The Courage of Bill Casey Independent Candidate From Nova Scotia

The Canadian political party system is deeply flawed and Canadians know it. 

That’s why we are refusing to elect majority governments. We’ve lost faith in the traditional party system. Far too many elected M.P.’s sit on their hands, keep their mouths shut and shuffle along with the crowd. Their blind obedience to the dictates of party leaders is a sad commentary of our democracy, our tradition of free speech, our Charter of Rights and Freedoms and respect for the electorate.

When M.P.’s are not being blindly obedient, they are often invisible. Take the re-incarnated Liberal Party for example.

In this last session of Parliament, Liberal MPs have missed three times as many votes in the House of Commons so far this year as Conservative members. The Liberal Party under Ignatieff posted the worst record of all parties for casting votes in the House.

When they did bother to show up, Liberal M.P.’s voted the same way as the Conservatives on almost every occasion. They made few if any important speeches and raised little if anything of even the slightest interest.

In fact, the majority of members of parliament (not all), are bench-warmers with few original ideas of their own.

Among the exceptions is William Casey of Nova Scotia.” Bill Casey was kicked out of the Conservative caucus after voting against his party’s budget, which altered the Atlantic accord. After a new agreement was reached last week the riding association had hoped the party would allow Casey to run in the next election despite Prime Minister Stephen Harper making it crystal clear it wouldn’t happen”.

Mr. Casey then decided to run as an independent in the last federal election and the constituents of his riding voted for him overwhelmingly….proof that sensible Canadians reject the strait jacket rules imposed arbitrarily by party leaders. In fact 69% of those who voted on October the 14th in his riding, voted for him.

Here’s what the Charlottetown Guardian said about Mr. Casey:

“By voting with his conscience, this long-time MP reminds all elected officials that they work for the voters, and that voters’ concerns should always come before those of the respective parties. If more MPs demonstrated the courage that Mr. Casey showed this week, all parties would be forced to pay more attention to them and act on their advice. And wouldn’t that give us better, more responsive government?” – August 2007

Mr. Casey’s example is just one more reason for Canadians to begin electing more independent candidates.

For more backround on William Casey, please visit the following sites.

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=35703&sc=103

http://www.billcasey.blogspot.com/

http://www.billcasey.ca/