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Technology Issues Ignored in Canadian Elections
Jem Berkes writes "Today's Toronto Star has a good article on Canadian political parties' positions on important technology issues such as Copyright reform/WIPO, spam, and privacy. With the elections only a week away, it's surprising that these important issues have attracted little or no debate. The current Heritage Committee, for instance, has recommended that Canada ratify WIPO, and few citizens (let alone politicians) are even aware of this issue."
No it's not, and you go on to explain why:
Unfortunately for our children, Joe Average sees that his friends and family are getting in trouble for what used to be expected of him to do, but doesn't ever make the connection. It's up to us to explain to our less paranoid friends and family exactly *why* things are headed in the wrong direction. Of course, it's somewhat difficult to do without sounding paranoid schizophrenic yourself, but do it anyway. At this point, it's our civic duty.
One would think that a right-wing government such as the conservatives would be against over-control in the marketplace. The only reason that the Republicans in the US have such a hardon for the DMCA is that some of their contributors would benefit from it. There is no such thing in Canada, as far as I know. This article give more reasons (not that they are needed) to not vote NDP! (In Soviet Russia, Jack Layton doesn't vote for YOU)
Even when the levies were imposed some time ago on recordable media they went through without much more than a whisper, despite a good number of people protesting by writing their letters.
I doubt very much if there's going to be any serious discussion between the Liberals and Conservatives with respect to any kind of technology issues unless at least 80% of their prospective voters will understand it clearly or care enough to make a voting decision based on their position. Sure there are other parties that may have policies surrounding the issue -- but the grits seem to be neck and neck with the tories, and the other parties are barely given credit in the news as they are presumably expected to win no more than 7-10 seats between them.
Clearly us geeks care, but most of the populace do not. The situation is the exact same in the US, where most people on the street will have no fscking clue what the DMCA even is.
A Multiplayer Strategy Game for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux
I forgot to mention Chapter 1 of the Auditor General's report on Government on-line which represents far more government waste than Chapter 3 (sponsorship program) that people are upset about. We also hear people ranting about the gun registry, which was also a failed ICT project.
The issue isn't the importance of what we are trying to bring forward, but the lack of adequate media attention to educate people as to the connections between technology issues and all those things which they directly care about.
Digital Copyright Canada forum
I'm a Canadian citizen, and I'll be voting for the first time in the upcoming election. I realize that technology issues are important and all. But let's get this straight: there are MUCH more important issues on the table, and on the line, in this election.
The Liberals, in their stupendous arrogance, have gone and done a lot of stupid things. They've commited fraud on the scale of a hundred million dollars in Quebec. They've let the health care system atrophie and waste away. In short, they've fucked up.
But that's not the big problem. The big problem is that by fucking up as they have, they've pissed off a lot of people and driven votes toward the new Conservative party (leader: Stephen Harper - AKA Bush Lite). The problem is, these guys have come closer than they ever have to winning the election. And that's bad. This problem trumps a LOT of technology issues. If it had been up to these people, we would have jumped wholeheartedly in with the US on the royal clusterfuck that is the Iraq War.
The Alliance platform can be described as thus:
Massive tax cuts
Massive increases in military spending
"Free Votes" on the issue of gay marriage (which in practicality means that if they form Parliament, they'll pass some notwithstanding-clause backed bill banning gay marriages)
Generally antagonistic views on abortion (no definite statement by the party that they are not going to allow bills trying to roll back time on the abortion issue).
It's a close race, and there's a lot at stake. If the conservatives get into power, we're looking at a future of exteme debt, insane and useless military spending, longterm delay in the ability of homosexuals to get equal rights, potential issues with abortion rights, and the slow death of the social services that makes this country such a nice place to live in.
For all his faults, Martin (Paul Martin - Liberal leader and current prime minister) - has shown that he can actually manage the budget and churn out a significant surplus (at a cost to services, but regardless, it's a notable achievement). We can't afford to waste this money on military spending and corporate tax cuts.
Not to say that I love the liberals though. If the PC was still together (the old, more moderate conservative party), I would have voted for them this election. I'm disgusted with the way the Liberals have behavd.
But being disgusted is one thing. Being scared to death is another. And I'm scared to death of a Conservative majority. They'll take us right down the shitter.
Anyway, I'm sure there are equally strong opinions on the matter from the Conservative supporters.
What I'm trying to say is: there are bigger issues in this election than technology. Much bigger issues.
-Laxitive
There is a term in linux circles about misinformation tactics by large corporations...
It's called FUD, and you seem to have fallen a victim of it in this election.
Look at the policies of the Conservatives, they aren't much different from any of the parties...The NDP have planks in their platform that are the same as the conservatives ie in regards to prortional representation; economic policy is similar to Liberal with slower growth for govenrmental depts. ie more money for other areas such as tax cuts; We do need a better military...
Listen to what the leader is saying and look at Harpers record. He is the only politician consistent thru-out his career on many issues. People are afraid because he personally says he is against abortion, but if you look at the record, it is clear that if it came to a vote in the House, he would allow a free vote, hence we would get a clear indication of the mood of the people of Canada not some legislation rammed down our throats.
Look at the record not what the fear mongers are spreading people!