Why we should care about the lies they tell
Anyone who’s seen the show Pretty Little Liars knows that in every episode, one question is answered and about five more are created. Just when you think you have all the information and understand what’s going on, something else pops up and it’s chaos again. Almost none of the characters are who we think they are, and we’re constantly learning about their shady pasts. The ones that are innocent are often the ones who get hurt the most, and those causing harm often escape any true punishment.
Sound familiar? It should, because on many days this is very similar to the current Canadian political landscape.
In Canada, we like to think of ourselves as a free, open, and safe country – and for the most part, we are, and for that, we should be very thankful. However, that doesn’t mean our politicians should be off the hook for their misbehaviour. The problem in dealing with corrupt, laissez-faire, or bad politicians lies in three main factors: our unwillingness to actively address their indiscretions; our lack of power in doing so, and primarily, our inability to even acknowledge these shortcomings. The latter arises from the prominent secrecy seeping through our Parliament Hill, Queen’s Park, and even local City Halls.
Parties are always touting (usually around campaign season, conveniently) a more “open and transparent” government. But like most platform promises, this talk of transparency fades away as quickly as the polling stations disassemble, and the constituency is left with the same old secret-keeping, truth-hiding government mentality they had before casting their votes. I’m not sure whether we allow this to happen because we actually believe things will change this time, we feel there’s nothing we can do, or we think it’s easier to pretend it doesn’t even happen. The former is naive, the latter is irresponsible, and believing we have no power is just dangerous.
Better lock it in your pocket, taking this one to the grave.
Whether it’s the Senate scandal of upper chamber elites who evaluate complicated legislation but don’t understand the rules of defining where they live, provincial geniuses who choose to construct an expensive gas plant and pay for its phantom presence to garner a few extra votes, or power-hungry mayors with a penchant for white powders, there is a lot to be cynical about in regards to the current state of Canadian politics. However, as a young person who believes it isn’t yet too late, I recognize that being cynical will do nothing to make the positive changes that are needed.
If I show you then I know you won’t tell what I said.
First and foremost, we can’t do anything if we aren’t informed. That means you – yes, YOU – have a civic duty to educate yourself at least on the basics. Familiarize yourself with campaign platforms and vote accordingly. Don’t be swayed by tempting offers without knowing the details, because as your mother always told you, if it seems to be too good to be true, it probably is. Secondly, realize that what politicians present and what they actually have on their agendas are often two very different things, just as what you see in a McDonald’s commercial and what you get at the drive-through are rarely equivalent. Thirdly, hold politicians accountable. They love to keep secrets, and love even more to pretend they didn’t know about the secrets of others.
Finally, you must react. Secrets are powerful because they keep people in the dark until they explode, upon which someone always feigns ignorance or attempts to justify the secret keeping by whatever means possible. But no explanation or pretend innocence will protect taxpayers’ money, maintain the integrity of our system, or prevent exploitation of the power politicians possess. When something does happen (and things always do), we are responsible for ensuring that those who were responsible are held accountable. It is our duty to write letters, take action, discuss with others, and demand retributions where appropriate. Sadly, for many of these politicians, the only way they will stop their abuses is if the risk of penalty outweighs the pleasure of reward. Even then, they are sometimes selfish enough to take the gamble. Let’s make it not worth it.
Because two can keep a secret if one of them is dead.
Okay, so we don’t want anyone to die over secrets like they do on Pretty Little Liars. But we can’t allow a system to run where our politicians thrive on the secrets they keep, either. So, the aim here should be this: if our ‘representatives’ decide that keeping secrets for their own benefit is more important that serving their electors, then we as a voting public should decide to kill their political careers.