Three candidates, three debates. Why are we having an election, again?
Former NDP Minister of Finance and CBC commentator Graham Steele joins us for the hour to unpack the parties, the policies, the leaders, and why, quite frankly, it probably doesn’t matter if you vote in this election or not. I mean, did you know that season three of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is on Netflix?
Also, there’s some weird stuff going on in Premier McNeil’s home riding regarding property swaps.
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I found this conversation interesting. I agree with Graham Steele that party loyalists voters are a problem. I am in favour of critical thinking. Basing one’s vote on the quality of the candidate sounds good but getting to truly know the candidates is pretty difficult. Solve that one for me. How is that done?
Agreed, it is difficult. Each riding needs a variety of public opportunities to see the candidates interact with each other and with the public. Our current system relies on citizen volunteers and groups to organize these events, often at a prohibitive cost. And our current system favours those who can take the time away from their careers to campaign full time, particularly in such a short election. (Full disclosure: I am a candidate in an HRM riding, and these are very real pain points for me).
I think electoral reform, particularly fixed election dates, are an important part of the process.
Graham Steele hasn’t shed the rancid soil of politics and political-speak, and it’s unlikely to happen given the superficial gloss with which he still paints his commentary after so long out of active politics. He’s so careful, so self-protective in his comments on Bridgetown School I thought his tongue might twist and suddenly rebel. Your comments had substance, Tim, though I don’t agree with all. And that’s the hook, the very reason to listen, to engage, to think and reflect, to possibly have one’s thinking changed or modified.
May I suggest you engage non-politically-aligned subjects for these conversations in future? – you and we listeners will have a better shot at hearing authentic, challenging opinion, hopefully from guests who aren’t concerned with covering their own asses and making vapid, superficial semi-defenses of a toxic, dysfunctional, archaic political system.
Well said. When Mr. Steele holds forth, “I don’t believe in the left/right wing” political stuff, he’s just like some malfunctioning blowdryer – all hot air and no effect. Teaching management “law” at Dal seems about right. You were very much part of the problem that’s left us with McNeil. Thanks for comin’ out Graham.