TORONTO, October 21, 2010 /Canada NewsWire/ - After a successful launch last week, the Online Party of Canada (OPC - www.onlineparty.ca) affirmed the notion that Internet technology is ready to enter the political arena. With more Canadians embracing the idea of debating and voting online, this 'Tea Party'-like grassroots organization is gaining momentum across the country.
To date, the OPC website has posted controversial issues for debate: members have voted on ending the war in Afghanistan, legalizing prostitution and marijuana, freeing public transit and post-secondary education, eliminating unions from governmental organizations, and reforming the Constitutional Monarchy system. Unlike traditional politicians, OPC representatives are compelled to support the outcome of the vote on every issue; therefore, every vote really counts.
OPC offers the Canadian electorate precisely what many Canadians have been waiting to see in politics for a long time: a built-in accountability mechanism whereby elected officials are held to their promises and actions, ensuring competence and transparency in the political process. OPC offers a viable alternative to the two-party system, and focuses on real issues instead of empty political dialogue. By voting on issues rather than parties, OPC allows for a more refined view of the Canadian electorate. Canadians are not blue or red, as the two-party system suggests. They are liberals when it comes to human rights and conservatives in regards to government spending. Despite this, under the current system the only choice is to vote for one party or the other, and remain indifferent when the elected officials break their promises on individual issues.
Mr. Michael Nicula, the founder of OPC, opines that the political debate will soon enter a new era, focusing on individual issues instead of parties and politicians. For generations voters have chosen a color and voted for the candidate proposed, in many cases having very little information about that person. Every year, Canadians cast their votes, hoping for the best while not taking the promises of elected officials very seriously. Sadly, having a minority government is considered a good thing!
Mr. Nicula believes the Canadians are ready for online debate and voting, and OPC is ready to provide the platform for this change. The Canadian political establishment has managed so far to fend off challenges from smaller progressive political organizations due to the high costs of publicity. Social networking via the internet abolishes these costs and therefore can radically alter the existing political system.
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