HTTP/1.0 200 OK Content-Type: text/html Democracy Is Inclusive 
Pubdate: Mon, 02 Oct 2006
Source: North Bay Nugget (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006 North Bay Nugget
Contact:  http://www.nugget.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2226
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

DEMOCRACY IS INCLUSIVE

The Reverend (we assume) Michel Ethier must be given top marks for 
persistence. He wants to become His Worship the Mayor of West 
Nipissing, and none shall deny his right to try, try, and try again.

He is also minister in the pot-promoting Church of the Universe, so 
it must be assumed he is entitled to some reverence.

Judging by past performances, at least 90 per cent of voters in this 
interesting and diverse municipality will vote against him.

If controversy and discussion is at the heart of democracy, Ethier 
may have served democracy very well. Claude Arcand has thrown his hat 
in the ring at the last minute, competing with Mayor Joanne Savage 
and Ethier for the top job.

It was predicted to be acclamations all the way, but in two West 
Nipissing wards unexpected entries are giving voters a choice.

Savage must be commended for taking the position no one should be 
banned, bullied or intimidated into withdrawing from a political 
contest because they do not have a hope of winning.

So have most of the council, who expected to receive acclamations.

The main criticism of Ethier seems to be that he would cost taxpayers 
$50,000 to stage an election. Arcand's entry eliminates this 
criticism, unless he, too, is to be denounced for wasting taxpayers' money.

Hold on a minute. Democracy is precious. It is unique and valuable. 
It is costly and too often hopelessly inefficient. But it is better 
than totalitarianism, dictatorship and all the other nasty and 
commonly brutal and despicable systems under which many millions suffer.

Ethier is a pot advocate. He may be eccentric, even if pot-heads have 
served a useful purpose in forcing society to recognize sometimes 
marijuana can be useful for people suffering from cancer or glaucoma.

Ethier's election office is a little unusual. He is currently housed 
in North Bay Jail.

Ethier does have some good ideas. He is for recycling and protecting 
the environment. He is for deamalgamation, and so are many 
respectable people wherever centralization and amalgamation have been 
imposed upon suffering taxpayers.

He also advocates hemp farming. Hemp is a cousin to marijuana. Many 
serious agriculturists believe it could greatly aid Canadian agriculture.

Ethier's endorsement will not improve hemp's image, but he makes us 
laugh, and makes us think.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman