Sometimes There is Good News - Harper Promises to Get Tougher on Criminals.

The splashy headline aside, the news that Harper wants to pass laws making it more difficult for liberal judges to go easy on multiple offenders is good news.  What some Canadians don't realize though is that he can only do these types of things IF he gets a majority government.  As a minority government leader he has been unable to introduce law changing bills because without a majority the Liberals veto every effort.  Without a majority he must cater to those in opposition that don't want tougher penalties for criminals.  That said, not all Liberals want to veto laws that punish offenders, its just their job as opposition.  That is why in Canada when there is a minority government, nothing gets done, we don't move forward, we only tread water. 

Harper:

"Our Government has made standing up for victims of crime a priority," Harper said. "A re-elected Conservative Government will build on our accomplishments in this critically important area to ensure all Canadians feel safer in their communities."

The good news though is that someone in power is making a promise to get tough on criminals.  That someone is willing to stand up for victims and pass laws that will force judges to impose stiffer sentences.  The struggle now for every citizen in Canada concerned about the level of Crime is to keep the pressure on our leaders to ensure that they follow through with their promises by writing emails, letters etc.  Some promises cannot be allowed to be broken.

Apathy,It's the Government's Fault

I came across a TED video of Dave Meslin on the Crime Analyst's Blog and I found it very interesting and timely considering our current election fever, or lack there of.   I encourage you to go to the Crime Analyst's Blog and check it out.  In the video Mr. Meslin has uncovered why Canadians are so Apathetic and guess what, it's not our fault. 

Apathy is a huge issue in Canadian electoral politics and one that should be fixed.  The question is how, have you ever watched a parliamentary debate?  Not the stuff of action movies.  There has to be something to make the process more interesting to the general public.  Maybe a musical number?  We've seen our Prime Minister sing and dance, now let's see his cabinet.  Oh ya they tend to do that in front of the media's camera's outside Parliament when explaining their actions, or lack there of, inside.  Ignatiff probably would sing, if he ever showed up for work. 

Our taxes are high, crime is high, health care is at an all time low, social services are struggling, and education has been cut back so much there is almost no need for kids to attend.  What is it going to take for Canadians to care enough to get involved, to say something, to jump up and down stomp their feet and say enough is enough - it's time for a change.

Unfortunately no time soon.  As long as our electoral process remains the same, as long as regions continue to be under represented, and as long as voters feel powerless - Apathy will continue to plague our country.  Will Vote Mobs work? We tried a new party to stew the pot - remember the Reform Party - but that didn't work.  What has to happen for Canadians to feel that their vote matters enough to turn up to the polling station?