Yes, that's right. Political Integrity.
There is a large part of our population that believe that the phrase "political integrity" is an oxymoron.
I do not.
I have worked for politicians, in BC, the Yukon, and Alberta, and have to say that there are many politicians with integrity.
The majority of politicians are truly public servants.
While I didn't always believe in their policies, I know that they did, and that is sometimes what matters. Underlying even their policies was a desire to make where we live a better place for the citizens. To me, that is integrity.
President Obama has integrity. There are some historical Canadian politicians that have integrity: Prime Minister Trudeau, Premier Tommy Douglas; and world leaders: Mohandas Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., President Nelson Mandela.
Use your imagination to think of more. Not just politicians that you like or agree with, or were charismatic. Recall them from the broader spectrum: from the left, the right, socialist, capitalist, even historical and religious leaders like Jesus, and Buddha. They too were politicians.
I do not suggest that there are no politicians without integrity, of course there are. However, this is not about them.
How do you tell whether a politician has integrity? Easy: are they honest? Do they keep their word?
Are they willing to stand up and face tough questions?
Do they acknowledge the little people in their community?
Do they work to make life better for their constituents?
Do they propose solutions or do they sling mud?
Are they accessible? Do they answer the important questions from the people they serve?
Take the time to find out. That's your job. Don't just dismiss all politicians. Remember that you have a responsibility too. It is not just about whether you show up in the voting booth (but that is an important component too), its about making an informed choice.
Don't be afraid to find out who has and who does not have integrity.
Take part. If you don't have the answers, ask questions. Then listen carefully to the answers.
There are politicians that have integrity. They do exist. Find out who they are and what they are going to do for your community, for your country. Support them. They need you just as much as you need them.
Be an citizen with integrity. You may be surprised that you will discover politicians with integrity. They exist. They want to serve.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
BC Homelessness
Homelessness in BC is in the news... must be an election looming...
The BC Liberals have decided to arbitrarily change the definition of “homeless”. They are doing this without so much as a “by your leave” with anyone, especially those with a vested interested in providing assistance to the homeless.
Why?
The election of course.
So they can bandy about numbers to support their blatant inaction in dealing with the issue of homelessness. Inaction, except in changing the name of course.
The Ministry of Housing & Social Development, has now issued their definition of homeless.
Couch-surfing is no longer part of the definition.
Sleeping in a doorway is no longer part of the definition, unless you have been there for more than 30 days.
Next, will they be changing the definition of 30 days? Will it be consecutive days? What about weekends?
If you are homeless for 30+days, will a stint on a friend’s couch for a weekend mean that you are not homeless any more?
Transition houses, houses without adequate or running water and no heat, second stage housing in shelters are all considered “housing”. So those living in these circumstances are now “housed”.
Tents?
Shacks and lean-to’s?
Looks like they mean you are now "housed" and not "homeless".
Here is a good article about this specific issue: http://thetyee.ca/News/2009/03/30/HomelessNumbers/
Also, on April 19, Pivot Legal Society and SFU are jointly presenting a day long film review and discussion about homelessness ($3 -$5) Doors open @ 11:30 a.m., SFU Harbour Centre (see poster here: http://www.pivotlegal.org/comingevents.html)
Here is the Ministry directive (have a look, it will likely disappear in the next week or so): http://www.gov.bc.ca/meia/online_resource/program_administration/homelessness/procedures.html#1
The BC Liberals have decided to arbitrarily change the definition of “homeless”. They are doing this without so much as a “by your leave” with anyone, especially those with a vested interested in providing assistance to the homeless.
Why?
The election of course.
So they can bandy about numbers to support their blatant inaction in dealing with the issue of homelessness. Inaction, except in changing the name of course.
The Ministry of Housing & Social Development, has now issued their definition of homeless.
Couch-surfing is no longer part of the definition.
Sleeping in a doorway is no longer part of the definition, unless you have been there for more than 30 days.
Next, will they be changing the definition of 30 days? Will it be consecutive days? What about weekends?
If you are homeless for 30+days, will a stint on a friend’s couch for a weekend mean that you are not homeless any more?
Transition houses, houses without adequate or running water and no heat, second stage housing in shelters are all considered “housing”. So those living in these circumstances are now “housed”.
Tents?
Shacks and lean-to’s?
Looks like they mean you are now "housed" and not "homeless".
Here is a good article about this specific issue: http://thetyee.ca/News/2009/03/30/HomelessNumbers/
Also, on April 19, Pivot Legal Society and SFU are jointly presenting a day long film review and discussion about homelessness ($3 -$5) Doors open @ 11:30 a.m., SFU Harbour Centre (see poster here: http://www.pivotlegal.org/comingevents.html)
Here is the Ministry directive (have a look, it will likely disappear in the next week or so): http://www.gov.bc.ca/meia/online_resource/program_administration/homelessness/procedures.html#1
Friday, February 13, 2009
Brazen & Blazen advertising
Yup,
This is brazen blazen self promotion!
I'm moving.
I'm getting rid of as much as I can! (Its only "stuff")
I'm renting a table at the Vancouver Flea Market (the big red barn) on Terminal in Vancouver
Come and get some GREAT deals...
Some of the "stuff": kitchen appliances, table cloths, linen (napkins), picture frames, teddy bears, knick knacks, jewellry, collectibles, Valentine stuff~!!!!
Come by and say hi
Have your picture taken and posted on facebook (or here :)
Bring your sense of humour and your wallet!
Lynne & Jen
This is brazen blazen self promotion!
I'm moving.
I'm getting rid of as much as I can! (Its only "stuff")
I'm renting a table at the Vancouver Flea Market (the big red barn) on Terminal in Vancouver
Come and get some GREAT deals...
Some of the "stuff": kitchen appliances, table cloths, linen (napkins), picture frames, teddy bears, knick knacks, jewellry, collectibles, Valentine stuff~!!!!
Come by and say hi
Have your picture taken and posted on facebook (or here :)
Bring your sense of humour and your wallet!
Lynne & Jen
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
You get what you vote for
Harper's Conservatives do NOT care about the average Canadian. Its same ol' same ol' on Parliament Hill.
Canadians are generally hard workers. However, our own government (Human Resources Minister Diane Finley) does NOT agree. Instead, she says “We do not want to make it lucrative for them to stay home and get paid for it”. She is talking about Employment Insurance Claimants. You know... that thing that ALL working Canadians must pay into and are entitled to when they loose their jobs through no fault of their own.
No fault, but hey... we must ensure you are not lazy you sloths!
Look who is call Canadian lazy!
The government that uses EI funds for their general budget.
Might as well just call it what it is... a tax.
How insulting.
To the very people that make this country work.
An extra 5 weeks of benefits is all you are going to get you lazy sods.
Be grateful for that!
Have a look at this article: http://thetyee.ca/Views/2009/02/09/Lazy/
Canadians are generally hard workers. However, our own government (Human Resources Minister Diane Finley) does NOT agree. Instead, she says “We do not want to make it lucrative for them to stay home and get paid for it”. She is talking about Employment Insurance Claimants. You know... that thing that ALL working Canadians must pay into and are entitled to when they loose their jobs through no fault of their own.
No fault, but hey... we must ensure you are not lazy you sloths!
Look who is call Canadian lazy!
The government that uses EI funds for their general budget.
Might as well just call it what it is... a tax.
How insulting.
To the very people that make this country work.
An extra 5 weeks of benefits is all you are going to get you lazy sods.
Be grateful for that!
Have a look at this article: http://thetyee.ca/Views/2009/02/09/Lazy/
Thursday, January 22, 2009
President Obama's Inaugural Speech
Wow!
I know, that’s not the most useful analysis of yesterday’s speech, but it captures my emotional reaction perfectly.
Wow... and: Honourable, Integral, Joyous, Firm, Resolute, In-vocative, Challenging, Inspiring, Virtuous, Resolute, Compelling.
I could go on and on, but you get the idea. I was moved. I cried, I was joyous, and I felt like there was hope. Like the rain clouds lifted and the sun shone brightly through the silver lining.
It was probably one of the best speeches I’ve been privileged to hear.
In the moment, right now, I feel it was one of the greatest speeches. It was in the league of Kennedy’s “ask not what your country can do for you...” speech. It was as moving and as hopeful as Dr. King’s “I have a dream” speech. It was as challenging as anything I have read by Ghandhi or Mandela. It was as inspiring as Hillary Clinton’s “ No way. No how. No McCain” at the Democratic Convention.
My cousin says it was “on the money”. The tone was perfect. There was no mincing words just to appease or pussy-foot around anyone or any thing. Another cousin: “Hope, peace and co-operation”.
I know, that’s not the most useful analysis of yesterday’s speech, but it captures my emotional reaction perfectly.
Wow... and: Honourable, Integral, Joyous, Firm, Resolute, In-vocative, Challenging, Inspiring, Virtuous, Resolute, Compelling.
I could go on and on, but you get the idea. I was moved. I cried, I was joyous, and I felt like there was hope. Like the rain clouds lifted and the sun shone brightly through the silver lining.
It was probably one of the best speeches I’ve been privileged to hear.
In the moment, right now, I feel it was one of the greatest speeches. It was in the league of Kennedy’s “ask not what your country can do for you...” speech. It was as moving and as hopeful as Dr. King’s “I have a dream” speech. It was as challenging as anything I have read by Ghandhi or Mandela. It was as inspiring as Hillary Clinton’s “ No way. No how. No McCain” at the Democratic Convention.
My cousin says it was “on the money”. The tone was perfect. There was no mincing words just to appease or pussy-foot around anyone or any thing. Another cousin: “Hope, peace and co-operation”.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Lack of Confidence in Harper
Stephen Harper must really be upset. He is so upset that his sense of logic has been subverted.
Harper is going to subvert the concept of prorogation of parliament to attempt to avert the confidence vote.
That's what this is... plain and simple. A Confidence vote.
Do the members of Parliament have confidence that the current Prime Minister and his government are able to carry on the business of the government?
If it is a question of being undemocratic... Mr. Harper needs to look in the mirror for the answer.
Ok, so what is prorogation of parliament for? It is for the END of a session of the Parliament, and no more bills are to be submitted until the next session, and a new speech from the Throne.
We have only had a speech from the Throne.
There have been NO bills submitted.
We cannot have prorogation of parliament until some work has been accomplished. If the government of the day cannot have any bills passed, that is because THERE IS NO CONFIDENCE LEFT IN THE GOVERNMENT.
If that is the case, the Government should resign and a Writ is dropped for the next election.
Canadians need to take on this. Write to your member of Parliament. Here how to find out who your MP is (based on your postal code):http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Compilations/HouseOfCommons/MemberByPostalCode.aspx?Menu=HOC
The message you need to send is simple:
HAVE PM STEPHEN HARPER ALLOW A VOTE
Harper is going to subvert the concept of prorogation of parliament to attempt to avert the confidence vote.
That's what this is... plain and simple. A Confidence vote.
Do the members of Parliament have confidence that the current Prime Minister and his government are able to carry on the business of the government?
If it is a question of being undemocratic... Mr. Harper needs to look in the mirror for the answer.
Ok, so what is prorogation of parliament for? It is for the END of a session of the Parliament, and no more bills are to be submitted until the next session, and a new speech from the Throne.
We have only had a speech from the Throne.
There have been NO bills submitted.
We cannot have prorogation of parliament until some work has been accomplished. If the government of the day cannot have any bills passed, that is because THERE IS NO CONFIDENCE LEFT IN THE GOVERNMENT.
If that is the case, the Government should resign and a Writ is dropped for the next election.
Canadians need to take on this. Write to your member of Parliament. Here how to find out who your MP is (based on your postal code):http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Compilations/HouseOfCommons/MemberByPostalCode.aspx?Menu=HOC
The message you need to send is simple:
HAVE PM STEPHEN HARPER ALLOW A VOTE
Monday, December 1, 2008
More fun than a barrel of ... politicians???
Just thought you'd like to know a couple of things ... this is a really important week in politics.
Stephen Harper tabled a financial package that was internally inconsistent. (We are doing things to create economic stimulus, but we Conservatives don't run the market; its not our job to stimulate the economy. We did stimulate the economy, but it didn't work; Canada is in a recession, but its not our fault and we are not going to do anything to help, except cut opposition funding, so no one can keep us accountable, and eliminate the right to strike for civil servants).
In the next week, you are going to hear that Stephen Harper was elected as Prime Minister, and that his party is the rightful leader of Canada. In fact, he got fewer seats in this last election, and his minority government was NOT given a mandate by the people of Canada. IN FACT, only 38% of the vote went to the Conservatives. Almost 2/3's of Canadians voted for the OPPOSITION PARTIES!!!!
I know you think I rant and rave a lot. I do. Its because I care what happens. I want you to care what happens too. This is Canada, where politics is still FUN!!!
Stephen Harper tabled a financial package that was internally inconsistent. (We are doing things to create economic stimulus, but we Conservatives don't run the market; its not our job to stimulate the economy. We did stimulate the economy, but it didn't work; Canada is in a recession, but its not our fault and we are not going to do anything to help, except cut opposition funding, so no one can keep us accountable, and eliminate the right to strike for civil servants).
In the next week, you are going to hear that Stephen Harper was elected as Prime Minister, and that his party is the rightful leader of Canada. In fact, he got fewer seats in this last election, and his minority government was NOT given a mandate by the people of Canada. IN FACT, only 38% of the vote went to the Conservatives. Almost 2/3's of Canadians voted for the OPPOSITION PARTIES!!!!
I know you think I rant and rave a lot. I do. Its because I care what happens. I want you to care what happens too. This is Canada, where politics is still FUN!!!
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