, such as health and education and the like which should be funded by progressive income tax.

Property taxes should bear only the costs of policing property and fire protection. User taxes on fuels should fund all road work. A small levy on retail sales should fund consumer and corporate affairs. A small tax on payrolls to fund the Department of Labour, etc. That would be true responsibility.

[Canuck E Stan]

Why are these PM competitions always for people that don't have a chance in reality of becoming Prime Minister?

Open these competitons to everyone of legal voting age and see some real ideas and competition.

[Michael Bluth]

Why are these PM competitions always for people that don't have a chance in reality of becoming Prime Minister?

Stan I see a lot of truth in this comment.

The students who participate in these types of contests are bound for student union governments in post-secondary.

At one point in time this was one of the breeding ground for future political leaders.

Things have changed in the last few decades.

Now the only real breeding ground for future political leaders are the campus clubs of the respective political parties.

The student union government types are now headed for careers as civil servants.

Power to you Julienne. If you really want to be PM join the Young Liberals or Campus Conservatives. Student union will just be participating in a short-lived 'influential' clique that will lead you to a very rude awakening when you finish school.