Dateline March 2023:

Today’s federal political commentary is centred on foreign government interference in our elections.  Claims are everywhere in the media that Prime Minister Trudeau was warned about China’s meddling in our elections but did nothing!

Deep down that news gives me a mix of frustration and sadness.  How could any Canadian politician knowingly abide by activities from a foreign entity that would undercut our democracy?  If the allegations are true, does the Prime Minister even sleep at night?  What explains that behaviour?

A book written in 1513 explains what seems to be the core issue!  Imagine that — the human heart and psychology have not changed in 500+ years.  Everything old is new again.

Renaissance writer predicts the future

I am speaking about Machiavelli’s The Prince, an instruction manual of sorts.  A key theme he explores is the work a leader should do to ensure he keeps power.  (spoiler alert: the ends justify the means).  Here’s a quote: A prince (leader) who wants to keep his authority must learn how not to be good and use that knowledge … as necessity requires.   Immoral activities are considered useful if the leader looks strong and survives.

What makes me sad is that Canadian political parties live this out in day-to-day decision making.   Today the prime example is the Liberal Party of Canada. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-poilievre-trudeau-public-inquiry-china-foreign-interference/ Liberal Members of Parliament and supporters are all rallying around the leader to protect him and serve the leader’s interests.  He refuses to answer point-blank questions and his MPs are instructed to freeze parliament committees from doing their job.  So the sum result is the Prime Minister can do anything he feels necessary to keep power including allowing foreign government activities designed to support his party.

As long as there are political gains to be made, then concerns of principle and ethics can be thrown away!

Let me be very clear — this does not serve the country…it only makes people increasingly cynical and it is destructive to our democracy

True leadership is practised as a service to others.   Citizens need confidence that those in power are not just serving themselves.  Leaders need to uphold the common good.

The party system has truly failed us.  The leader-centric focus of the political parties in Canada marginalizes all other representatives and leads to the worst of Machiavellian instincts and actions.

The Italian Renaissance authour’s words ring in my ears: A prince (leader) never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promises.  

Are we doomed in a time loop of repeatable problems?  No!

I have a solution.

Bring accountability back to Parliament.  Reject the political parties’ practices.

Elect an independent with integrity and rejuvenate democracy!