But that means getting involved at the local level and getting to know the candidates. There’s a lot to do, but we gotta start small.

I honestly wouldn’t blame anyone for tuning out of politics because it is portrayed in such a poor manner (as I said above). So a few pockets of people saying “lets change the system!” isn’t going to do anything. They’ll lose steam and things will stay the same.

It’s almost as if things at all 3 levels have to move together. We need a political leader who wants to foster this change, we need news that covers the issues as something important and not a game, and we need regular people to hold feet to the fire.

It’s a huge job.

I love commenting on blogs.

Think about that for a second. The MP’s representing Newfoundland had to ask the MP from Etobicoke if they could vote against a Conservative budget and still be Liberals.

This is a huge problem in both our major parties. And I think our system of government fosters this TEAM mentality for any power big enough to govern. If the NDP or the Greens ever start getting big it’ll affect them too.

The second problem is the focus on federal politics. Federal politics really isn’t that important. Unless you’re involved with the military, or really worried about international trade or the country’s monetary policy the fed doesn’t really have much of an impact on you. Of course those things are important, all I’m saying is that Health Care, Education, Urban Development and police services are more important. Those are all provincial/municipal issues.

The second issue is the media and making a big show out of federal elections. So much attention is paid to the top job, Prime Minister, that individual MP’s become wallpaper.

I suppose there is a 3rd issue as well. Civic engagement. The more interested the electorate is, the better results we’d get. But yea, fewer whipped votes, let our MP’s shine or fail on their merits.