I just recently finished reading Maude Barlow's "Too Close for Comfort" and it was a real eye opener. The thing that becomes real clear with that book is just how organized and well financed the push to control Canada(and America for that matter) is. The mix of religion and corporation is a powerful one that is tough to combat. I think we have an advantage but using it is where we run into difficulty. Our advantage is that most Canadians are probably opposed to what is going on (if they knew about it) and would be horrified if they knew how much influence the evangilists had and were exercising in politics. It's their percieved goal that is the most frightening. If they knew they'd fight and that what bring sme to the reason for this article. The problem as I see it is two fold. One is money and the other is organization. How do we as small groups with little compareable funding compete and how do we get better organized? Both of these questions when answered need to get us more coverage. What I propose and what I think we need to look at is a way to organize ourselves nationally as one group but at the same time maintain our individual groups. I'd like to start a discussion in that regard and throw some ideas around, figure it out and then do it. Here is my first thoughts:

I would like to see the creation of a yearly meeting where ALL of the small parties and groups fighting this thing can get together and discuss and combine resources to fight more effectively. Perhaps create our own "citizen groups " and coalitions to generate funds and push for coverage and create our own studies. Each small group would contribute to a national news-letter/paper, zine, advertising or ?. I think combined advertising would be the first logical step. Advertising nationally or provincially as " The Small Party Coalition" or the "National Sovereignty Coalition" or some other identity would be beneficial I think. Combine resources to create one press and/or war room. Let's face it, there are similiar messages that some of these parties are expressing that overlap others. Organizing so that at least one "Coalition" member is running in each riding nation wide. First thing required to get this ting going would be the creation of a list of groups to invite and ask for contribution to this meeting. As a coalition we can run events to generate funding without any restrictions as a party we may face. eg: "Ontario Run for Canadian Sovereignty" or some other focal event. In a nutshell I think we need to recognize that we can help each other and that we can work together to support advertising and events that overlap each of our messages and groups. Identify ridings nation wide where each party working with the others can get someone elected or contribute to help meet vote percentage thresholds to get funding. Let's say that in a riding only one of the coalition parties is running a candidate. The other parties would push, help out, vote and advertise for that member. Does that make sense? Anyways I would like to lay the ground work for a small party meeting to discuss these things. Okay...let's throw this around and see if something sticks.

Shane Mussche