Tonight's Election Debate
Tonight I made sure I was able to watch the entire debate. I popped some popcorn and tuned into CBC and watched the leaders debate. And this time it was actually a debate, as they changed the format to allow a more discussion and rebuttals. Steve whathisface from TVO's Studio 2 did a good job as moderator, it was nice to see him ask follow-up questions when needed.
Random observations:
1) All four leaders have blue eyes. Weird.
2) Harper tried to smile after each time he spoke. He was unsuccessful.
3) Paul Martin's debate strategy: get as worked up as possible. His reasoning: "Canadians think passion = competancy". Yes Paul, we know you're a Québecker, that wasn't the question.
(I was almost going to say "cut for spoilers!" but...heh...I realize I may be alone in the fact that I watch these debates partly for their entertainment value.)
One of the big issues lately has been gun violence. Three incidents mentioned tonight were the Mounties that were shot out west a while ago, the police officer from Québec, and the girl that was shot on Yonge St on Boxing Day, near the Eaton's centre.
Harper of course seems to think that locking everyone up is the best solution. But longer jail times, and more people getting thrown in jail aren't necessarily a deterrant from people getting involved in gun violence.
In Ontario, you've now got a 30% high school drop-out rate (people which apparently have been appropriately dubbed "Harris's Kids" [a la "Thatcher's Kids"]). This means more people are entering the world as adults in poverty, with few opportunities available to them. So what are they going to do? They're going to turn to crime. They'll join gangs, they'll become drug dealers, they'll become criminals.
So I guess the choice is, build bigger jails and hire more police officers, OR, find ways to keep kids interested in and willing to stay in school, to help them find jobs, to help them MAKE jobs. Maybe this is the result of me reading AdBusters a little while ago, but I really think that entrepreneurialship is going to be an increasing trend in the economy, especially for younger people. I mean, why work for minimum wage a McDonalds when you can make your own job, and be your own boss? I wonder if that's part of the attraction to drug dealing...it's a method of making money on one's own terms...essentially it's an entrepreneurial endeavor (although obviously, an illegal one). Hell, that's the same thing as what Squeegee Kids were doing! (Squeegee Kids = people who walk up to your car and wash your windshield for a few bucks. They were banned in Toronto.)
Also, I really think that youth in general are fairly alienated from politics. Politicians will only talk about educaton, daycare, or youth violence when there is a big incident or an election going on. (Something interesting Duceppe said was that Paul Martin talks like an NDPer during election time, but acts like a Tory when he's in power. True dat, Gilles, true dat.) The way the government and education system are set up excludes youth. They have no power, and while anyone can e-mail their MP, that government representative isn't very likely to care what someone under the age of 18 has to say, because they can't vote. That's why I really think the voting age should be lowered to 16.
It makes sense when you think about it...get 'em while they're young! Get people involved in politics, get them to care and to participate while they're being educated about the government, about history, about the world. Give them the power to make change for their own age group. There's far too much apathy among young people, and I think part of it is the feeling that you're powerless, and that the government doesn't really care. (As a side note, maybe youth feeling more included in the world would cut down on shitty emo music like Simple Plan!! It's winning plan all around! lol)
I think there's also the fact that when you're a teenager, a lot of the time anywhere that you might go to hang out and have fun will cost you money. It's spend 10-15 bucks at the movies, or go smoke up in a park. Sometimes I think there should be 24-hour community centres or something. Places where people can hang out, learn, play sports, do homework, etc, so that people don't get drawn into criminal activities out of boredom or from feeling isolated or whatever.
Then there's daycare, which, although the Prime Minister has argued passionately for it, the Liberals have been in power now for over a decade and have been promising national daycare for a while, yet they're only now getting around to it. Oh yes, I recognize procrastinatory behaviour in the government, and while I can relate, I sure as hell don't want to be able to relate on that level with the federal government of Canada!
I'm starting to think there should be a Ministry for Youth. A department of the government that specifically deals with issues relating to children and youth. When you think about it they are an underrepresented portion of the country.
Okay, now call me crazy, or am I the only who's starting to think Québec separatists have a point? In the debate tonight there was mention of the fact that First Nations, Acadians, and Métis are all sort of recognized as nations within Canada, but Québec is not. When it comes down to it Canada is a nation comprised of smaller nations or provinces. Is there anything seriously wrong with different parts of Canada being recognized for their individuality, and thus being named nations, while still being a part of the Federation of Canada? I'm starting to suspect it's impossible to please all of Canada at once, and maybe it makes more sense to let provinces/smaller nations within Canada decide for themselves on an individual basis. That way Québec can feel happy for preserving their language and culture, and Alberta can become a carbon copy of Texas if they want to, and it won't affect other parts of the country! lol. I don't know. I'm not quite sure how I stand on this issue, but for once I'm starting to understand the argument for Québec nationalism.
Once again, the Green Party wasn't allowed to debate, despite the fact that they have a candidate in every riding (unlike the Bloc). I don't understand why this issue hasn't been given more attention. I don't necessarily like the Green Party, but they should be allowed to partake in national debates.
As for who will win the election: No freaking clue. Harper has been leading in the polls lately, but I think he may have lost some ground in this debate. Either way, if the Conservatives do win, it'll be a minority, and I doubt it'll be very different from the Liberal minority government...with the exception that the opposition might be more unified.
Random observations:
1) All four leaders have blue eyes. Weird.
2) Harper tried to smile after each time he spoke. He was unsuccessful.
3) Paul Martin's debate strategy: get as worked up as possible. His reasoning: "Canadians think passion = competancy". Yes Paul, we know you're a Québecker, that wasn't the question.
(I was almost going to say "cut for spoilers!" but...heh...I realize I may be alone in the fact that I watch these debates partly for their entertainment value.)
One of the big issues lately has been gun violence. Three incidents mentioned tonight were the Mounties that were shot out west a while ago, the police officer from Québec, and the girl that was shot on Yonge St on Boxing Day, near the Eaton's centre.
Harper of course seems to think that locking everyone up is the best solution. But longer jail times, and more people getting thrown in jail aren't necessarily a deterrant from people getting involved in gun violence.
In Ontario, you've now got a 30% high school drop-out rate (people which apparently have been appropriately dubbed "Harris's Kids" [a la "Thatcher's Kids"]). This means more people are entering the world as adults in poverty, with few opportunities available to them. So what are they going to do? They're going to turn to crime. They'll join gangs, they'll become drug dealers, they'll become criminals.
So I guess the choice is, build bigger jails and hire more police officers, OR, find ways to keep kids interested in and willing to stay in school, to help them find jobs, to help them MAKE jobs. Maybe this is the result of me reading AdBusters a little while ago, but I really think that entrepreneurialship is going to be an increasing trend in the economy, especially for younger people. I mean, why work for minimum wage a McDonalds when you can make your own job, and be your own boss? I wonder if that's part of the attraction to drug dealing...it's a method of making money on one's own terms...essentially it's an entrepreneurial endeavor (although obviously, an illegal one). Hell, that's the same thing as what Squeegee Kids were doing! (Squeegee Kids = people who walk up to your car and wash your windshield for a few bucks. They were banned in Toronto.)
Also, I really think that youth in general are fairly alienated from politics. Politicians will only talk about educaton, daycare, or youth violence when there is a big incident or an election going on. (Something interesting Duceppe said was that Paul Martin talks like an NDPer during election time, but acts like a Tory when he's in power. True dat, Gilles, true dat.) The way the government and education system are set up excludes youth. They have no power, and while anyone can e-mail their MP, that government representative isn't very likely to care what someone under the age of 18 has to say, because they can't vote. That's why I really think the voting age should be lowered to 16.
It makes sense when you think about it...get 'em while they're young! Get people involved in politics, get them to care and to participate while they're being educated about the government, about history, about the world. Give them the power to make change for their own age group. There's far too much apathy among young people, and I think part of it is the feeling that you're powerless, and that the government doesn't really care. (As a side note, maybe youth feeling more included in the world would cut down on shitty emo music like Simple Plan!! It's winning plan all around! lol)
I think there's also the fact that when you're a teenager, a lot of the time anywhere that you might go to hang out and have fun will cost you money. It's spend 10-15 bucks at the movies, or go smoke up in a park. Sometimes I think there should be 24-hour community centres or something. Places where people can hang out, learn, play sports, do homework, etc, so that people don't get drawn into criminal activities out of boredom or from feeling isolated or whatever.
Then there's daycare, which, although the Prime Minister has argued passionately for it, the Liberals have been in power now for over a decade and have been promising national daycare for a while, yet they're only now getting around to it. Oh yes, I recognize procrastinatory behaviour in the government, and while I can relate, I sure as hell don't want to be able to relate on that level with the federal government of Canada!
I'm starting to think there should be a Ministry for Youth. A department of the government that specifically deals with issues relating to children and youth. When you think about it they are an underrepresented portion of the country.
Okay, now call me crazy, or am I the only who's starting to think Québec separatists have a point? In the debate tonight there was mention of the fact that First Nations, Acadians, and Métis are all sort of recognized as nations within Canada, but Québec is not. When it comes down to it Canada is a nation comprised of smaller nations or provinces. Is there anything seriously wrong with different parts of Canada being recognized for their individuality, and thus being named nations, while still being a part of the Federation of Canada? I'm starting to suspect it's impossible to please all of Canada at once, and maybe it makes more sense to let provinces/smaller nations within Canada decide for themselves on an individual basis. That way Québec can feel happy for preserving their language and culture, and Alberta can become a carbon copy of Texas if they want to, and it won't affect other parts of the country! lol. I don't know. I'm not quite sure how I stand on this issue, but for once I'm starting to understand the argument for Québec nationalism.
Once again, the Green Party wasn't allowed to debate, despite the fact that they have a candidate in every riding (unlike the Bloc). I don't understand why this issue hasn't been given more attention. I don't necessarily like the Green Party, but they should be allowed to partake in national debates.
As for who will win the election: No freaking clue. Harper has been leading in the polls lately, but I think he may have lost some ground in this debate. Either way, if the Conservatives do win, it'll be a minority, and I doubt it'll be very different from the Liberal minority government...with the exception that the opposition might be more unified.