The Race is on...Again
It seems to me that just yesterday the world was celebrating the election of the first African American born President in the history of the United States of America, but apparently the Democrats and Republicans have already had rallys in anticipation of the next election. In fact candidates begin primaries nearly a year before the next election. On top of this we need to take into account the fact that for a candidate to have any chance of surviving the primary race until its final confrontation at their parties prospective rally, they will need to campaign to gain support. With only four years in between each presidential election and nearly two years spent campaigning just to have the chance to run for president, it's any ones guess how any work gets done. A point shared by the likes of Comedy Central's Jon Stewart and Fox News opinion anchor Bill O'Reilly during a 2011 debate on foxnewsinsider.com (http://foxnewsinsider.com/2011/05/17/unedited-video-jon-stewart-vs-bill-oreilly-on-common-controversy/, skip to 20:25 of video)Although the Canadian system is filled with many of its own problems (we'll save those for another day) this is a topic where I believe Canada's got it right. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. There is no need to have an election every four years if the party and leader in charge are satisfying the majority of the public. In Canada an election is called when someone believes they have the support of the public to invoke a change, just the way Stephen Harper and the Conservatives called the most recent election to gain a majority. So to the USA I say, take a lesson from your neighbours to the north. Spend less time campaigning and more time governing.
I may be misinterpreting the true time spent campaigning between Canada and the US because of the heavy media presence not felt from Canadian media, but their is no doubt that a four year electoral system forces politicians to campaign when there may be no need.
I just wanted to point out that a federal election in Canada must be held at least once every five years. We do not have a set date to hold an election, as apposed to the USA which holds one every fourth November (unless a rare circumstance occurs such as an impeachment). The fact remains the prime Minister can call an election at any time,but must do so before the 5th year.
ReplyDeleteNot to be a stickler for details, but it is actually every four years. The PM can ask the Governer General to dissolve parliament before then at her discretion and force a new election, or a minority party can be defeated in a non-confidence vote in the House of Commons and force an election as well. There are more minor details, I'm sure, but this is the simplest reliable info that I could find. http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Docid=2475836&file=4
ReplyDeleteYou make a very good point, Ian, and although the mainstream media may mention how much each candidate has raised through contributions, it doesn't talk much about how that money is spent, or the fact that elections are a great stimulator of the economy. The population spends two years talking about how much better things will be once "their guy" gets into power, and then two years complaining about the people they elected. There is definitely more there than meets the eye.
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