Howling at the Moon

••• Comment by Sylene Argent •••

Let’s Get Political

I know I have harped on the importance of paying attention to politics before, and I still stand strong on that front because those decisions –no matter at what level – affect our lives, but I also understand how confusing it all can be.

There is so much information thrown at us on a daily basis, it can be hard to know where to start, if one wants to start becoming politically involved.

When I covered Essex MP Chris Lewis’s New Year’s Levee on Sunday, one of the questions I asked him was what was the best way someone who may not have paid much attention to politics in the past could start following along.

Let’s face it, there are currently endless Bills, policies, issues, and matters being discussed – or even debated – at the municipal, provincial, and national levels. Each politician, or political party, has its stance and may slam the opposition with sometimes relevant – and sometimes filibuster – to try and sway the masses.

It can be hard to tell what is true –or mostly true – and what is political rhetoric.

Lewis suggested not heading to social media to get facts, which I would have to agree with, but to visit party websites and compare information to decide what makes the most sense.

And, I have to agree. That is a great way to start. Choosing a topic one may want to learn more about and doing some reading is certainly a great way to get the facts, and from there start to decide what one believes would have the best outcome.

If you would have asked me 15-years ago what I wanted to do with my life, it certainly would not have included anything political. I always felt the universe was somehow responsible for pulling me in the direction I went, because it was not something I had on my radar.

I, like many, found politics to be confusing. Now, my outlook has shifted so dramatically, I believe paying attention, being vocal about opinions, and having an honest discussion with others with different perspectives is one of the most important things we can do. That engagement demands transparency and accountability from our political leaders.

This is the time of year when municipalities are putting together their annual budget. The County of Essex just finalized its 2023 Budget last week and the Town of Essex just hosted its preliminary Budget Walkthrough last Wednesday, with deliberations to commence mid-February.

With the rising costs of just about everything, we can see it is costing more to be able to do less at our individual level, and that trickles up to doing business at the municipal level, as well. The 2023 Budget document can be viewed at essex.ca, and residents can provide feedback on the document.

With it still early in a new Term of Council, it is a great time to start following at the municipal level, as the newly elected reps are learning, too.