I often hear people asking why there are no honest politicians. In fact, there are but we don't hear much about them and there certainly aren't enough of them.
Having entered the political arena myself, I have some idea why this is the case. It seems that many who enter the system with good intentions soon sucumb to the lowest common denominator in order to survive politically. Those who will not stoop to this level soon bail out rather than compromise or have their reputation trashed by their opponents.
Lately, I too have had to seriously consider packing it in on politics due to the unethical actions of a handful of people. Unless you've been under a rock since May, you know that I have spent my summer defending myself against distorted facts and unethical behavior by some individuals - including some in the media - regarding a charge against me.
When yesterday the Crown threw out the charge against me but the Sun Times still printed an article implying my guilt, it left me again wondering if my work here for this region is worth the abuse it has drawn.
What is it that makes people feel so threatened by someone like myself who is simply working for positive change? What makes people attack their others with different ideas instead of trying to understand them? Is it that some people just can't accept the truth? Maybe they can't admit that they were wrong? Or maybe it's pure selfishness. Do I threaten someone's financial interest? In the case of the Sun Times, is it just a crass attempt to sell more papers?
I don't know the answers to these questions but I'm putting all attackers on notice that I am not going away. I often think about my kids and whether they will get caught in the crossfire. At the end of the day I have faith that they will commend me for not giving up; for fighting for a better future for them.
If you're wondering why politicians and others looking for unethical advantage throw mud, it's because mud sticks. The recent behavior and subsequent result of the recent federal election is proof of this.
I however think that at the core of it, you, the citizens of Ontario and Bruce/Grey are smarter than that. That's why I'm sticking around. Prove me correct.
Comments
So far as I recall, you
So far as I recall, you admitted to making a mistake, and yes that probably should have been the end of the matter. For someone in the public eye, however, it seldom is. Yes, the media loves a scandal; it gets attention, and many contemporary news businesses are quite happy to inflate both the significance and the severity of a matter in order to keep themselves well-supplied with scandal, fear and intrigue with a minimum of journalistic effort. You may have noticed a change in the evening news over the course of the past decade, moving from anchors relating strict facts about world events to colour commentators relating their opinions on matters of questionable importance. The media as we know it is no longer a safe or reliable source of relevant information.
Another unfortunate change we've seen in the past ten or so years is the Americanization of our political forum. Where once the parties which govern this nation stated their case via political platforms, this has largely been replaced with disgraceful smear campaigns. I, as a voter, am disgusted and dismayed that our civil service has reduced the importance of our decision making processes to the level of grade school bullying (I'm none too happy about the proliferation of message-free election campaign signs littering every roadside either, but that's another can of worms).
That being said, you did make a mistake, and sadly it was the kind of mistake which often results in the end of a political career. There are probably things which can be done to patch that up, but maligning those that you feel have wronged you is almost certainly not one of them - it could give the impression that you are unwilling to accept responsibility for your actions. The buck stops here, right? That's how you gain respect back. Try something positive. Push for more effective local use of existing anti-theft measures for bicycles, or utilize your business to create a new theft deterrent. Come back to your goof, and make good on it with a different approach and some results. That's the kind of leadership we need in Canada right now, and one can only hope that the voting population knows that in their bones.
Well said Mike. I absolutely
Well said Mike. I absolutely agree that proactive leadership is sorely lacking and I am privileged to be in a position to help remedy this. Regarding the theft problem, I have spoken recently to members of the Owen Sound police regarding how to curb this problem effectively and will be pursuing that further before the new season begins in the spring.
I must, however, clarify a few misconceptions that seem to have emerged in your response. First, I don't think anyone ever lost a political "career" for being on someone's front lawn, nor should they. The criminal charge against me was thrown out for good reason. There was no criminal activity or intent. I plead guilty to a provincial trespass charge which is of equal seriousness to a traffic ticket. The press tried to make it look like I got probation on the criminal charge, which is false.
Please note that I have not named the names of the handful of malicious people who failed in their attempt to force me out of community service. They are sad, fragmented individuals who need help. I have no intention of exposing them unless they persist in spreading falsehoods.
I have learned that, unfortunately, I will make enemies simply by virtue of my ideas, and my willingness to point out uncomfortable truths. My intention, as far as it depends on me, is to live in peace with all.