It’s a year later. A year since we had our first meeting with the publisher of my latest novel, The Third Hole. A year since the genius son told me I would have to starting writing blogs.
“Blogs?” I had asked him. “What’s a blog?”
“Okay Ma, this is definitely it! You are going to have to pay attention to what is going on around you. Social media, facebook, and blogs are all a part of promoting your book. Past infamy alone will not do it!”
And so I began writing blogs, and quite by accident, I also discovered the comments portion of newspaper/magazine articles and Disqus – woof! I was on a run! Now it is fun – but as I have told you so often – my short fuse often provokes nasty comments on both sides of the story. And in the face of my son’s disapproval, I have tried to tone it down – not always successfully.
Still lots of uglies – but so many more ‘likes’. And all those phony name users don’t realize that in order to post their comments, certain information has to be provided to the server. And so, guess what? With the right brilliant mind let loose, the true identity of the ugly wordsters can often be uncovered. So that is an alert for all of you – especially those of you who love insulting others because you think you will never be unmasked. Hah! Think again!
So now, let’s talk politics. There are lots of terrific politicians in Canada, and specifically Ontario. But they don’t get the blood boiling the way the bad ones do. And this is a blog – and my goal is to develop a large following.
Today I’ll start with McWynne (she is a clone of McGuinty ) who did what any smart politician would do in order to hang on to power. She called five be-elections for August 1, the day before the long weekend.
Expected voter turnout? 35%. Voter apathy keeps incumbents in power for years. Why would she do anything to change a winning strategy? Obviously she wouldn’t. And certainly no one can blame her.
So this is the story in Ontario to date:
McGuinty and McWynne absolutely ripping us off financially with give-aways to the unions
McGuinty and McWynne allowing incompetent jerks to run E-Health
McGuinty (this is his own shining moment) hiding in the bushes as native protesters who were camped out illegally destroyed Caledonia. McGuinty wouldn’t let the OPP clear them out – and do you know who his right hand was on that travesty? Julian Fantino – now a federal Conservative.
McGuinty and McWynne encouraging bureaucrats to look the other way as the Ornge outrage went on for two years
And I saved the best for last – McGuinty personally directing the cancellation of power plants that cost you and me $850 million dollars – and then pretending that he didn’t know that his chief of staff deleted all the evidence – and McWynne pretending that she didn’t know about it either.
So you must think that I don’t like the Liberals. Not true. Most politicians, no matter what their party, turn into the same animal once they get elected. And that includes Conservatives and the NDP – though the NDP rarely has any power so they haven’t yet risen en masse to the occasion.
The game never changes…only the players.
So what is it that turns too many of these guys into fence sitters, liars, nerds and conflict of interest experts?
POWER! The ultimate aphrodisiac. Once they get a taste of it, they will do anything to keep it.
A politician with power is a sight to behold. One doesn’t have to be a shrink to understand that these guys usually equate their manhood with their power. People gravitate to him – they smile, they nod, they agree, they offer to do him favours, they offer to help his children or his spouse or his girlfriend, they offer to raise money for his constituency office, for his riding association, for his favourite charity.
People do this to be included in the politicians’ circle, to get favours, or, if one is in the development industry, zonings, density and lately, especially in the city of Toronto, slush funds. And it is almost always men who either take the pay-offs or do the pay -offs. Of course, there are always exceptions, but that is for another blog
In short, as long as the politician is in power, he is a mini-emperor – municipal, provincial or federal. And when they are un-elected? Instant rejects! And their power is gone within twenty-four hours. So obviously they don’t want to lose.
Notice how I am using the “he” word. The reality is that it is male politicians who are the most addicted to power. Women in power are rarely hooked in the same way and usually equate what’s between their ears as the road to success.
In three weeks there will be five by-elections. This is where the ordinary folk have an opportunity to “keep it or get rid of it”. The government, that is. Most of you don’t live in the ridings that are up for grabs. But if you have friends or family who do, urge them to get out and vote!
I will be writing my next blogs on some of the games played at election time– kosher and not so kosher.
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