It might seem like cheering on a certain political party is exciting and fun, something like cheering on your favorite hockey team, and it might even make some people feel like they belong and give them a sense of team spirit but in actual fact party politics is a very bad system of governance and can easily lead to bribery, corruption, kick backs and worse, as we have already seen. Now think about all the time wasted during parliamentary debates while one party tries to berate another for their past or present mistakes. Last December Prime Minister Stephen Harper decided to prorogue government and a coalition was almost formed. So what happened next? Canada's leaders decided to take a recess. I believe that was bad timing considering the world was in the initial stages of a global meltdown. The whole December episode can be attributed to party style politics. Canadians were very lucky the global crisis didn't turn out far worse than it did. A much better, perhaps less flashy political system, would be comprised entirely of independent members who could vote their own conscience and not have to follow strick party guidelines.

A system comprised entirely of independent members would make a lot more sense and would eliminate the need for the party based system. It would be a refreshing sight to see, not to mention much more productive, without the constant flurry of insults being thrown back and forth across the house floor. That isn't to say there wouldn't still be a few bad apples but the good old boys club would be gone thank god. Candidates for leadership could be chosen from among the more popular members who could run for Prime Minister. The people would still have a vote. There would be no more team to cheer on but perhaps we could all cheer about a better life style, more jobs for the unemployed and less corruption in government. It's a well known fact that if a party member doesn't toe the party line they're swiftly kicked out on their rear without so much as a thank you or goodbye. What this country really needs most is free independent thinking individuals running government. Not a bunch of yes men. It would be a nice change to see a few honest MP's switch to independent and a few more new candidates entering the race the next time an election rolls around. Pass it on if you agree.

Ted McKeown – NBTV – August 4, 2009 - Revised August 26, 2009

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