Things that would get My Vote - Part 1

In Ontario, we're expecting to be at the polls at least twice in the next few months. Once for our Provincial election, coming up very soon, and again for a soon-to-arrive federal election. The worst thing is that we don't really have anything coming from the main parties that we can sink our teeth into, whilst all around us we have aggravating thing that frustrate us to no end. If a political party would latch onto one of these issues, they would probably get my vote, and they might actually get more of us out to the polls. So, without further ado, here's my gripe list. Fix these, and I'll vote for you:

1. Highway Gridlock. You know what I mean. It's worse and worse all the time, and nothing is being done. This is highlighted by the fact that at least twice since its launch the privately owned Highway 407 as been widened, effectively reducing gridlock and improving the commute for those who use it. Meanwhile there is simply no action on the 401 and the 400, not to mention the QEW. Even worse, there doesn't even seem to be a plan. Wake up! Do something!

2. Killer Trucks. Most of us who drive on the 400-series highways see it almost daily. Angry truck drivers driving their big rigs like they are Civics. Tailgating, cutting lanes, and otherwise intimidating people. And then sure enough, you hear it yet again. Big accident. Car run over by truck, 3 people dead. If it isn't that it is parts falling off unsafe rigs killing people. Why does this continue? I propose that we ban all trucks over 3 tonnes from the 400 series highways. Permanently. Without compromise. In the short term, there will be pain, yes. But we will adjust. Then someone will build a nice private highway for the trucks, like the 407. It probably won't fix everything, but at least it will buy us some time.

3. Our Canadian Banks. Does anyone remember the good old days when you lent your money to the bank at one interest rate, and then the bank in turn lent your money out to others at a different, higher, interest rate, and made it's profit on the difference? Wouldn't it be nice to go back to that? The situation we have now is astounding. Our banks are huge, powerful monsters. And I mean monsters. Nearly every year they pull in record profits. They are so big they are actually buying out American banks. And how are they doing this? By raping and pillaging us. Since when did we roll over and just take it? Why do we allow them to nickel and dime us to death with service charges, account minimums, miscellaneous fees, and zero-interest accounts? You've all heard the stories. Mom takes little Johnnie to the bank to introduce him to the concept of banking. They open an account and deposit his money. Several months later, due to charges, low balance flags, and inactivity fees, his money is all gone. Nice. Why do we allow this system? These banks are more than just big private companies. They are chartered by our government. Just try to start another bank in Canada and see how hard it is. I propose we ban all service charges and fees. Our banks must go back to making their money solely from the differential between the interest rates on the money we loan them and the money they loan us.

Anyone proposing a brave initiate like one of these would definitely get my vote.

That's enough for now. Next time - Mandatory Auto Insurance and Identity Theft.

Ontario Elections - Missing the Big Issue

It is amazing to me, listening to all the rhetoric coming from the various political parties leading up to the Ontario Provincial election. Sometimes the Conservatives sound more liberal than the Liberals, and the Liberals sound more conservative than the Conservatives. There doesn't seem to be anything like a party political philosophy any more. It's all about the issue du jour. I'm sure There are other, way more articulate political scientists who can better elucidate this than I. But that's not the main topic I'm all up about today.

What gets me the most right now is how I sit there, barely moving, in rush hour traffic every day on the way home from work, listening to John Torie blunder about, trying to find his platform. He makes a bold statement about faith-based schools, and tries to make it a prime election issue. Then he receives the bite from people about it - even to the point of a serious threat to his own seat. Now he starts backpedalling. Next along comes Dalton "empty promises" McGuinty, rambling about with a bunch of equally contrived issues. I'm sure I speak for a lot of Ontarians when I say "oh sure Dalton".

In any case, the whole time I'm listening to this, I'm sitting there on a jammed up 400-series highway (apparently one of the 3 most gridlocked expressway systems on earth) that gets worse and worse every year, struggling to get home safely and in anything resembling a reasonable timeframe. And I don't hear even the slightest mention of an effort to address gridlock! What is going on?!?! There have got to be a lot of other people like me. I'm so disillusioned with the main parties that I'm probably going to vote Green party this time around. But if they would just once get on something that actually matters, they might get my vote.
- faith-based schools?
- ankle-bracelets?
Honestly, you guys are not reaching your electorate. These are minor issues affecting a small percentage of people. Get on something that is already sticking in everyone's craw! Our highways are so frustrating I'm sure someone could win an election on a gridlock-fixing promise. {sigh} even if it was an empty one...