RUMINATION #4: Politics and Democracy- The Eternal Conflict

The upcoming Canadian federal election has given me cause to think about politics and democracy.  Why do we have politicians? What is their role in society? How does politics further the cause of democracy?

I worked with politicians at the municipal level for 34 years as a city planner. When I started my career back in 1975, municipal politics was a "part-time job"…..politicians were paid what was essentially an honorarium to cover their expenses, and they continued to hold regular employment elsewhere to support their families. It was a tough job, balancing their commitment to their family with their responsibilities to the public. So, why did they do it? Well, my observation was that they did it as a public service…..they wanted to have an impact on their community, make it a better place in which to live. Few municipal politicians had visions of a political career. They wanted to put in a term or two on City Council during which they could make a contribution to society.  There was no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, no insatiable desire for power or fame. Like a person who volunteers at the local food bank, social service organization or community organization, they felt a responsibility to contribute their time and effort to something worthwhile, something meaningful. Admirable goals for any person……something we should all be doing.

Why am I discussing municipal politics in the advent of the Federal election? Am I suggesting that politicians should have their salaries dramatically reduced in a return to the old days? No, I'm only mentioning it to demonstrate how politics as a field of endeavour has change so dramatically over the past 40 years. Why has it changed? Because the goals and aspirations of many politicians has changed. Many people now see politics not merely as a public service, but as a career. Why is this a problem? Everyone wants to pursue a career of some sort, why should politics be any different? The answer is not in the nature of the job itself, but in the aspirations of the individuals. Ask any politician why they entered politics….they will tell you that it was to make a difference. But what the public observes is quite different. They see too many people with aspirations of fame and glory, using politics as a stepping stone to power and influence. They see individuals willing to compromise their principles to get ahead. They see political parties more concerned about getting in and staying in power than working together with other elected officials to run the country. Watch televised sessions of any nation's government in action, what do you see? Petty infighting, name calling, one-upmanship, personal agendas, appeasing special interest groups and "rewarding" those who provided financial support to their election campaign. What about cooperation? Putting the needs of the public first? Standing behind their principles and pursuing justice and fairness? These things are far too often "collateral damage" in the drive for the top.

It sounds very "doom and gloom" doesn't it? Is there no hope for politicians? To the contrary, we just have to take a step back and remember why government exists in a democratic country. Politicians are public servants, like any other government employee. They need to be reminded that they are there to advance the public good, to stand up for the things they believe in….often the very same things that got them elected in the first place. Once the election is over, it's time to put aside party politics and work together to serve the public. Party and campaign platforms need to take a back seat to running the country. Yes, the opposition parties must be there to keep the government on its toes, to introduce a "second sober thought" to legislative change and public policy. But they can do it in a constructive way, instead of attacking each other like overgrown children in a playground. The public good MUST ALWAYS TAKE PRECEDENCE over party policy. 

How can we make that happen? Speak up, make yourself heard. Tell your politicians to stop behaving like spoiled children and do the job we are paying them to do. And remember, living in a democratic country is a not a right, it is a privilege. Democracy can only survive under the watchful eye of a vigilant and informed electorate. Stop putting politicians on a pedestal, they are human beings with flaws just like all of us (yes, including Presidents and Prime Ministers).

You can make sure politicians do their job by doing YOUR job. Speak with our votes and with our voices to make sure that the public good is always front and centre in any debate, bill or law. It is not only your right, it is your responsibility.

RUMINATION #3: NEW YEAR'S REVOLUTION

Now that the Christmas season is over and a new year has begun, it's time to take stock of our blessings and establish our personal objectives for 2011. By that, I don't mean new year's resolutions.....frankly, people seldom ever keep a new year's resolution because they're usually hatched during a moment of weakness at holiday time and are either unrealistic or not specific enough to be carried out- "I'm going to get into shape"; "I want to resolve all the little conflicts I have with family members"; "I'm going to budget my money more carefully". No wonder we never manage to accomplish them, it's too easy to ignore them or make excuses why we didn't implement them. And another year passes, and the same old resolutions come up again next year! And they also tend to be very egocentric resolutions.....you as the centre of the universe. Now don't get me wrong, you need to take care of yourself....eat better, exercise, sleep well and maybe even improve your wardrobe :0). But maybe this year we need to focus on bigger things, things that can even change the world we live in. Try a New Year's Revolution instead!

Here's how to start your own New Year's Revolution. Take a long look at yourself....what do you need to do to become a better person? How can you become a more effective "global citizen"? What can you do to help people in need?

Here are a few thoughts:

1. Identify causes or programs that you would like to support. Then set aside some volunteer time or donation money. A few hours or a few dollars can really add up. One less mochachino, one less beer, one less pack of cigarettes and maybe even quitting smoking altogether, and then put the money you save aside to be used for a good cause. A small sacrifice that can help change another person's life.
2. What can you do to improve the environment? Be more diligent in your recycling efforts; buy more products that are environmentally-friendly; drive your car less and walk more....there are so many other ways.
3. Do something to help bring peace and justice to the world and preserve human dignity. Buy fair trade coffee and chocolate to help more of the money get to the grower and less to big business. Join groups like Amnesty International or OXFAM and participate in letter writing campaigns to your politicians to initiate some real action. Volunteer at your local Food Bank or soup kitchen.....once a year, once a month, anything you can contribute will help.

The bottom line is, do something big this year....something for more than just you and your family. The world and even your own country, city and neighbourhood is overflowing with need- do something to help out. One dollar or one hour of volunteer time doesn't sound like much, but imagine the impact if EVERYONE gave one dollar and one hour. You can help change the world. And in doing so, you will change yourself, more effectively than any new year's resolution. Feeling good about yourself for doing something for others, everybody wins.

HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR'S REVOLUTION!

RUMINATION #2- BACK YARD PROSE

I'm sitting outside in my back yard with my laptop on WIFI, taking in a little nature. I'm just going to write down everything I experience in the next few minutes. How's that for exciting blogging? On-the-scene reporting!

The cool fingers of the spring breeze touch my arms and raise a few goosebumps on an otherwise sunny, warm day. The leaves on the trees and bushes appropriately quiver in the chilly wind. Cotton clouds float gently across an azure sky, continuing on their eternal voyage around the earth. The billowing sea of grass forms waves that flow across the lawn, ending abruptly at the fence, followed endlessly by a new wave. The lilies have not yet emerged from their cozy green cocoons, while the remaining petals of the fading lilac flowers have shriveled and cast themselves to the wind. The sweet scent of a wild rose bush wafts over to caress my senses. The forty foot tall ash tree casts a grand shadow over the patio, like a giant guarding his kingdom.

A squirrel hops busily across the lawn, oblivious to my observation, in search of lunch. A blue jay swoops down to pick up a wayward seed, then disappears as quickly as it came. A robin in another corner of the yard gazes at me curiously and then goes about his business. The concrete patio is warm beneath my bare feet....a few ants detour around my toes as they head back to their hill to perform their duties. 

A few clouds roll in, dragging with them ominously gray bottoms which will soon be shed as this evening's rain showers. Off in the distance, the rumble of tires on asphalt signals the activity of a work day. I hear the roar of a jet passing by as it pierces the clouds, disappearing into the sunlit silence above and taking with it hurried business executives and excited travelers.

The sun is now buried beneath the clouds, a reminder that I have chores to do and can't laze about all afternoon....although it's a tempting pleasure.

And all this, in 15 minutes in my back yard. Amazing.

RUMINATION #1- CELL PHONES IN THE WRONG HANDS

Are you excited? Here it is, the first blog entry!

My first rumination is about the use and abuse of communications technology... a topic appropriate for an internet blog I suppose. No, I'm not referring to moral and ethical issues like sex, religion, politics, hate literature or even telemarketers! I'm talking about people using communications devices in public places!

Have you ever been walking down the street while someone passes by, apparently talking to themselves, or  maybe even talking to you (even though you don't have a freakin' clue who they are), only to discover that they were wearing a hands-free head set. Do you really believe that their conversation is so important that it couldn't wait until they arrived at home or at the office? Walk closely behind them and listen in on their call; odds are they were having a personal (and often unnecessary) conversation. And young women are the worst offenders. My favourites are girls walking from their house to a friend's house two blocks away, with a cell phone plastered to their head talking to the friend as if they can't withhold their enthusiasm for 5 minutes until they arrive there! What the heck are they going to talk about when she gets to her friend's place......oh right, women always seem to be able find a topic of discussion ;p. Frankly, I'm always amazed that more of these people are not run over by a car when they walk along in their little imaginary world, oblivious to the traffic buzzing around them!

Although these people can be a bit disturbing, they pale in comparison to the "public transportation PITA" who insists on having a loud personal cell conversation on a bus, while everyone else is quietly reading or listening to their I-Pods. Or the "checkout line self-important chatters" who continue (or even worse, start) a cell phone conversation while they go through the cash...... with the poor store clerk trying to determine if the individual's comments are directed at them or at the person at the other end of the phone! There are many more of these types whose disregard for others around them ranges from rude to dangerous to a total lack of respect (I'll save "respect for others" in general for another day).

The bottom line is respect. We do have to share this planet with a few billion others, so one might think we have some sort of obligation to be respectful and considerate of others. Treat others the way you would want to be treated....a very basic, simple rule that has disappeared in modern "me first" society. If you do, you will be pleasantly surprised how well people will treat you in return. If you don't, well I can't be responsible for what may happen when you finally push some poor person over the edge and they grab the cell from your hand, drop it on the ground and joyfully smash it to smithereens with the heel of their shoe.....

Food for thought.