Liberals Need Space in the Blab-o-sphere

Michael Luo reports on the development of a Democrat's initiative to counter the Republican-leaning voices commanding much of web-based and talk radio space - the blab-o-sphere- in the United States.

I wonder how Canadians can do the same sort of thing. Why can't liberal think tanks be brought to the fore to develop and support meaningful policies across the spectrum of needs by Canadians, even Canadians resident in only one province?

(see the New York Times article here)
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/23/us/politics/23money.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=a23

Far too much of the Canadian think-tank-o-sphere is far too narrowly focussed on simplistic partisanship supporting the power grasping of the neo-cons.

I think liberals can use our democratic perspective to develop facilities in the think-tank-o-sphere that are more heavily weighted on the think part and less so on the tank part.

Not elected to UNgovern!

The New York Times editorial of Saturday November 13 makes the point of electing people rather forcefully.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/14/opinion/14sun1.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=a211

I think we should take that message seriously. Opposition members are traditionally referred to as "members of the loyal opposition" for very good and sound reason.

If we think of a democratic government as the replacement for the king, we then have - in the case of Canada - 308 equal parts of the king, in the case of Alberta - 87 equal parts of the king.

Just like the various parts of a king, we would not expect some parts to disable the other parts. Rather, we would expect all the parts to figure out how to work together. The majority, or at least leading, party's political philosophy and the principles of that philosophy will be the head and heart of the kingly body, realizing the governance of the whole body in accordance with that philosophy and those principles. So the whole body may get into fights or not, may get slack or fit etc.

However, every part is necessary to the adequate functioning of that body.

In the same way, when people are elected, none are elected to disable the body from functioning or to kill it off with suicide. Yet, the out-of-control extreme partisanship we see all too often is evidence of that exact dysfunction.

Once the election is over, it's over. Time to get on with governing!

Open Mike

Heard an interesting suggestion last evening.

Leader Ignatieff is touring Canada with Town Hall meetings called "Open Mike" meetings.

There could be two huge posters of Mike Pearson, one on each side of the podium to honour a time of civil political discourse in this country epitomized by Liberal Mike Pearson.

Great idea that reminds us that outside of the writ period, even political foes are in this country together.

Today seems a good day to begin such a practice, given armed forces and civilian personnel worked together without consideration of political allegiance to defend this country in times of peril.

Let's Remember.

Coderre/ Kennedy Town Hall

Great event last evening.

Hon. Mssrs. Coderre and Kennedy had many important points to make about their role as Natural Resource critics vis a vis oil sands, renewable energy and their role as opposition.

That latter topic was particularly interesting to me. I'm sure they are working as elected members representing their constituents in government. They are learning what their opposition role is as part of liberal democratic government and are being effective in that role.

They are arming themselves with facts and aspirations of all parties to an issue, oil sand petroleum extraction for example, and working to address government's role in that important and strategic economic sector.

Most importantly, they are determined to help the actors in the sector develop policies to help assure the sector's sustainability, including managing its environmental, economic, social and political impacts.

I think we can be proud of the job our federal Liberals are doing on behalf of all Canadians.

C-428 - What Happened?

Whatever happened to Bill C-428 supporting immigrant families' access to Old Age Security?

Hon. Ruby Dhalla and Hon. Bob Rae moved to protect immigrant seniors with some income support that would have a minor impact on the federal budget. It would, however, have a major impact on attracting the immigrants we need to sustain Canada's economy and help us all thrive.

Seems a pretty small investment in egalitarianism for a pretty large return in business creation, job generation and and resulting tax revenue.

ALP and Swann Certain Also Rans?

So, people spent up to $97 per received vote in US elections and lost! Wow!
(see: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/09/AR2010110900153.html?wpisrc=nl_cuzhead ) (also : http://articles.latimes.com/2010/nov/07/opinion/la-ed-money-20101107 )

Very interesting little event at Broken City last evening where a bright guy confidently pronounced David Swann and the Alberta Liberals as certain also rans in the next Alberta general election.

Given the Nenshi case for winning elections (see http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Nenshi+race/3717226/story.html & http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Election+outcome+tale+energy/3715121/story.html ) and the Angle/ McMahon/ Whitman case for losing elections along with the tone, mood and engagement found in the event yesterday, placing your bets just now might be a tad premature.

There is real opportunity and it relates to the engagement or disengagement of a great many highly motivated and critical wannabe voters.

The change of the campaign process has thrown most of conventional wisdom about campaigning out the window.

Brace for change!