In a Democracy?

In a Democracy if a government fills a “budget bill” full of non budget items and then stifles debate on it is it still a democracy?

In a Democracy if a government deliberately avoids public and opposition demand for an inquiry into the largest mass arrest of citizens in Canadian history is it still a Democracy?

In a Democracy if a government adds additional tax to high priced essential items (HST to gas, home heating fuel etc) against the wishes of most of the citizens is it still a Democracy?

In a Democracy if a government uses millions of tax dollars in self promotional advertising is it still a democracy?

In a Democracy if a government fails to tell its citizens that their purchases will be subject to a new eco tax prior to its commencement is it still a democracy?

In a Democracy if a government withholds information for “independent” officers of parliament charged with monitoring their actions is it still a democracy?

In a Democracy if a government promises to be open and accountable but is increasingly closed and unaccountable is it still a democracy.

In a Democracy if a government stifles scientific research and reporting necessary for rational decisions to be made is it still a democracy?

In a Democracy if a government “forces” our representatives who are members of their party to vote in lockstep with the party is that democracy?

In a Democracy if a government suspends environmental assessments (for wind farms in Ontario) in the name of being “green” is it still a democracy?

In a Democracy if opposition partys are too scared to oppose a piece of legislation for fear of precipitating an election which they are not assured of winning is it still a democracy?

In a Democracy if our representatives (MPs & MPPs) turn a blind eye to the daily erosion of the democratic processes in this country is it still a democracy?

In a Democracy if a government can dictate to, and select, the members of the chamber of sober second thought (The Senate) is it still a democracy?

In a Democracy if the only input the citizens have is to vote for more of the same every 4 years is it still a democracy?

In a Democracy if citizens feel powerless to make change and would like to vote for “non of the above” is it still a democracy?

In a Democracy do blogs such as this have any impact at all, other that to make the writer feel that he is doing something to stop the demise of our democracy?

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