REAL ISSUES AGAIN SIDESTEPPED

While the post-Christmas letdown for the last week of the year is a
tradition in this country, it may even be a little worse this time around.

That's because come January, we have to deal with a federal election.
The final three weeks of an election campaign that will see us
overwhelmed by vacant promises from the Liberals, Conservatives and
New Democrats.

Today, Canada faces a multitude of issues on many different fronts,
which require thought-out decisions leading us into the future. But
are we going to hear about any of that? No, and we are partly to
blame because the politicians know offering any solutions to those
issues that will impose short-term pain for long-term gain won't fly
with voters.

So don' t expect to hear a lot about the need for our federal
government to be more aggressive in tax cuts. Or how to find a better
means to address immigration where skilled workers who want to come
to this country and work are encouraged to do so,while minimizing
those who simply want to free-load off our social support systems. Or
about the need to finally address the legalization of marijuana, so
we can redirect our police resources towards other areas of crime,
not to mention end the illicit drug trade of pot in this country that
is generating millions in tax-free income.

Or what about what our country's vision will be in this century for
weeding ourselves off our reliance on oil in favour of alternative,
longer-term reliable sources of energy. Or how our country will deal
with the rising juggernaut economies of China and India, where
skilled high-tech workers and manufacturing jobs here in Canada will
be lost as a result.

Don't expect to hear much about these and other issues as the party
leaders will be content to play it safe in the hopes of securing
power and influence in the next minority government. We should demand
so much more.