My venerable mother, who's been paying close attention to political affairs in this country since at least the start of World War II, says that this is the most important election we've ever had. "Are times really worse than in the Diefenbaker era?" I asked, Diefenbaker being someone I'd long heard decried but never really knew. No question there, it turns out. Seems that Dief, for all his faults, did not disrespect Parliament, he just couldn't govern. Today we have a leader who appears to know how to govern; he just doesn't respect Parliament. What does this mean for us?
Harper has mastered the machinery of power so effectively he gives the impression of a calm, collected confident leader. He also consistently flouts the political system within which only that power is legitimate. He refuses to disclose information on a major bill he wants to pass through Parliament. He hides details of a major purchase of fighter jets. A cabinet minister of his lies to Parliament. Tory senators are charged with fraud in dirty election schemes, party workers with graft in sex scandals. He prorogues Parliament. He eliminates and threatens nation-building sources of information and analysis--the long-form census gone in a summer pen-stroke, and the CBC, accused of "lying" and being something the government has no "business" supporting.
Incredibly, all this behaviour hasn't yet hurt his approval rating as a leader. Do we really think this man should lead? Clearly he knows how to wield power, but does he do so legitimately?
More than any other time, this election is about assessing the values at the core of our political system. The Conservatives campaigned in 2005 on a platform of transparency and ethics. Stephen Harper has ushered in autocracy and contempt. It's time we sent him a message.
No comments:
Post a Comment