Comments on: The House: Further reading

By: John.K

John.K — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 20:43:12 +0000

In 1994, Republican members of the California Assembly refused to show up for floor sessions in an effort to prevent Democrats from electing Willie Brown as speaker with less than a majority vote.

By: Dennis_F

Dennis_F — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:44:19 +0000

I think Parliament has always had its ups and downs, but has a party ever decided to literally run away from our legislature because it wasn't getting its way? http://www.indystar.com/article/20110222/NEWS/110... But some people only seem to care about these things when it's conservatives who are in power.

By: tobyornotoby

tobyornotoby — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 17:56:24 +0000

I don't mean to be argumentative, and I do wish that Canadians cared more, but I'm pretty sure that apathy is an effect rather than a cause. I think apathy is induced when Canadians feel like their voice or vote or donation doesn't matter and we feel powerless to change anything about the way our system of governance is structured and operates.

The threshold for meaningful involvement is so very high that most people can't see themselves having an impact. Can we blame them if they feel unable to make or support change when educated and articulate elected MPs and even cabinet ministers are politically impotent and utterly disregarded by the small group that actually makes decisions? (and I don't mean just in this government)

By: BCer in Mtl

BCer in Mtl — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 17:47:11 +0000

Sounds like an Oscars acceptance speech.

Has the music started playing?

Seriously though, very good article, it kind of did a reset on my perceptions of what parliament does.

By: Crit_Reasoning

Crit_Reasoning — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:56:20 +0000

Great job, Wherry!

By: bergkamp

bergkamp — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:35:14 +0000

I read your long aticle in the magazine over the weekend, Wherry, and thought it was terrific. Needed to be said. I find it amazing how many MPs are willing to turn themselves into lickspittles for $155,000 a year.

Canadians are incredibly apathetic when it comes to politics, if people cared more maybe we would have better class of pol.