Is politics the art or science of winning and holding control over a government? Is it the competition between competing interest groups or individuals for power and leadership? Is it the activities associated with governance, especially the debate or conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power? It’s all the above. We have both provincial and municipal elections this fall in Saskatchewan. It’s funny, but when I think of some flaws in only having a two-party system when I look south at the U.S., who are also holding elections this fall for both president and congress, I realize that in our province we essentially have two parties jockeying for power. I’m no political scientist but to me there’s a weakness in only having two parties duke it out for power over the public purse. On a side note, is it me or does it seem that the back-and-forth discourse in both the legislature and parliament lately has degenerated into more childish name calling and accusations than ever? And you wonder why more intelligent, rational, reasonable people don’t want to join the circus by running for office. Anyway, this will be a year of change at the civic level in Saskatoon. There will be at least three new faces sitting in council chambers in November as the mayor and two councilors are not running again. It will be interesting to see who comes out of the woodwork, especially for mayor. Saskatoon also has a new Police Chief and will soon have a new Fire Chief. 2024 is a year of change.
That’s Coffeetalk. I’m Vic Dubois