A commentary by a former MLA who lives in Victoria.

I wonder why, in today’s world, we continue with the rhetoric that public participation and our voting are hallmarks of our democracy?

Today at our municipal, school board, provincial and federal levels, those who are elected most often succeed based on political party affiliation/support, or slates and willingness to bloc vote – to hell with independent critical thinking, common sense, accountability, and transparency – and heaven forbid real public input!

So, in politics, we see avoidance of real issues, no real tangible solutions, adherence to some minority view or ideology to address or avoid addressing real problems. We regularly witness minority supported projects and dutiful virtue signaling and benefit to political supporters.

Politicians at all levels are guilty of “dumbing down” serious issues facing citizens and communities by oversimplifying them, closed meeting decision making, provincial bans on citizen input on changes to their neighbourhoods,........

© Times Colonist