Plutocracy is rule by the wealthy or power provided by wealth and let me tell you it's thriving here in Quebec. The name of the game is who do you know who's got the dough, and it don't matter how they got it whether it's the mafia, the construction unions, the Hells Angels or the Quebec Liberal Party.
In reality Quebec can be divided into two classes, the plutocrats who seem to be somewhat uncomfortable these days with all the accusations about money-stuffed envelopes being exchanged for favors, and the chumps whose tax dollars go to support the lifestyles of those who have direct access to the public purse.
Yesterday, the scene in the Quebec National Assembly was priceless. After surviving a non-confidence vote because Quebec retains a medieval electoral system that allows a political party to form a majority government with the support of less than 25% of the electorate, the members of Quebec Liberal Party stood up and gave Premier Jean Charest, who leads what is arguably the most corrupt provincial government in Canada, a standing ovation.
Way to go Jean! We get to keep our jobs and you get to fly off to Paris to see your buddy Sarkozy at taxpayers's expense.
Meanwhile, Quebecers continue to buy the newspapers that tell them that 3 out 4 people think the province is corrupt and that 8 out of 10 people have little or no confidence that Jean Charest will adequately address the problem of corruption.
Hey, if this state of affairs really pisses you off, you can go to the National Assembly website and sign a petition demanding that Charest resign and join the other 230,000 some odd chumps who think that somehow this futile gesture would have an effect.
In the end, don't worry, be happy. The chumps are apparently very happy with their lot.
Well, I'm proud to say that I participated in this futile act. Change starts with the demand for it. It's insufficient, but I think it will make a difference - and best of all, it makes me feel good!
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see what happens with the by-election... The PQ is not profiting from all the scandals as one would normally expect. Pauline Marois, who is in a delicate position, is looking to be saved by a short-term election. Unlikely... Electors have a very limited set of options right now.
Which is more futile, signing an on line petition asking the Premier to resign or voting in an election where my vote doesn't count? These are the choices?
ReplyDeleteNeither one makes me feel good. In fact, both leave me feeling kind of disgruntled.