I suppose we would all be better off if people paid a bit more attention to what's going on, and to not blindly accept what other people want you to believe.  I hate to say it, but there are a lot of people out there who make misleading statements because they have their own agenda to carry out.  Perhaps if politics was a little more 'people making policy for the good of the world' and less 'people who really want to get their hands in the honey pot.'

A while ago I wrote a paper where I attacked the Greek model of democracy because ordinary people were basically had to serve, and it was all done by lot.  I tried to defend the right of people to not get involved.  Obviously we cannot recreate ancient Athens (it would be impossible in our context), but I now think that my paper implied it was alright for citizens to be ignorant and for government to be the realm of ambitious individuals.

It's always useful to stay current and up-to-date.  I know I haven't.  Don't forget your password!

Other useful information- it's best to not go about saying things unless you know what you're talking about.  If you are going to make allegations it is worth it to check if they might actually be true.  If you don't know the answer, don't pretend that you do know the answer.  If you're a cabinet minister being asked a question, you should not be giving improvised answers that may actually conflict with your government's policies.

On the other hand, if your name is Alberto Gonzales and you refuse to answer a question simply because it's politically embarassing, then there really is no point in your showing up.

I get angry seeing the Tories making negative attack ads while there is no election.  I hope they never, ever use taxpayer money for such a slimy purpose.  It's all about energizing their base or dividing the opposition in preparation for the election which they desperately want, but don't want to call.

I don't believe in fixed election dates.  Some people think they take away an advantage for the government.  In actuality, the government will still have the advantage because they can write legislation featuring $$$.  All the opposition can do is oppose and villify, and that really only works when the government has really screwed up.  Until a party gets its hands on the purse-strings, they will always be at a disadvantage.  Fixed election dates can result in American-style year long campaigns in which politicians promise much and deliver little.  Not to mention the ridiculous media circus that seems to follow it around.  I watched CNN, I know they were asking people if they were running for president for 2008 in 2005.

I think everyone would agree it looked rather ridiculous to see Harper desperately trying to defeat his government and Dion propping him up a government he clearly opposes.  Not voting makes you look rather silly.  But if that's what you've got to do to keep the ground you're standing on, then that's what you've got to do.  It's really a matter of Harper playing games and trying to portray the Liberals as being soft on crime.  On that note, it is rather funny how reality and public perception can be far apart.  Fear of crime can go up even if it's actually going down.  People are always going to be fretting about something- if it's not the economy or terrorism or war or health care, it might as well be crime.

Cutting the GST is stupid.  If you want to cut taxes, cut income tax- especially personal income tax for the lower and middle income earners.

I think at this point in time, praising Brian Mulroney is as risky as handling nuclear waste.