There is little trust in the honesty and efficiency of public officials.
Why-- it's rasy to read about the rip-offs and glaring mistakes we all read about almost daily.
How can we better the situation- try caring a bit more- call your local representative and keep up to date on issues. Ask to be involved or at least be aware of issues prior to them being voted on
The public is at least as smart as their representatives if not a lot more intelligent. Put pressure on officials to open up and make issues and meetings open to the public
The system can be made better- don't just complain- get involved
Peace
Comments
alex - June 16, 2004 10:38 pm
I'm still an optimist and a believer in those pursuing public office, or working for the public service. Recent media controversies just prove to me that it's still a case of "the minority getting the most publicity"... I mean look at adscam ~$200 million out of how many billions in the annual budget of the federal government (probably $40-80+ billion). It's not much when you look at that. I'm glad they caught it though - I'm p-o'd at the party which let it happen on their watch - but it doesn't dampen my optimism.
What I would like to see is all governments open to the media - nobody should have to apply and/or pay for FOIA. Likewise no parliament, legislature, coucil - committee or debate - should be in-camera. The other thing is that video coverage of these bodies should cease. If people want to listen on radio or the internet, fine - or they can read about it in the papers. Video just makes for sound-byte politics and should be removed. Our quality of debate in the past 2-3 decades has gone steadily downward as a result.
John Morris - August 14, 2004 1:39 am
Island Police suck (including Charlottetown) and after all these crackdowns we have yet to see any improvement. At first (with speeding) it was, oh a crackdown, make it sound like something that will actually happen.... couple weeks later I doubt that crack down had even 1 extra speeder ticketed....... then the crackdown on j-walkers, other day I j-walked in front of 2 city police neither one said a word (back during this "crackdown" I did the same thing but in front of one cop, was I charged or fined? no) and finally a crackdown on speeders again and I'll place a bet with anyone saying this crackdown is nothing but press releases (for future support from voters possibly) and hype (from the media). Bottom line is, these crackdowns are a joke. You can crack down all you want on people but if the enforcers are being slack then whats the point when they are probably too slack to enforce these new "crackdowns". Perhaps a crackdown on the attitude/efficiency of the CPD would be best.
*yawn* time to drive home exhausted.