…crooks in the Senate.

Things I learnt about politics in Canada from Debate 2011 (the English one):

1. Saying something like “What Canadians need to understand is...” instils me with a rage and contempt for whoever the speaker is. Don’t tell us what we want or need to understand. Tell the facts and we’ll decide on our own.
   
2. TELL THE FACTS! We want to hear truth... which... I’m pretty sure is the reason we’re in an election in the first place...
   
3. If everything the other three (and all the citizens are asking you about) is “simply not true” I think you need to take a minute and ask yourself “Why does the vast majority keep spouting fiction? I think I’ll have a good look at what’s actually going on here. Maybe I’m not allowing myself to listen to what they’re actually saying.”
   
4. And, after you do that, if it actually isn’t true don’t just leave it at that. INFORM THE PUBLIC AS TO WHY IT’S NOT TRUE. We want details.
   
5. Our leaders have a hard time looking into each others’ eyes (Layton and Duceppe are  better than the others). FOR THE LOVE OF GOD look at the person you are answering a question of. You’re not debating the camera (unless you’re the first to answer the question). You’re debating the three others in the room.
   
6. I’m glad the respect I gained for Gilles Duceppe in ‘08 continues its upward growth. He’s the most level-headed of the bunch. A shame his goal is to divide the country...
   
7. ...although this brings up another important point: Gilles Duceppe is fighting tooth and nail to represent the Quebec people. That is his goal (or objective in theatre-speak). His passion is his people (and he’s essentially representing a whole nation). And that’s where he stands apart in the Canadian political climate. Mr. Duceppe hasn’t lost sight of why he’s allowed to lead; his people put him there and he is grateful. Harper, Ignatieff and Layton need to reassess their objectives in this election. It’s clear to anyone watching (at least I hope it is) that their top priorities are not to represent their people. Harper’s driving force is more power while Layton’s and Ignatieff’s is to oust Harper (and essentially obtain Harper’s objective). And while these are fine goals they just aren’t as grounded, nor do they allow the kind of impartiality that Duceppe is allowed.