Democracy: Is Private election financing constitute prostitution?



Joey's Story explores the life and achievements of Joseph (Joey) Roberts Smallwood, who has been known to be a deep thinker. Most people are unaware of Smallwood's insights into democracy.  Smallwood had viewed private election financing as a form of prostitution.  Could Smallwood's insights into private election financing be the basis of rejuvenating democracy's state of malaise in Canada and throughout the industrialized west?   

He was born to Charles Smallwood & Mary Devannaborn in Gambo, Newfoundland. When he was 5 months old, his parents moved to St. John's. He grew up here in utter poverty. He attended day schools in the neighborhood, and later h went to Bishop Feild College. He dropped out prior to finishing his studies. When he turned 15, he became apprentice of a printer at St. John's Plain-dealer. He spent next few years in gaining knowledge and experience as a reporter while working with various newspapers. In addition to having worked for many newspapers including New York Call, he also founded some newspapers, which include Labor Outlook and Humber Herald.

The first venture of Joseph Smallwood into politics was in the 1928, when he decided to run as a candidate for Humber. But when Sir Richard Squires, the party leader, showed his an interest in that seat, Joseph Smallwood stepped aside in order to act as a campaign manager for the district. His successes were compensated with a position as a Peace Justice.

By 1936 he had begun assembling the first 2 volumes of his book, The Book of Newfoundland, after returning to St. John’s. He also wrote a column "From the Masthead" in Daily News of St. John's, using the heading "The Barrelman". The column then evolved into a radio program with the same title and ran on government radio for many years. In 1946, Joey Smallwood was elected to be an ambassador for Bonavista Centre. Joey, after being convinced that Confederation was a source for the Newfoundland's salvation, wasted no time in declaring this opinion in a speech to Convention on October 28th, 1946. He also used broadcasts on radio for the proceedings of Convention to push the Confederation’s cause and his own eminence across the region.

In the provincial election of that year, Joseph Smallwood and Liberal party achieved a decisive victory. He stayed premier for almost next quarter-century. He had almost complete control over development and industrialization in province as an economic development minister. In 1968, Joey Smallwood announced his retirement as a Liberal Leader. He joined the Liberals again in 1977, but then resigned his seat for the 3rd (and final) time during June of the same year.

He spent his later years in the making of Encyclopedia of Newfoundland & Labrador. The first 2 volumes were issued in 1981 and 1984 respectively. The project saw many ups and downs in coming years. By 1988, J. R. Smallwood Foundation was brought in place to complete the publication of this work, and to found the Smallwood Institute of Newfoundland Studies (SINS) at Memorial University. Joey Smallwood didn’t live to finally see the Encyclopedia’s completion, dying in 1991 at his home in the St. John's.

Researching history was his passion and he was a liberal in politics. His concepts and information on political systems in both the Canada and United States so much shocked Bob Moss, a news reporter and author that he decided to pen the Joey’s Story. One with interest in politics and journalism must acquire book to read the ventures of Joey Smallwood as Reporter, Ambassador, Politician and a Leader. A Great Piece of Writing and Knowledge Indeed!


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