On page 18 and 19 of today’s paper is a story on MP Alex Atamanenko.
He talks about how this country has become less peaceful and more militant. Or at least we have from a governance perspective.
He is talks about his skepticism of our political system after three terms.
I am not going to quote him here, but please read the story. It is worth the read and our Trail Times reporter Sheri Regnier did a good job capturing our outgoing MP’s feelings and comments.
His main point, I think, is that things are worse now for democracy and governance in Canada than ever before.
Part of me can’t help but feel Alex is a bit naive in his hopes for politics. Part of me thinks this has always been the way of government. Haven’t we always just voted for our next four-year dictator?
I have always admired Alex. I haven’t always agreed with him, or his politics, but I have always found him to be a fair person, who does what he believes is right. I think we have been well-served by Alex and I think we will miss him as our MP.
However, I will also say that part of me agrees with Alex. I can’t help but feel the current state of governance in this country is off base and that we are some how less democratic than we have ever been before.
For example, I hate the attack ads on Justin Trudeau. They feel un-Canadian. That isn’t how we roll, or at least I hoped that.
However, I think we also need to be honest and understand that being in an NDP riding in Western Canada isn’t good for business. I am not sure you cannot be farther away from the ear, and favour, of government.
I think that will be the challenge for voters in this new riding in this fall’s federal election - do we want to be on the outside looking in or do we want to finally get an inside voice with government.
I have no idea which way is right and to be honest, neither one feels quite right.
Chuck Bennett
Publisher