200 Day Marathon (and still running!)

Day 581, 09:44 • Published in Canada Canada • by Alias Vision

The race is not over but it has past the 200th (201) day marker and as such can safely be said to represent a guarantor of things to come rather than a trend.

200 days of active contribution to the economy of Canada, 120 of those days spent in Congress.

My formative ‘years’ in all things Canadian bore witness to a time of absentee government and opportunistic Congress, a time used to assimilate as much of the political culture as was available to a newcomer and an outsider. That gradually changed as the nation matured following its baby boom and mini boom. As more citizens got involved, more accountability and transparency was demanded and Congressmen were required to at least make the effort of a presentation (something I hope to see the voting public continue to demand of their elected officials).

Although never entirely free from the influence of special interests, successive Canadian administration managed to maintain a collegiate approach to governance. Mistakes were made for which members of our elite were made accountable. Indeed, the last Presidential election was a referendum of sorts on both the candidate and the past administration. Canadians were unsatisfied with the status quo and spoke clearly their intentions to see a new direction for the country.

Enter Jacobi, the first boomer president which is no small achievement. He campaigned on change, a promise of more accountability and openness, the lasting message one of inclusion, specifically targeting the boomer generations and engaging them to help lead Canada. Imagine the ripples of shock now going through citizens young and old as we witness much of that promise evaporate.

From the very start of the new administration there was introduced a climate of tension and mistrust. Beta-giants, of which there are few left, became a curse word and very quickly long contributing members of our political community were attempted to be marginalized and ostracized. Congress was attempted to be railroaded as in his first motions the President wanted to govern by decree rather than by consensus. Bruck, who may very well have made mistakes but whose greatest flaw might turn out to be the cult of personality surrounding him, was supposed to be the autocrat. The Jacobi administration has turned out to be the true autocrats. Never has power been so concentrated and rarely has our leaders disregarded precedent with such impunity.

Divisive politics are the order of the day, special interests and personal agendas animate every single debate and intervention. The moderate voices have trailed off and been silenced while still being broadly smeared at any opportunity. Congress participation is hovering at their lowest point of the past 5 months. The main voice in the ear of the President appears to be a infamously exiled Canadian with deep pockets. The office of the attorney general has been shamefully politicized and a story that should have been nothing more than satire is degenerating into a full blown scandal with far reaching consequences. Canada will need a lot of healing.

It is because of all this that citizens should support veteran voices in Congress. On the 25th I will have 120 days experience at the job. Regardless of my political affiliation I am a consensus builder and prefer to build bridges rather than burn them down. I see Congress as more than an advisory body but as a full participant in the governing of the country. I see many very capable ministers and aides currently doing their jobs and I will support them so that Canada can continue to grow unimpeded by personal ambition.

A vote for Alias Vision this June will be a vote to return Canada to a community of peers as opposed to a coven of foes.

To those that are sure to comment on the bias of this article keep in mind that this was written as an outsider because the current climate and powers that be will allow nothing else. You may choose to attack and you may choose start the healing process now. Evidently I offer you an olive branch.

Thank you.