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Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Ain't no room for different... or is there?
Here I am up earlier than usual struggling with a question that has been bugging me since yesterday, after I heard at a meeting last night that a certain carpetbagger establishment type is planning on running for mayor in our upcoming municipal election.
It got me thinking how our elections in democratic countries are run these days, which is far from democratic and more about how deep your pockets are. In the U.S. I heard recently a congressman has to spend a million plus dollars to win a seat in that country. A billion dollars or more if you want to be president. Here in Canada its no different, its all about the money. "We are so materialistic today that poverty now actually carries the shame that cowardice carried in earlier, warrior times." To be poor is to literally be priced out of the game, in more ways than one.
In the Pass it seems its not only about the money, how big your bank account is, but whether you were born here or not i.e. whether you come from pedigree stock. If you happen to have some letters in front or back of your name well that's almost a given that you're a shoe-in for obviously you are one of the elite and therefore more deserving than anyone else.
Whether we like to admit it or not the truth is we have been conditioned to believe only elites are deserving of running the institutions that govern our lives. We live in a class society of the haves and the have nots. Those who have gets, and those who don't, don't. Therefore it seems to me there simply is no room for those who are different. Those who don't fit the mode of conformity and established protocols. When one is from the other side of the tracks what chance does one have against the Irwin's and Decoux's of this world and their kind, when the deck is stacked against you? Better to learn your place like the plantation slave than to test fate and circumstance by demanding freedom and a better world. What think you my brethren?
Personally, letting the establishment continue to get away with their closed door monopoly on the mayor's chair is not something I agree with for it goes against my fighting nature, but sometimes reality is not only a bitch but a forgone conclusion. Tilting at windmills is best left to the Don Quixote's of this world, as is the running of our governments by establishment elites... because that's just the way it is.
They say those who have nothing to lose are the richest among us. But is there really room here in the Pass in a leadership role for those of us who are different?
If you want something you better make some noise.
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35 comments:
There was new Municipal Election Finance and Contribution Disclosure legislation (LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT) in 2009.
http://www.qp.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?page=L21.cfm&leg_type=Acts&isbncln=9780779769339&display=html
Section 147.4(3)The municipality must ensure that all documents filed under this section are available to the public during regular business hours.
Have you looked at those?
what documents are yo referring to?
The documents referred to in section 147. It's about 60% of the way down on the page linked.
According to the minutes, councillors were advised about this after the Oct. 2010 election. You will have to know this stuff after you are elected.
Who is this carpetbagger, establishment type?
Anon @11:01
Not for me to say. That person will make their own announcement at a time of their own choosing. I respect that.
JP
The have nots do not seem to have any confidence in themselves as to their abilities. No they do not have that higher education or piles of money, but what they don't realize is that to be a good shepherd it takes more than that. It takes a love and betterment of community , not just power mongering and filling your boots at the expense of the ordinary citizen. All it takes is knowing your neighbor and community and applying your knowledge on economics and needs of the people. The ordinary person has more to offer than those who have had their nose stuck in a book all their lives or were lucky enough to have had parents who worked hard and left them a pile of money which they now think makes them better than those who were not as fortunate. Get off your knees and realize how valuable and powerful you are.
Lee, best post on the blogs in a long time. You are absolutely correct.
Our voting skills, we need to be honing,
cause in the future, we don't want to be moaning.
I've modified a verse from one of my previous posts. Something we all need to take action on......LETS GET ON IT!
Thanks to anon 9:38 for your research, if we all work together, and learn from each other....who knows what could happen!
Filling a position on council takes time commitment. The Have nots unfortunately spend alot of their time working to put food on their table leaving very little time to make a good commitment to serve in their community. This situation is present in the volunteer sector - Dual Income is needed for families now a days - parents struggle to just find time to keep up to their households and families. If society would quit imposing that we need this electric device, that service, newer vehicles (not junkers), fancy houses- we wouldn't have this problem of shortage of time.And have we ever had a Miner on council? i can't recall or am ignorant - maybe because their work schedule doesn't allow it.
3:58 very good point. I believe we have a few candidates here who do not come from the "have" section. Can we all find a little bit of time or funds to support them, so that they will have a fighting chance against the "haves?" Let's give it a try. What have we got to lose?
sounds like alot of boo hoo poor me john put your hat in the ring and see what happens personally i think you will get in people have had enough but we want someone strong in spirit so stop feeling sorry for yourself and start pounding the pavement
John, would you like some cheese with your whine. Thats why I think you would make a terrible mayor, to busy crying the blues about everything and everyone. Have you got nothing positive to say.
Lee,
Did you forget to take your happy pills yesterday?
My post was meant as a 'call to action' just as was the one I did recently What must be done to win back our community that received little in the way of constructive and positive action from my readers. Unless you call ridicule, kitchen sinking by way of going off topic, action?
I wash my hands of my readers here. Elect another establishment type from among the elites why dontcha. You'll have at the very least Decoux and a carpetbagger to chose from, both of whom spent more time outside this community than in it, but hey, it saves you from having to get behind one of your own, who somehow just aren't good enough?
A former mining community that still has the 'mine boss' mentality being taken over by newcomers is to far gone to know what is in their own best interest it seems, and therefore haven't got the know with all to do what needs doing, even when it is spelled out for them.
JP
John, I do not think it is a matter of haves or have nots. The present political situation leaves the field wide open, and it will be a pro vote or anti vote re the present Mayor and Council. The voting ballot may get a little crowded, which may favor the incumbents if they do indeed have their Silent Majority. I doubt that they have it. But I'm not sure that the area is prepared to go along with "the world according to John" either.
It will be a free for all. Look for new faces without regard to so called standing in the community, if the interest continues. We were fooled last time, and if we still go with the same crew, you are right, we can kiss " the old Crowsnest" goodbye.
Looks like it's time for a tip.
Go with the present council and the CNP will pass into bankruptcy. The council is out of control. Arrogance paired with ignorance will do it everytime. Take care.
I think that "Chloe" must have excelled in drama class.....
John, you have as much right to run as anyone else, mayor or council.
Everyone can give their platform and the people can decide.
Anon @2:18
In the past it wasn't 'platforms' that mattered but who the establishment groups such as Community Futures, Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Legions, etc. and now the Ratepayers got behind, who then gave their marching orders to the masses, that matters.
Anon @1:03
"the world according to John"
Forget me. But if you want real change then you have to get behind, support, volunteer, organize, fund raise, someone and not wait until a few weeks before the election because the establishment types will be working long before then for their candidate with their list of members and supporters.
Anon @1:37
Again, muchas gracias. :-)
JP
It is really sad that someone would vote for someone that someone else tells them to. I would not feel too good about myself if I could not make my own, education decision. Unbelieveable. Vote with your heart. Look at the mess it has been for the last 30 years.
Anon 6:50, just wondering how you make your decision.Do you take information from various media, attend candidate debates, volunteer for your candidate? What happens when the media input is so
biased, the single debate is based on preordained questions, the candidates appear out of the blue. How does this give you an educated base to make your decision?
Probably make decisions here just the same as everyone does. No different here than anywhere else. Everytime you vote anyone in anywhere it is a "crap shoot".
Chloe you just said it. The candidates forums are indeed organized to prop up certain candidates who could promise the moon and not be properly questioned on their commitment. We have seen this many times here for the citizens have awfully short memories. I raised this issue years ago in a letter that was sent to both local papers. And it is well known here that at least one of the local papers has an agenda of their own. Now the ratepayers will be unofficially supporting a candidate of their own. If you think back to the last election i would doubt very much that many people could remember why they voted for the people that represent them now.
You make it sound like people in the CNP can't think for themselves. Maybe with a few supposedly "newcomers" it will be different. They have no preconceived allegiances to anyone like a lot of people here do. There again, if you split the vote, what do you have.
Anon @7:18
My god man, last election by a landslide the masses voted for a name not knowing the man. The elections before that they voted for a title and allowed their community to slide into a sink hole. You really think people here vote for a platform, they vote for who they are told to vote for should be obvious to anyone who follows politics here. That's why I keep harping away at we need to get organized (both newcomers and long-timers alike) in order to finally break free and put in an anti-establishment candidate of our own choosing.
JP
I think they vote for anyone but you. You could Homer Simpson as a choice on the mayor ballot and they would pick that over "John Prince". I know I would.
Anti-establishment, I like the sound of that.
Then I guess my name shouldn't be on the ballot... you can vote for Homer Simpson instead, since he is obviously a man of your calibre and intellect. :-)
Well, that deserves a tip for sure. Tell you what, I don't like paying that .50 for each one, so I'm gonna send you four at one time, just to cover the next three. Deal?
I think anyone looking at a personal blog realizes it is only one person's opinion, not always reflective of the truth.
Anon @11:18
Deal. Merci :-)
Anon @7:36
And who do you work for? Victor Tanti?
I think it IS Victor!
Anon 7:36
So.....where do I go to find the truth? What magic media do you recommend? TV? Radio? Newspaper? Newsletters? Notes in my utility bill? Oh, wait! I know! I'll let Victor tell me stories!
Anyone notice the difference in the Mayor's letter, and how it's more structured and informative. Guess the PR money that we knew nothin about is being used.......
Yes, I noticed. I gagged. What a fairy tale.
Lee,
Upon rereading your comment above just now I see the wisdom and sincerity in what you say, and the wake up call to boot.
We all can make a difference no matter our station in life if only we stand up and and act, to demand better.
At first, I took offence to your comment and responded accordingly, now I know better and thank you. Please keep sharing. Best!
JP
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