Vancouver-based Common Ground magazine has put out a special issue with articles relevant to the 41st Federal General Election. You can find it in print, free, at the usual places - it is also available on-line now.

I would encourage readers to fully take in Paul LeMay's thoughtful article It's not enough just to vote: Why Canada's democracy needs an upgrade. Whether you believe our system needs a complete reboot or incremental improvement, I hope you'll find Paul's thoughts worth contemplation and deserving of broad distribution.

Saanich Gulf-Island watchers will be interested in an article by TheTyee.ca's Andrew MacLeod who you may recall wrote about controversies in the 2008 election battle there. With Elizabeth May squaring off against incumbent Conservative Gary Lunn, debate or no debate, the country will be watching this riding on May 2.

If you need a laugh be sure to take in a piece by noted local political cartoonist Geoff Olson who shares his Tory Nightmare. Warning: It's scary stuff indeed.

Common Ground, Issue 238