State of our Democracy

The Liberals are broke - after 8 years - still broke. Why? In almost a decade the party brass have been unable to raise money - why?

For the population of our fair province this is a very bad state of affairs. We essentially have no Opposition and are not likely to get any soon unless some significant changes are made.

The first couple of years - I get it - after a crushing defeat to the PC's. Then you go inside - wipe it all out and begin to attract new ideas and people to the table. The next two years you promote your changes and start to put the party back together. That did not happen. Okay then we expect in the following four years for sure this would be done. What happened? Who is running the show? What changes have been made? Have you alienated more people than you have attracted?

Now they will need another four years - for what? Their turn? By the time that rolls around there won't be an asset or resource left to work with. Unfortunately - the Liberals lack of desire or inability to turn things around means the virtual dictatorship continues.

This means things like the fibre-optic fiasco and the Lower Churchill legacy of shame will go unchallenged in any real way by the other parties. It means questions will not be asked and very big mistakes will be made.

Consider what has taken place. We have lost two paper mills - the fishery is all but collapsed for our rural communites, partisanship has ruled the day on appointments to key government positions and on contracts divied out without tenders such as the fibre-optic deal to Danny's one-time and maybe now partner Dean MacDonald and the smoke lawsuit to Danny's old law-firm - promises of transparency have been forgotten - critics threatened both publicly and privately - House of Assembly means nothing - promises of openness and debate on resource developments renaged on - billions in losses of federal equalization dollars - no plan for further industrial development - no redress on the Upper Churchill - empty promises to hold the federal government to account - and significant decisions being made by an "unelected" premier.

It is plainly obvious that there is tremendous opportunity for real opposition - yet there has been none. The media really have nothing to work with - other than go with the flow. There are some journalists attempting to make a stab at some issues - but they are lost in a sea of oblivion where we the people are not given any real alternatives. How many times has one of you heard the following; "we don't like what the PC's are doing but who will we vote for?"

The Liberals and NDP for their part are doing nothing to attract the 37% undecided vote which is made more obvious by voter apathy. Who is to blame? Well if we listen to their spokespeople - they are not to blame. It's like being in a state of perpetual pregnancy - there is no gestation period - and some day just some day something new will emerge.

There is a problem with this theory - a problem which is escaping the Liberals and the NDP - we can't wait around for you. Too much damage will be done in the interim by people drunk on power - filled with unjustified arrogance - who will do a deal without any input all because there is no opposition. That's why I know there is no passion in any of our elected members for if there were they would find a way to prevent this situation.

If the Opposition were strong then a high school principal - a leader - refused to debate issues during an election would be summarily dismissed as an opportunist, a yes man, and one without real democratic principles. If the Opposition were strong - Danny would not be able to fly back in during a by-election without proper ridicule for being a hypocrite.

We the people must find another way to stop the horrific decisions being made by this unopposed government and stop the destruction of our future.