Yet a few others, the independent thinkers of society, are becoming increasingly concerned about the ongoing trend of socio-econo-fiscal degradation that is deeply affecting the middle class, (a.k.a. working class) and they are searching for its causes. In doing so, they wonder if the causes are systemic and note that:
- While there are rigorous prerequisites for getting and keeping a blue-collar, or a white-collar job, there are practically no requirements for becoming an MPP candidate, beyond the point of unquestionable loyalty to the party. Once elected into the Legislative Assembly, some of the MPPs of the winning party will be appointed to one or more Cabinet posts during their tenure to manage the affairs of millions. Although these decision-makers are assisted by armies of specialists, they frequently appear to produce amateurish, or outright reckless, and crippling results.
- This previously described model of governance, hallmarked by some of its MPP's background deficiencies, further complicates the situation for at least five reasons:
- One is that, in theory, responsibility as a managerial function is non-transferable. That is to say that, lack of proficiency should not excuse offhand, let alone irrational decisions. In this context one can cite the following typical examples:
- While the Ontario Government has recently offered a corporation a six-digit figure bonus for every job it is willing to create -- to the tune of $120 million -- it had ignored various, validated, potentially election-winning proposals, that could have alleviated even the entire country's socio-econo-fiscal problems.
- Cases, when major "bread-and-butter" issues, such as the latest rate of "minimum wage" were hastily decided on, at seemingly staged, election-campaign style, back-alley gatherings by a few misinformed individuals, and/or lobbyists, without presenting a single piece of evidence to support their claim.
- Two is that, once a political party is in power, the system is legally enabled to table and mete out punitive laws and measures against the interests of even the plurality of society, such as the working class, or any other group for that matter.
- Three is that, besides not knowing how to resolve major socio-econo-fiscal problems, blatantly ignoring the warning notes of those who are veritably in the know, is an entirely different and inexcusable matter. History books refer to such acts as political gamesmanship, with potentially scandalous and catastrophic consequences.
- Four is that, while the present protocol allows direct access for lobbyists to Cabinet members, these same rules block independent researchers and validated problem solvers from even contacting backbenchers. Some might also say that this raises the issues of how this 21st century representative democracy really does work? And if it does, for whom?
- Five is that, being concerned about Ontario's Public Debt/GDP ratio, (presently at 40%) is understandable. Especially if one assumes, that "personal debts" and "public debts" are all the same. But, they are not! Personal debt sooner or later must be settled. In contrast, public (government) debt, just like business debt, due to a unique "multiplier effect", generates revenue. This revenue, in turn enables business and government debtors to repay their debts. By the way, almost all business and government debts are settled by using this age-old principle. Other methods, such as the lately applied austerity programs always lead to prolonged, serious socio-econo-fiscal and political breakdowns, from which the recovery can be very long and very messy.
- Since this election may result in a nearly equal, three-way split of votes, the prospects of replacing the current one party-based system of governance with an all-inclusive multiparty coalition government model, looks very promising – with many precedents around the world.
Subsequently, once an ensuing debate has settled, – over the myths about, "what does it take", "who is able", and/or "who deserves to be enabled, and at what cost" to create a healthy, resilient economy that would offer work and decent income for all – a thorough planning process should begin. This process should have the participation of qualified business and Labour representatives as equal partners, guided by a host of experienced, independent, interdisciplinary problem solvers in the know.
At the same time, the "new regime" should also reconsider several billion dollars in value of recommendations – presumably stored in the vault of two former Premier's Office, that includes a validated and potentially election-winning "Proposal for Full Employment Without Any Loss of Income" and several others.
After all, is it not time to shelve the current socio-econo-political dogma, manifested by, "winner takes all", "perish the loser", "nomadic", "cut and slash", "do away with minimum wage", etc. etc. MOs and related "austerity" policies that are not working for anyone, especially in the long run.
In fact, this social experiment, if successful, may be offered as a model for many other countries whose citizenry are struggling to devise a winning formula for "participatory" democracy.
Recommended Reading:
- The Economic Problem: Personal Debts and Public Debts (page 301) by Dr. R. Heilbroner, Professor of Economics; Prentice-Hall of Canada Ltd.
- Public Notice: The Economy is Not A "Zero-Sum Game"
- Raising the Minimum Wage: A Definite Win-Win
- "Europe's 'austerians' need a lesson in macroeconomics", by Christopher Ragan, Professor of Economics at McGill University -- The Globe and Mail, July 17, 2013
- "Canada finished the Second World War with public debt, equal to over 150% GDP", by Dr. Jim Stanford, Economist -- The Globe and Mail, October 16, 2013
- "In this country the vote is not the bottom line; bottom line is" -- by R. M. Gross
- "Money buys access; access buys influence" -- Elizabeth Drew, Talk Show Host
