RUSSIAN STYLE DEMOCRACY

RUSSIAN STYLE DEMOCRACY By Joe Ingino It is an election year. One would think that new candidates would know what they are doing. Recognize that time is not your friend and that **NO BUDGET** means NO chance at winning. In the so-called "FREE" world, we pride ourselves on championing democracy... a word that has as many meanings as "LOVE." Unfortunately, when it comes to politics, we are fed the belief that we have a choice and that democracy is an institution to preserve at all costs. In reality, democracy, by definition, is a system of government where political power is vested in the people, who exercise it either directly or through elected representatives. It is characterized by the rule of the majority, protection of fundamental human rights, and free and fair periodic elections. **Core Principles** Modern democratic systems, such as Canada's parliamentary democracy, rely on specific essential elements to ensure that all citizens are treated equally. * Citizen Participation: The right and responsibility of citizens to vote in elections and engage in political life. * Rule of Law: The principle that all citizens, including leaders and government officials, are equal under the law. * Individual Liberties: Guaranteed civil freedoms, such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly. **Types of Democracy** Representative Democracy: Citizens elect officials to make laws and govern on their behalf (e.g., Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom). Direct Democracy: Citizens participate directly in making laws and public policies themselves, without intermediaries (e.g., ballot initiatives in certain jurisdictions). On the surface, what a great tool to control the masses. Give them the perception that they have choice and involvement. Look at the communist system. They like to think they also practice a form of democracy. Historically, Russia's transition to democracy following the 1991 Soviet collapse faltered due to a weak institutional foundation, economic instability, and the rapid rise of an influential oligarch class. Under Putin, the political system evolved, with the Kremlin officially promoting a framework sometimes termed "sovereign democracy," which combines democratic institutions with strict central control. Practically, you can vote, but do you really have a choice? Or, to make it look legitimate... one choice. You laugh. Look at what is taking place in Oshawa alone. In Oshawa, for example, we have six registered candidates. Three of them are current council members. Do the voters have a real choice? Three candidates who are only in it for the pay increase. I say this with such confidence because what have these three scoundrels done during their term in office to better the quality of life in Oshawa? NOTHING. So we are going to increase their salaries to continue doing more of the same. Not one of them can argue the failure of their participation as council members. Justify the war-zone atmosphere in downtown Oshawa. **NO EXCUSE.** Yet these **3 amigos** want to continue—and receive a pay increase. **NO.** Now turning to the other three candidates. All outsiders. All wasting time instead of hitting the pavement and getting out in the people's eye. The new candidates, in my opinion, have no clue what they have signed themselves up for. I contacted them personally. It appears that their schedules are too busy to meet with the city's newspaper. One would think that if any media called you, you would drop what you are doing and give it top priority. NOW I WILL GIVE THEM THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT and overlook their disrespect. I would meet with them at any time, as a responsible member of the electorate. It is my duty to find out who they are and what they are all about. By their actions, it tells me that they do not have what it takes to be mayor. A mayor should be available 24/7. No call waits. No concern is overlooked. Municipal office should always be available and easily accessible. Not like the Sing Sing they have created today. People are fed up, and rightly so. Time to elect someone who will open the doors and welcome change. The **3 amigos** are proven failures.**No more.**