WE NEED EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP
Take your pick: oil differential; the massive shortfall in downtown property taxes; another decision to halt another pipeline; the plebiscite loss for a 2026 Olympics bid; stubbornly high unemployment.
It seems awfully bleak around here, and for good reason. All these problems are real and crippling to workers, families and our morale.
Thank goodness the Stampeders are in the Grey Cup again and the Flames beat the Oilers on the weekend, otherwise, we’d be totally despondent.
But our serious issues aren’t going away with a couple of sports victories. They need solutions as soon as possible, and as soon as possible could actually mean years. On the bright side, all of these problems are self-inflicted.
The oil differential would be over if our federal governments had enacted legislation that is respectful, scientific and swift for the approval or disapproval of infrastructure projects. Instead, we’ve dragged out the process for political means, failed to create laws that don’t trip over the courts and fallen for token environmentalism.
Calgary’s downtown tax problem goes back to the dawn of civilization, when property became the source of wealth. Today, municipal taxes are still levied based on the value of property, not the ability to pay or the use of municipal services. No one is seriously suggesting we do anything differently. Why not?
And for that matter, why does it take three levels of government, composed of various political stripes, to procrastinate over decisions? Do we really need MPs, MLAs and
No one is seriously suggesting we do anything differently. Why not?
councillors, all representing the same people in a system invented several hundred years ago, to approve funding for a bridge or transit system or sporting event? Once again, no one is seriously thinking of new ways of decision-making. Why not?
Maybe we’re over-generalizing, but it seems the political right is frozen in fear of creating anything new and the political left is frozen in fear of offending the loudest voices. The faces change, but we’re still frozen.
And it’s not just Canada.
That political paralysis has led to cynicism, mistrust and anger in many jurisdictions. Voters are more likely to vote against politicians or issues than for them. Or, they vote for politicians who prey on fears and promise to fix everything.
A slim majority of Britons voted to leave Europe, and they’re still trying to figure it out. In an electoral college fluke, Americans voted for Donald Trump, and they’re still trying to figure him out. By 56 to 43 per cent, Calgarians dumped the Olympics, and we’re left trying to figure out how to replace or renovate aging sports facilities, not to mention the much more complex issue of revitalizing Calgary’s economy.
It’s bad enough that some politicians make up crises, such as the evils of immigration, but meanwhile, issues with no simple, sloganprone answers — such as mental health, poverty, road carnage, domestic violence, the environment and intolerance — get lip service.
Bottom line: we don’t care what political side our leaders are on if they’re effective leaders. They need to do their homework, make good decisions and stick with them. Show some brains. Don’t treat the symptoms, treat the problems.
We know it’s a long shot but forget the next election, polls and Twitter. Show some courage. Figure out the solution and then just do it.