Debate neither decided the election nor solved any problems in Ontario
The head to head rock them sock them that was the Ontario election debate, proudly brought to you by the broadcasting consortium, between all three major party leaders at Queen's Park did not decide the election. Nor did it solve any problems in the province, either in the areas of democratic, fiscal, social, ecological, cultural, economic or constitutional renewals or reforms, at the personal or community levels. It left us all with more essential questions, possibly, than substantial answers on the question of responsibility and who actually wants to lead and take some instead of dishing it out and leaving it on the table just to get cold.
Obviously, we did not expect all of Ontario's problems to be decided in a couple hours, or even major policy decisions to be agreed to in such a format where well rehearsed talking points partisanly were the name of the game, but we did expect an inordinate amount of decorum to properly think, deliberation to properly speak and responsiveness to properly rebut the answers to the question with one's good communication skills.
Respect in these areas left much to be desired, which is why that debate yesterday neither decided the election, nor solved any problems in Ontario therein. On the extreme other hand, at an all candidates' debate in Owen Sound held tonight, seven candidates vying for the seat in the Bruce Grey Owen Sound riding agreed on the need for a brand new local decision making mechanism versus the current centralization mentality of, by and for Toronto as the rural urban divide widens the growing gap on issues like health care, education and energy. This regional idea originally lead before the election campaign even started of course by Independent Shane Jolley, who actually has not only taken the lead on this issue as the founder and coordinator with the Local Motive Project in 2006, but has also taken responsibility to further the role of the riding in a responsible mix between direct and representative democracy for Bruce Grey Owen Sound.
Very Hopeful Thoughts on the upcoming Ontario Provincial Election
In so far as very hopeful thoughts on the upcoming 2011 Ontario provincial election, I have not really changed my head on this, still believe three various actions will happen from it.
One, the Mcguinty Ontario Liberals will be winning a minority government, something which could have been rectified if Dalton had of stepped down a year and one half at least earlier, whereas now he likely has cost the party another strong majority, the final count will likely be Liberals at 34 percent and 52 seats, Progressive Conservatives at 33 percent and 29 seats, New Democrats at 29 percent and 25 seats, Green at 0 percent and 0 seats, Reform at 0 percent and 0 seats too and Independent at 0 percent and 1 seat. This minority sadly clashes with my second thought, Mcguinty steps down for a leadership race, where former finance minister, party president and current Vaughan Liberal candidate Greg Sorbara would have smoothly taken over within two years, instead we likely will be facing another election in that quick time. Finally my third idea which still has the Liberals, Tories and New Democrats at each other necks as par usual at Queen's Park, but instead of the same old status quo politics of sturm, drang and krieg, an Independent from the North shall come into the Ontario Legislature and bring a brand new politics of peace, recovery and reconciliation down from afar being a district called Bruce Grey Owen Sound into Toronto, which then would launch us forward towards achieving Ontario's true place of greatness in the world, from what it is today to what it can be tomorrow.
I can dream, you can too if you tried, imagine.
Taking Personal and Community Responsibility
Just taking responsibility, that simple task in politics, let alone life, seems to be one of the most difficult things to do. But that is a task we, Shane, the rest of the campaign team and I have been given to do and break it down into areas of our own lives collectively we need it the most. From the policy research, formation and development side of the campaign, Shane and I believe these Seven Core Values towards Personal and Community Responsibility are key in this upcoming provincial election and its Bruce Grey Owen Sound campaign.
In so far as Democratic Responsibility is concerned, we must renew, reform and protect the democratic mechanisms that give voice to every citizen. We must demand genuine representation, free of party interference, and we must participate to fullest of our ability in the democratic process or risk losing our voice. On Fiscal Responsibility, we must bring respect back to the relationship between government and its taxpayers. We must understand that for every tax should come a service and expect the government to deliver it effectively, efficiently and equally amongst all citizens. On Social Responsibility, we must look to the interests of others as well as ourselves, starting with our closest neighbours. We must work together as a community to ensure the well being of our citizens. On Ecological Responsibility, we must be stewards of our local land and resources for the long term. We must manage our affairs in interest of future generations so that they can have equal or better opportunity than this generation. On Cultural Responsibility, we must return to our roots as a Canadian and Ontarian people, and as a Bruce Grey Owen Sound community. We must respect and recognize everyone's differences, as well as our similarities, in order to become more united as a people and a community. On Economic Responsibility, we must consider the impact of our purchasing decisions on both the quality and quantity of local jobs. We must return to understanding economics as mutual provision, rather than an abstract system that is outside of our control. We must look to our strengths, skills and wisdom as a caring local community to find our way forward in this time of global economic contraction. We must live within our means, personally and collectively. Finally as far as Constitutional Responsibility is concerned, we must demand greater jurisdiction over the policies that affect our unique rural economy, environment and culture. We must reorganize our regional governance to safeguard our local interests. We must not abdicate responsibility to upper levels of government for key policies affecting our future well being, particularly in the areas of planning and taxation.
From our actions come the chances and consequences of risk and reward, those choices bring the personal or collective power of change, whether positive or negative. Success is found in the most positive and rewarding ones being excerised and willed via that power, which is ultimately held deep within all of us, yet rarely ever used in the days of depression, decline and defeat. This is why all votable citizens of Bruce Grey Owen Sound needs to know that though there is always a price to pay and a demand to be decided for taking responsibility, be it time, money or effort, we gain that power of change back to make through ourselves.
