Feature Article January 22, 2003
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DepreciationIt is very depressing how my provincial vote has depreciated. Over the past 3 years the worth of my vote has plummeted like the stock market. The purchase price previous to the last election was $200, mailed out to Ontario citizens by the government of the day for our astuteness in electing a Conservative government. Was it was purely coincidental that it was distributed just before an election?
The other day every Hydro One customer received $75 rebate and lo and behold another election is coming within a year. Why has the value of my vote dropped 62 percent - even a bigger drop considering that the cheque was mailed to only one citizen per household? I understand that issuing those cheques cost Ontario taxpayers $335 million in addition to the approximately $110 million monthly loss the government incurred by capping hydro rates at 4.3 per kilowatt hour for consumers and small businesses. Many of us, facing dramatic increases in hydro bills, were planning to conserve electricity, but now the money saving incentive is gone. Human nature has a tendency not to conserve unless it means immediate money in our pockets, and not long-term gains. We tend not to look too far ahead, sometimes not even the three to four years most governments scheme between elections, but they do set a great example in short term planning!
I don't think I am over-cynical about governments when they so obviously try to buy our votes with our own money and so lavishly reward their party contributors.
Actions of both the provincial and federal governments tend to add to this cynicism. Provincial examples are the sale/non-sale of Ontario Hydro and the privatizing and loss of revenue from Electronic Toll Road 407. The federal gun registry fiasco and the leadership confusion in all three federal parties are other examples of dealings that would force the bankruptcy of a private business and the immediate firing of its CEO.
It is impossible for the ordinary taxpayer to influence provincial and federal governments until damage is done and we can change the governing political party in an election. Even that is difficult unless a minority government is in power and the opposition parties are lean and organized with inspiring leadership, a situation that certainly does not exist at present.
There is some hope of redemption. Municipal governments will be renewed next November and already some of our local politicians are declaring their intentions to run or not run. Here we have some influence, as heavily financed party politics is not a factor unless a candidate is using a school board or a municipality as a step towards greater ambitions.
In our rural municipalities I would like to think that candidates are conscientious fellow citizens who feel they have a contribution to make and are willing to accept the personal sacrifices needed to serve on our councils. The responsibilities can be onerous, thankless and unappreciated but we know our neighbour candidates and we will have good municipal governments as long as we participate, encourage and monitor.
Hopefully by electing inspired and good local government we can counter the depressing news reports of the provincial and federal governments and maintain some hope for democracy at the grass roots level.
