Human Principles and values are the same regardless of affiliation with parties or any identifiable group for that matter. Any successful move to more principled behavior by our political representatives needs to acknowledge these values and substantially distance itself from these antiquated and mutually destructive affiliations. Only then will our politicians be truly accountable and representative to their constituents. I truly believe that model will be fully realized when public anger reaches a point where it can no longer be ignored by the status quo.

long winded ! boring . inefficient . waste of time . good intent ! ;-)

If we really want a conservative majority that can begin to address a deeply rooted bureaucracy that is bloated and badly listing to the left - we need to get past our fear of socially conservative values and recognize they usually come with fiscally conservative value and much common ground even with libertarians.

Please send me this polling data asap!!

ERic

Dear Mr.Manning,

After reading The Thing about Innovation (great read), in which you address the following:

And what are the valued things that Canada needs to find new and better ways of doing? They include:

1- The productive performance of businesses, especially in international markets;

2- The cost-effective provision of essential services, especially health care;

3- The responsible operation of the senior institutions of Canadian democracy – our Parliament and legislatures.

I would like to add this:

I don't know if this would be of any help but it seems to me that attitude can make a huge difference when trying to solve some of these problems.

If one considers countries in which these three objectives are better met, I would say that their attitude, generally speaking, is more visionary inclined.

I would consider the Canadian attitude, generally speaking, to be reactionary in nature.

A visionary attitude is, for a large part, marked by anticipation inclusively. Within commenting upon social changes, the anticipatory aspect is automatically build in.

The reactionary attitude is marked by lack of anticipation inclusively while the process is unfolding. The reactionary attitude is by commenting upon the facts, rather than while building up to the facts, being able to anticipate simultaneously.

The difference between national attitudes and between the visionary and reactionary attitude is noticealbe not just within political, academic or business circles but is noticable within all layers of the population. And it is important not to separate the two layers. The general population's attitude is of importance if we want the nation as a whole to move forward on all of the three objectives mentioned by you.

The aspect of general attitude setting and how to deal with such, would, in my mind, have to be dealt with if we are to make changes for the better.

BTW, by attitude change, I do not mean changing people's ideaologies, but rather to have a better understanding of implementation by means of advanced anticipation capabilities within.

As far as I can see, it should certainly be considered.

Regards,

Francien Verhoeven

Make government work. (I have no idea how except I cannot stand the cheap shot sound bite so common in our government).
Be fiscally responsible. Eliminate deficit and pay down the national debt, but not on the backs of the taxpayer.
Government accountability. Less secrecy, more openness.
A health care system that works. If competition is required to make it work then embrace it. A mix of public and private works in other countries.
Free speech.
Canadian unity. The country seems to go through periods of fragmentation (yesterday Quebec, the west, Newfoundland, who knows what it will be tomorrow).

It would be realistic spending, at both the personal and, increasingly, the government levels.
Many Canadians would be horrified if they knew the unfunded liabilities owed by the various levels of government, crown corporations and related organizations like hospitals, universities, development banks, etc

- the dignity of every human being
- the value of all living things
- the father-mother-child triangle
- neighborliness
- volunteerism
- value of non-state enterprises (eg - faith groups, community associations, charities, NGOs)
- responsible and free commerce
- strong defence and international contribution
- natural law that is not in the power of any political community to amend
- that the human condition is designed, sourced and ended by strong and subtle purpose
- the disposition to preserve permanent things and an ablity to reform disorder and decay.

less government in our lives, repeal of gun registry, support for traditional families, lower taxes and free trade