Points to Ponder June 11, 2004
Federal Elections ”“2004
Some of us are still in doubt as to whom or which party we must support in the coming election. It is about time that this decision is not kept pending. It is searing our collective mental agility especially when weather is not quite co-operating. It gets hot one day and on another day it is pleasant or raining or who knows where it is all going!
What blah! Blah! Blah! We are getting from each party! No, I have not heard a word from any one of our local candidates. Where are they? The signs on the lawns are sprouting rather reluctantly and with not much thought as to the location or message.
It is all long distance like let your finger do the talking syndrome. Jack Layton talks about the homeless people one day and then silence! Would Stephen Harper really cut our taxes by 25% and would he increase the Canadian armed forces by 25,000 troops? The promises that Paul Martin makes for improving our health system are really the true ones or just election promises.
The times have changed. No political party seems dependable. Old values of service, humility, integrity and honesty are not visible. There is mirage floating in the wind. Lot of push and shove! What a way we have come to. At least this is how it seems.
All promises of dishing out different goodies to varied groups of voters are just that. No single government in Canada can fulfill all given promises unless it downloads the expenses to lower government or by jacking up multiple user fees. The Provincial Conservative Government in Ontario led by Mike Harris came with tax breaks and we were all happy till we found that many services were downloaded to the Municipalities and our Property taxes skyrocketed. Wow! What fools we were.
Federal Liberal Government with Paul Martin as Finance Minister slashed the deficit by cutting federal contribution for health and education. Many years after the deficit was eliminated no meaningful help came from the Federal Government to help the health or education. Now suddenly enormous sums of money are found and promised. What a miracle!
I guess the federal politicians and bureaucrats will now have to learn to sacrifice with lean lunches, meals, trips and expense accounts. Poor souls! Sheila Fraser, our beloved Auditor General, eat your heart out!
My pointers for choosing the right candidate is as below:
1) The political party who will increase army troops for defense of our Country but more so if many of the troops are stationed at Petawawa Army base. This will boost the economy of this beautiful valley.
2) The political party who will support Canadian science and particularly the nuclear science as without this knowledge we will always be subordinate to others. I am for peaceful use of nuclear energy but necessary level of research cannot be achieved without steady and meaningful funding.
3) The political party who will curtail enormous payouts to whom they like. The compensations offered or given are creating different class of citizens in this country. Those who live in magic lands against some of us who are struggling to survive!
4) The political party who will believe in equality of all citizens and do not get mired in orthodox and past dogmas.
5) The political party who do not borrow money burdening the future generation but be frank if increase in taxes is needed for the programs we cherish.
I really am not against Health premiums provided this helps our Health system. I believe that it does not really help to deficit finance in the long haul.
6) Last but not least the political party who is concerned about those of our citizens who are struggling financially like homeless people or single parents. Hot air coming out of the politicians does not give me a good feeling. We need to know real programs for helping those in need.
Have I made it easier for selecting the right candidate? Frankly, I am reaching out for Tylenol for my pain. I pray that you do better than me.
Pravin Shah