Another Letter to the Editors

As published in the Free Press January 6, 2006

Make a change at home

CHRISTOPHER Sunde’s Letter of the Day (Monday, Jan. 2) points the finger at politicians for driving the apathy of Canadian voters, but it is my view that our struggle to create meaningful democracy is just as heavily influenced by the whims of a spoiled society.

The scandals and back-room dealings that plague Ottawa are mirrored in the business community so many of us work and invest in. The greed, lust for power and short-sightedness displayed by politicians is not that distant from how many ordinary Canadians behave.

It is up to the public to inform themselves as to what matters and to pressure their leaders to commit to improving the nation. Instead many find distraction in materialism and infotainment, and let cynicism destroy their sense of duty. Our leaders are a direct result of our vacuous culture, and the complete lack of personal responsibility it engenders.

I suggest that people who truly want a change in Ottawa start by making a change at home. Talk politics at the supper table, make a meaningful contribution in cash or kind to a worthwhile organization. Stop blaming, complaining and drooling over plasma TVs. Make a difference. Better politicians begin with a better society, not vise versa.

RYAN KINRADE

Winnipeg

Here is the original letter:
No wonder there's apathy

In her letter (Encouraging apathy, Winnipeg Free Press, Dec. 28), Julia Wiebe laments the apparent apathy of voters during the "party-filled Christmas season" and encourages the media to be responsible for fostering interest in the democratic process.
One reason she cites for voter indifference is distrust in politicians, the same rationale Premier Gary Doer used to explain public reaction after the Gomery Commission Report. Canadians were justifiably disgusted and outraged at the corruption of the Adscam scandal, which led to a generalized feeling of low regard for people in public office, regardless to their connection to this series of events.

I believe that there are other reasons for this apathy on the part of the electorate. One is the sense of betrayal Canadians feel due to the actions of politicians. The generation that suffered and endured the calamities of the Great Depression and the Second World War created the social consensus which led to the development of the Canadian welfare state (employment insurance, pensions and universal health care).

Now very few elected officials vigorously defend medicare, "Canada's most cherished social service" or other positive social programs. Instead, the focus seems to be on pursuing a corporate agenda, including tax breaks for the wealthy and a growing inequality between the rich and poor. Canadians are aware of this betrayal and conscious abandonment of their values by those in positions of power.

A second factor is the reality that most social policy decisions are conducted behind closed doors with little opportunity by those affected to have meaningful input. The process is not transparent, hence, not democratic. In fact, this style of operating has been called "social policy by stealth" due to the lack of consultation and power sharing. People who are systematically excluded from the process tend to lose interest and become discouraged and apathetic. A third thing to consider is the apparent opportunism of politicians. A friend of mine who ran for public office several times once said (in jest) "These are my principles... And if you don't like them, I'll change them!" He was kidding.

Unfortunately, the opportunism and apparent lack of principles of people like Peter MacKay and Belinda Stronach lead the general public to be cynical about the motives of politicians. For this reason, it's difficult to believe in, trust, or respect people seeking public office. Some people have apparently concluded, "Why bother?" (to vote, to take an interest, to try to change things).

Until politicians at all levels start to change their behaviour with respect to these factors, apathy will not only continue but grow. This does not bode well for a healthy Canadian society.


CHRISTOPHER SUNDE

Winnipeg