Another short-sighted blunder by the Conservative senate: They have quashed a bill which would protect former Nortel workers' disability benefits. The neoconservative attack on our social safety net marches on.

Remember the main tenet of neocon ideology: Lie to the sheep, because they don't know what's good for them. Give the power to the elite, because they know how to use it. Don't help those who fall behind, because they are just drains on our society.

Look around and see how well that is working in the US - poverty, ignorance, violence. This is not a coincidence.

The political culture in Canada is largely based upon short-term problems and solutions. Elections are won and lost on the issue of taxes. Taxes are slashed by one party, and debts soar, social programs crumble, and the costs of society go up. Taxes are raised by other parties, and the holes are plugged, but there is no real progress.

We need a generation of politicians and administrators who are willing to look at the long-term health of the economy. It will be unpopular amoung people who are socialized to expect rapid "solutions" from government which only lead to more long-term problems. There are no simple issues - anyone who tells you differently is either lying or foolish. The economy of our society is a hugely complex dynamic system, being managed by people who either do not understand it, or wish to turn it into something else.

This year, we will likely see a federal election, and will certainly see a provincial one. As you are entertaining door-knocking hopefuls, be wary of those who try and sell you simple ideas and quick fixes. I believe it is time to make some progress.

-Jay Stapleton