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July 9, 7:05 a.m. - It's Eye Candy Time!!
The time for another provincial election? It was not hard to
tell as the current government began its spending spree.
It will be another four years of austerity before the cycle repeats
itself. With the exception being, of course, the taxpayer’s
funds slated for those who have provided loyal support to the
soon-to-be elected government.
I have balanced the fence between Liberal and Conservative for
years, hoping that whoever was elected would put a stop to the
political underground economy which feeds one party and their
supporters or the other.
Hoping the realization would come, that restructuring all publicly
funded departments from the ground up, is required now!
I find the Conservatives unable to address the needs and desires
of Nova Scotians. I find the Liberals lacking in depth. In both
parties, I have a hard time finding an original, creative idea.
Perhaps this election, I may consider the NDP. I believe their
seven key commitments are a good beginning. But like most voters,
I want a commitment to a deeper vision. I have even gone so far
as to e-mail the following suggestions to the NDP party. Sadly,
no reply!
- Legislation for three weeks vacation after the first year
of service, with four weeks after five years of service. Vacations
to be capped at four weeks.
- Removal of the law preventing Sunday shopping, allowing the
public’s demands dictate whether or not stores are opened
on Sunday. Protection for employees, so that they are not forced
to work Sundays must also be included.
- Expanding items five and six of their plan, to include the
restructuring of the education system. Compressing and redesigning
university degrees to reflect the current needs and costs to
students. Three/four years of a degree in addition to four years
of medical school should not be required for assessing illness,
performing routine tests, and writing prescriptions for easily
identifiable illnesses. A three-year triage degree (10 months
per year) would go a long way to screen patients and lower some
health care costs in rural and major centres. This can be applied
across all currently offered programs at universities. We are
paying for a very generic education, when the need must be specific
in order to lower costs. Also, working with the teachers’
union to hold those teachers accountable (we’ve all had
at least two or three who are unable to teach). Every year in
a child’s educational life is crucial. We must protect
our children’s education and not that of teachers who
should not be in the classroom!
- Legislation regarding foreign ownership of Nova Scotia’s
land (particularly ocean-front property) should also be introduced.
Focusing on large increases on property taxes (as well as deed
transfer tax) for anyone who does not live in Nova Scotia for
a minimum six months per year.
I feel that these additional issues, if pursued by the NDP, would
guarantee a majority victory in the next election. It is time
to change the way politics has misdirected the future for Nova
Scotia. If the NDP is a ‘party of the people’, all
of these suggestions would benefit the people of Nova Scotia as
well as setting the bar for other provinces and Canada itself!
Alas, I may have to settle once again with the party that will
not do what I would like, but at least will do the least damage!
- George Shears
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