“The strategy now is to intentionally get people disengaged,” he says of the political party's agenda. “A completely engaged electorate is unpredictable and [the politicians] don't like that.” While there used to be more debates and discussion about laws politicians were trying to pass and agreements they were trying to sign, Mercer says there is a great deal happening that many people aren't hearing about—and a great deal more they aren't speaking out against. Although he admits many do care, it can often be hard when life's other commitments take precedence. Mercer, however, hopes that when something really does bother us, we will speak up more. “It's dangerous to be complacent,” he says, “if we're complacent it'll be used against us.”
Rick Mercer wants us to be a “nation of ranters”—not in the sense that we're always angry and complaining—just that we don't take everything at face value and question what goes on around us. Mercer uses a unique blend of humor and intelligence to share his opinions through his rants and in his highly sought after keynotes. As Canada's most popular political satirist, his standing room-only keynotes illustrate all that's great (and sometimes not so great) about our nation and guide us on what we can do to take part in the politics of our future.