Debate?

Listening to the first English language Canadian election debate (listening, not watching -- I'm sick of the media focus on whether so-and-so blinked at the right time) I must say as an informed voter that I am insulted and appalled by the format that the party leaders have been compelled to follow.

There is no interaction, very little emotion and practically no depth. At one point, a question from a low income individual in Ontario about the GST was discussed with the earnestness of a bunch of first year political science students. Nobody -- not one of the leaders -- would honestly address the question and point out that low income citizens receive GST rebate checks on a regular basis. Low income Canadians get their GST money back! Why was this question even allowed in the rotation?

The format for follow-up comments -- steered by the moderator -- does not provide enough time for a reasonable answer. Eager sound engineers turned off the politicians' microphones mid-sentence thus making a mockery of their statements. It's completely disrespectful. The future of democracy? Hurry up! National unity? Beat the clock. Health care and social programs? There's no time! No time!

This format is dreadful and does no one any good. While voters have many reasons to be disrespectful of Federal politicians, this so-called debate format does a tremendous disservice to each of the party leaders.

(Follow-up: Gilles Duceppe -- the separatist -- called Canada a great nation at least twice; you've gotta' love the civility of our perennial national unity angst.)