POLITICS AS USUAL: Get the job done!

October 9, 2013 · 0 Comments

By Alison Collins-Mrakas

Politics has become a he said, he said and – judging by the percentage of female politicians – occasionally a she said game where murky verbiage takes precedence over straight forward, plain truths.
Most of us say that we want the truth from our politicians, but few of us actually expect to get it. Positive and negative stories alike are soon engulfed by the pervasive cynicism within which the realm of politics is mired. Many simply tune it all out.
The belief that politicians are never telling the truth is arguably the most commonly held position of the voting public. As Chris Selley (National Post) aptly stated in his column this week, “politics is not, in fact, a truth telling contest.” That’s true. But it shouldn’t be.
Political positions seem reactive, not proactive as if driven more by scandal – or self interest – than by clear policy. And it is wearying. Especially so, since a significant portion of what passes for scandal is nothing more than trumped up nonsense. That after bypassing the scorching headlines – say for the alleged abuse of spending policies – one gets to the alleged meat of the allegation, only to find just a single expensed case of beer there. But I digress.
Real scandals, real outrage gets tangled up in, or lost, amidst the manufactured rage of those trying to score political points.
In our 24-hour news cycle, we are treated to a near constant stream of red-faced politicians huffing and puffing, scoring points and counterpoints in well orchestrated photo ops, or tapping away inanities on their twitter feeds as the case may be.
The twitterverse in particular seems to be the favourite haunt for those politicos that prefer the politics of innuendo. No need for substance. No need for facts. Just a virtual world drive by smear – in 140 characters or less. I think it is pathetic.
There are real issues that need to be addressed. There are real people struggling in our community. There are real problems that need resolution at the provincial, regional and more importantly – at the municipal level.
But, that requires real work and real attention to more mundane municipal matters. Focus has been fractured and, as a result, those banging the drum the loudest get the most attention of our elected officials regardless of the relative importance, or lack thereof, of the supposed issue.
We see the same non-issues dominate agendas while more important matters get short shrift. At the local level, we see literally years of council agendas wasted on grandiosities when what we need are our roads paved, our bridges repaired and our balance sheet healthy.
The solution is rather simple: those elected to govern on our behalf need to be reminded that they work for us. So, leave aside the pursuit of shiny toys, ignore the loud nimbyists and do what you were elected to do – your job!
Until next week, stay informed, stay involved because this is after all, Our Town.