My Liberal Party #LPC

(This politically themed post is on request of a loyal reader, so blame him if you don’t like reading my ideological ramblings.)

I was asked by my good friend Roy to describe a liberal party as I would want it to be, and I’ll try my best. One important note is that these ideas are not party-exclusive, so feel free to take them and add them to your views.

I’ll start with the overall guiding ideals that would shape the decision-making process. There are 3 governing traits that define the political experience that I want to be a part of: sensible, responsible, and compassionate.

  • Sensible means making policy and governance decisions based on fact and reason,  and not based on emotion or how many votes it will get you in the next election.
  • responsible means making the decisions that will lead to the greatest increase in the well-being of the Canadian people, even if it’s wildly unpopular with an interest group. The elected officials represent their constituents: not the corporations, not the unions, not any special interest group.
  • Most importantly, compassionate means that every decision is made with the goal of creating a better, more compassionate society for our children. We are a country with great wealth, safety, health, and ability. Our humanity is best defined by the kindness we show others, and as a nation we should pursue that kindness from coast to coast.

These ideals are the ones I try to live by each and every day, and I want any group that I choose to support and work with to reflect these values.

“But these are just vague, ideological musings. Where’s the beef? I want specific policy statements!” you cry, and I will submit to your demands. be warned: there’s nothing radical in my personal platform. Those vague guidelines that I listed above keep me from being too far out on either side of an ideological argument, since I have to keep in mind all sides of an argument before charting my own course. So, in no particular order, a few policy ideas:

  • PAY DOWN DEBT. Tax money paid to service the debt (aka pay the interest) is shameful spending, throwing away the hard-earned money of Canadians, all because the Government spent money they didn’t have. Accumulating debt is a crime against the next generation who will have to deal with your sloppy fiscal policy. Before we make any other fiscal policy changes, we have to get the books in order.
  • Simplify the tax code. Close the loopholes. I won’t ever promise you tax cuts, but I will try to make sure that everyone is paying their fair share.
  • Clean up corporate subsidies. Any government subsidy has to be measured against the long-term value to the community and to Canadians. How many long-term, permanent jobs will be created by the subsidy? If that money would create more long-term, permanent jobs in the public sector, then that’s where the money will go.

More than anything, I believe in a meritocracy, where those with the talent and will to succeed are able to do so, and our society as a whole benefits when we make the barriers to success as few as possible. I want to get everyone to the starting line, and then it’s up to them to go as far as they can. Access to healthcare, education, safe living conditions,  all of these things will get our kids ready to compete.

 

Speak up, sonny

For the first time that I’ve ever noticed, I’ve had a full year with an overall theme. Not just a random mishmash of haphazard life events (though those still happened) but a set of important experiences and revelations that all work towards the same motif. This is the year that I found my voice.

No I was not bound by a vow of silence in a remote German monastery, or trapped within an iron mask to prevent me from taking the crown from my usurping cousin.Nope, it was a lot less exciting than that. I found my creative voice by working on WitchKids and its sequel. I found my political voice by enduring the humiliating discomfort of being on the losing side of an election(the really, REALLY losing side). And more importantly, these experiences and my need to share and explore the new ideas has made me into a social creature.

I know, you all seem shocked when I talk about being socially anxious, and I’ll admit that I’ve always been pretty good at conversational situations that I had some control over. But now, I’m willing to talk to pretty much anyone at any time, flying without a safety net. Big gatherings full of strangers dont’ frighten me any more. In the interest of full disclosure, I am still a little intimidated by a room full of complete strangers, but I think I’m now at a level of stress that you could qualify as ‘normal’.

I give credit to my life-long love affair with the sound of my own voice: when you love something this deeply, you want to share it with everyone around you. The next step might be talking to random people on public transit, in the mall food court,  anyplace where a person might stand still for a few moments. And then, triumphantly, my transformation into a crazy old man will be fully complete. (Serious note: I give all the credit to the unflinching kindness and support I receive continually from my wonderful wife. Best wife ever.)

Another benefit of this willingness to talk and interact with people is that I can withstand salespeople now. No more running from a guy trying to sell me something. I don’t begrudge him – he’s doing his job, trying to get me to buy something, but I do not have to buy anything from him just because he really wants me to.

 

Calling it early-Christmas is a success!

Looking at the tree and the presents starting to accumulate below the branches, I started to ruminate about my own gifts that might show up under there in the next 24 hours. I’m usually pretty bad with coming up with gift suggestions. When pressed for an answer to “what would you like for Christmas?” I engage in an overly complex intellectual process of valuation analysis as I try to find out what my own perfect gift would be.  I should just relax and give my gut answer.

But really, I’ve already received the best gifts, the presents that I want with all my heart. I have a family that has been healthy and happy for the entire year.  I’m able to watch my little dude rough-housing and giggling with his grandpa, an experience that I never had as a child. I’m able to stay at home and be with my wonderful boy, as well as pursuing my ambitions and dreams, and that is all thanks to the hard work and sacrifice from my amazing wife. Who could ever ask for more than the chance to chase your dreams? I mean, I wouldn’t turn down a new big TV or a fancy trip to Ottawa, but it would all be icing on the cake.

And, I also have the gift of you, my resilient and delightful readers. Even when you disagree with me, you still come back to read the next burst of nonsensical text I churn out. Your attention gives me encouragement, both as moral support, and as a motivational prod, and I love you all for both of those functions.

All in all, I’m making out like a bandit, and I couldn’t be happier. Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and be excellent to each other.