Ed Miliband's challenge to "the manufactured, the polished, the presentational" practice of politics, where democracy is reduced to "showbiz, a game, who is up and who is down," deserves to be discussed in terms that go beyond the effect this may have on his own electoral prospects. It should open up a larger debate on what's wrong with the practice of democracy today. For it is indeed the case that "people's sense of the artificiality, the triviality, the superficiality of politics is more highly tuned than ever," not only in the U.K., but in one country after another.

Please support our coverage of democratic movements and become a monthly supporter of rabble.ca.

"Bastards!"

The anger of the middle-aged woman at her door in Toronto's Davenport riding is palpable when asked about the Ontario election.

Olga, who did not provide a last name, is speaking to Green Party candidate Daniel Stein and is furious about the Liberal's gas plant scandal saying "they did it to save their jobs." She also says that "the NDP are totally bonkers" and that "Canada is becoming the biggest hypocrite country in the world."

Stein says she's a natural fit for the Greens and asks if she'll put up a sign -- she gives him a tentative "maybe."