"The Spark"

A lot of you may wonder how I come up with the ideas for these videos.

I’ll be honest, after completing every video and posting it to the website, I often wonder if "that’s it"; will I ever come up with another idea?

 
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For many of my videos, the "spark" occurs during mundane housework or chores. In fact, the moments of greatest inspiration for me, by far, have been during my Sunday morning ironing sessions!

Of course, you have to know that there’s a political angle to the title of this video: "The Spark".

Just how might direct democracy, the fundamental principle of the Democracy Party of Canada, ever come into being in Canada when it’s going to encounter so much obstruction from the current political class, interest groups, and even some voters who are hesitant when it comes to change?

What will be "the spark" that transforms politics in this country and brings real power to the people?

Today’s minority government situation will probably continue for a while, through many elections, thanks to Canadians’ diverse political views. Some complain about minority governments, but I see opportunity.

Despite the threats of a general election tossed to and fro’ by our partisan politicians in Ottawa, none of the political parties can expect to gain much in any new vote. Politicians are always jockeying for advantage, hoping to be the masters of their destiny and trigger elections, only when they want one, hoping to improve their numeric advantage in the House of Commons.

But what if an all-consuming issue came along that could "spark" a confidence motion or vote that might force an election when the politicians really don’t want one? What if, instead, the government could be convinced to throw the issue to the people – to hold a referendum on it?

This issue might be one that hoists itself on the country as the result of a court ruling out of the blue, or a new foreign military engagement, or terrorism or some natural or economic calamity.

It may be an issue that no party wants to touch. It may be one that politicians know Canadians will be utterly unprepared to see decided by unelected judges – like legalizing marijuana, prostitution, euthanasia and so on.

Still, to come to the proper and democratic decision to let ordinary Canadians vote on the issue, considerable pressure will have to be brought to bear on our elected politicians. They are, after all, awfully used to thinking that only they are able or qualified to make big decisions.

No doubt, interest groups and experts will wade in with their intimidation and advice. But I think we need, and I hope we’ll have, at least one person "on the inside" advocating for direct democracy, and that’s the reason for this Party. I hope this solitary Member of Parliament is from the Democracy Party of Canada. We are the only ones talking about this stuff, after all!

Our one democratic reform M.P. could lead the way in pushing the government on side. Minority government always has self-preservation on its mind, and if this issue is divisive enough, it may be very easy to convince the government to dare the opposition parties to vote against them in denying democracy to the people in this context.

Now, the issue will have been dealt with, and the minority government, and life, will go on. But do you know what might happen next – and this is the "real" spark – Canadians may very well say, "hey, that was easy" or "hey, that worked out pretty well".

Then – and this is what the current political class and interest groups fear the most – then, Canadians may start to look beyond the issue of the referendum they just had and say, "hey, what about the environment?" Or, what about Afghanistan? Or, what about poverty? Or, what about the money – our taxes and their waste and misallocation?

Most of all – I hope – it’ll be "what about the money"?

Because for me – and I think this will be the big selling point for direct democracy to Canadians – "our money" is what direct democracy is really all about. It’s about a fairer way to control how our $250 billion a year in "taxes" is spent by those who think …

I believe that the preceding scenario will be far more attainable when at least a single, solitary Member of Parliament is in the House to advocate for direct democracy on behalf of Canadians.

Once in the House of Commons, I recognize that it’ll be a lonely struggle against the other Parties, but as I described here, someday there will be a "spark". It’ll be an issue that transcends partisan politics and engages Canadians at a gut level, and you won’t want the official reaction to be all about who’s the best party to lead us through the issue, or right wing vs. left wing.

It will all be so much better if somebody is right there in Parliament to remind all the rest that there is another, more democratic option: A direct vote by Canadians.

I’m looking forward to it!