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Harper’s One-Man-Band, and Pretzel Tories.
So, a little time has passed, and Harper’s daring moves to impress the electorate with his political acumen have now sunk in a bit. Reaction across the country to his cabinet appointments – and abandonment of principles espoused during the election – have varied from sheer disbelief, to shock, to amusement. Never has a Canadian politician fallen so far so fast. Usually it takes time for power to corrupt, but Mr. Harper is a man in a hurry.
Many Tories have had to swallow their tongues and bend themselves into pretzels defending the indefensible. Some MPs have said they fear going back to their ridings because they will have to explain to their supporters how the Harper crew did a sudden U-turn on the accountability issue, which, after all, was the Tory strong point in the election. Harper ran as Mr. Clean, and painted Martin as Mr. Corruption at every opportunity he had.
Even the rightwing press is stunned and disappointed.
Examples of press reaction:
The Vancouver Sun:
“"I expected some of the superficial criticism I've seen," Mr. Harper told The Vancouver Sun in an interview. "But I think once people sit back and reflect, they'll understand that this is in the best interests of not just British Columbia but frankly of good government." Mr. Harper referred to his statements on Monday, when he said he recruited Mr. Emerson to Cabinet to give Vancouver -- which didn't elect a Tory MP in five city ridings -- a voice in Cabinet. He used the same rationale to explain why he appointed Tory national campaign co-chairman Michael Fortier, a Montreal businessman, to the Senate and as Minister of Public Works. Montreal, like Vancouver, did not elect a government MP. "I think I was clear what I did and why I did it," Mr. Harper said yesterday.
The Calgary Sun – Roy Clancy:
“Stephen Harper must be breathing a sigh of relief today. Just minutes after being sworn in as prime minister, he relieved himself of one of the biggest burdens he had carried into the job. No longer must he live up to the impossible standard of political purity and ethical integrity saddled upon him by a naive electorate. ...But as widespread moans of anger illustrate, many Canadians took Harper seriously when he promised Monday to "begin a new chapter for Canada." No wonder they were disappointed when they learned within moments that this new chapter looks a lot like the old one. ...Harper's pragmatic moves may not have violated the letter of his promises to change the way government is run, but they shattered the spirit. .... Monday's manoeuvres quickly lowered the bar when it comes to public expectations of this new regime.“
The Calgary Sun - Rick Bell:
“See the Tories wriggle. Wriggle, Tories, wriggle. Ah yes, one party's turncoat is another party's principled politician. No anger now. No demands to step down and face the voters now. No nasty name-calling now. No sympathy for the poor electors of the riding of the quisling now. ... The trouble with talking about the moral high ground is you actually have to walk on it or, like the kid standing by the broken window after throwing the snowball, insist without shame you've done nothing wrong. ... So the rationalizations flow, the lame explanations are exhaled into the hot air and only those who have drunk the Conservative Kool-Aid will follow as good old ideological ants.”
So, what lessons can be taken from Harper’s first exercise of Prime Ministerial power? Here are a few for you to ponder:
• Just as it is unfair to accuse every Republican of having the same moral vacuity that President Bush has displayed, so too is it unfair to say that all Conservatives – and all voters who voted for the Tories – lack good moral and political judgment. It is very clear that there are a lot of people who voted Tory because they sincerely believed that it was time for the Liberals to mend their house, and for another party to bring in some anti-corruption measures. These people still have high standards; they are as bewildered by the events of this week as others are.
• Harper obviously believes he is above trifling things like having to take the feelings of others into consideration. This exercise of Prime Ministerial power shows that he will think things through – apparently mostly on his own – and then decide on the best way forward. If he explains his thought process, it is obvious to him that voters will then understand why he is right, and fall into line. There is a word for this: paternalism. Harper shows clear signs of seeing himself as the Big Wise Daddy of Canadian politics. His use of the word “superficial” to describe the reaction of others to his crass abandonment of some of the major planks of his election platform illustrates this very clearly.
• Harper is focused on winning a majority in the next election, to happen within 18 months. Everything he will do or say is geared to that. If lesser mortals within his own party do not understand this, that is their problem. They must suck it up and stay in line. Big Daddy knows best.
• Harper does not believe in a democratic party for the Tory government. It is his way or the highway (witness Stronach). This is perhaps the most worrisome aspect for many Tories: did they realize they were electing a dictator rather than the leader of a parliamentary party fashioned along the lines of a Westminster democracy? How many more decisions will be made by The Leader, and rammed down the throats of the caucus? And how can Canadians expect such decisions to be the best, if they are not tested by vigorous debate within the governing party before being made?
If Harper continues in the same vein for the next 12 months, expect him to join the ranks of the Clarks, Campbells and Martins as a short-lived blip on the Canadian political firmament.
And the praise for Harper and the New Conservatives just keeps on coming........unbelievable, in just two days since he was sworn in too. This has to be a new record. Mulroney must be smiling. His Conservatives are back. My sympathies to the reformers in his pack. Darn I can't believe this. I don't know if I should cry or laugh. I was actually hoping for some really good stuff from this administration. Now I wonder at what cost?
Here's some more classic & typical comments that I found on another blog;
Harper at al villified the Liberals ad nauseum over their lack of ethics and moral authority to govern, yet given the first opportunity to walk the walk, we are subjected to this perversion of the democratic process.
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To sit on his exalted throne of self righteousness and pontificate to the masses extolling the virtues of his moral high road and deliver this inaugural absurdity is a classic defining moment for our new Prime Minister. The wolf just shed his wool coat! Get ready for the rest of the hidden agenda. SITUATIONAL ETHICS AT ITS WORST.
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I am very disappointed by Mr. Harper's actions. Politics and principles often are in conflict but I had hoped when I voted Conservative that Mr. Harper would restore my faith in Canadian politics and 'practice what he had preached'. He has done the exact opposite - just all the other politicians we have complained about.
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Do you think having their candidate change parties before parliament even sits benefits the people of Vancouver?
Do you think have an unelected, unaccountable, bagman for a minister benefits the people of Montreal?
It didn’t take long for Tory apologists to forget the meaning of democracy and throw away the vaunted principles that got them elected.
So much for integrity and accountability, apparently they were just election rhetoric.
I expect soon we will see the 'We are not as bad as the Liberals yet' posts.
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It's amazing how quickly things change when it is a male crossing the floor over a female... 'Saskatchewan Conservative MP Maurice Vellacott, who said Ms. Stronach was prostituting herself, described Mr. Emerson carefully yesterday.
'I understand the pragmatism of it,' Mr. Vellacott said. 'But to be honest, I feel a bit uneasy about it.' A women sells herself but a man is pragmatic..... Has equality really developed in Canada if someone can say something like this?
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Stephen, it didn't take you long to lose all credibility.
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As a staunch Conservative Party supporter, I am disappointed and saddened today! I felt a new beginning was appropriate for our government. If this is the beginning, what's next? I am not sure who are Mr. Harper's advisors are, yet these decisions are absolutely terrible considering what we have just experienced with the Liberal Party. The government and country needed fixing and healing and all we got was the sameold-same old! I also question Harper's judgment! It could have otherwise been very easy with a new openness and the promised transparency. 1) Tell Emerson to resign and have a by-election to allow the people to decide. Let Emerson come clear about his objectives and reasons for crossing the floor, and let Harper explain the positive points of his potential Ministerial appointment to the people. 2) Tell Mr. Fortier to come on board as a senior advisor. There are other talented people (along with the civil servants) who could have run that department. If Fortier is interested in a Cabinet position in the future, Harper should have told him to become the candidate in a riding and run for a seat in Parliament. I never thought I would ever, ever say this but thank God this is only a minority and maybe, just maybe, there is some type of hidden agenda..........Mr. Harper, you have a lot of work to do to re-gain my trust!!
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So in 2 days as PM he has appointed a person who didn't even want to run for office, but had poltical connections, as a senator, worked for, and accepted a turncoat into his cabinet, and is now offering Quebec money that he plans to take from other provinces (aka day care)... I understand now.... 'West Wants in' really meant the West wanted to do this themselves....silly me...I thought you wanted better represenation and more accountability....
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Wow, I guess it's true: the Conservatives and Liberals aren't that much different after all.
Maybe I'll vote Conservative next time. You know, because I'm a stupid Ontarian who likes to vote for corruption.
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LMAO!! C'mon, did we really expect a new trustworthy Stephen Harper just becausse he learned a few tricks on the BBQ circuit last summer? Canadians get the government they vote for. They voted for a deceitful know-it-all; and that's what they got.
Settle in, the nonsense has just begun!
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Maybe there is good reason Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal did not vote conservative. People might complain about the big cities having too much clout, but they have shown themselves to be astute voters.
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I have full trust in Emerson's ability to fulfill his promise that he 'would like to be Stephen Harper's worst nightmare'.
I don't think the stench of what is going on in Ottawa will be forgotten any time in the near future. I tip my cowboy hat to Stephen Harper for being even more stupid and deceitful than I thought possible. Its like the glory days of Stockwell Day.
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Why bother running for election....if you are a friend of the Prime Minister, you can get appointed to the Senate, get one of the most sensitive department in terms of the billions of dollars worth of contracts awarded every year, and hey!!! not even be accountable to the House of Commons for it. And if you screw up, you are still guaranteed a seat in the Senate until the age of 75, with staff, a car and a driver and let's not forget the very comfortable salary!!!! To my knowledge, Canada has never removed a Senator from office. The only one that came close is the Liberal Senator who had to resign because of public pressure for not attending sessions...
Mister Prime Minister, I truly hoped and believed you would bring a breath of fresh air in federal politics! So far, all I see is pure hypocrisy and an insult to our most democratic institution, the House of Commons!
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How can anyone pretend to be shocked by Herr Harper's antics? The right-wing has always been better known for its adherence to the principles of expediency than the principles of fairness and justice. Good luck, Canada. I'm glad I'm living abroad--but please try to clean it up before I get back.
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Mr Harper must reverse the appointment of Mr Emerson until Mr emerson wins a bielection, as a Tory. His appointment of the non elected gentleman should wait until he holds a seat and can be present in the house to answer for his actions. If Mr Harper wishes to retain any validity at all he should act as soon as possible. I would hate to be a Tory MP right now.
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What right wing press? The only ones I've ever witnessed were temporary at best. At one time Montreal had three English Liberal papers, leaving only the Gazette as more neutral than anything. All of the Asper owned papers across the country (3 in Vancouver) were Liberal. Have they suddenly changed? They'd like you to think so maybe, but they have a history with the Liberal party. None partisan press? Crap!
Political shrewdness is not something that Liberals should have all to themselves. It's done. Get over it.
Political shrewdness at the cost of moral and ethical expediency is tragic and unacceptable especially from the holier than though Conservatives. Let me repeat it was a big fat lie.
The holier than thou Conservatives were given that name by the thieving Liberals during their hidden agenda campaign. Maybe they lied? To me it looks more like a promise that could not be kept than a lie.
Here we have The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and Multiculturalism and master of none, taking it personally and being an immature little boy about all of it in respect to taking away financial support to the Canadian Arab Federation. It seems that if you disagree with The Honourable Jason Kenney then he takes it personally and gets very vindictive and venomous.
It seems that this kind of immature little boy attitude is prevalent throughout the Conservative Party which is a collection of hard liner unreasonable Reform and Alliance Party members. There is nothing Conservative about this Conservative Government.
... ask Danny Williams, the Liberal Premier of Newfoundland and a former Progressive Conservative, a real Conservative and not the collection of incompetents that we have now masquerading as Conservatives.
It seems that Danny Williams instituted the A B C program in Newfoundland during the previous Federal Elections.
A B C stands for ANYTHING BUT CONSERVATIVE. Newfoundland elected all Liberals and NO Conservatives.
The Prime Minister of Canada became very vindictive towards Newfoundland with the previous budget where Newfoundland would lose billions of dollars per year.
May I remind The Prime Minister Stephen Harper and MInister of Citizenship and Immigration and Multiculturalism and ‘master’ of none that they are elected by all the people for all the people. Harper and Kenney are PUBLIC SERVANTS. It’s about time both of these two immature little boys realized this. They are not elected to put their personal and own agenda forth. They are elected by all the people for all the people to govern in the best interest of all the people and all of Canada. You are only public servants and nothing more so lets get back down to earth and do what you are supposed to do that being governing in the best interest of all Canadians and of all Canada.
Jason Kenney has got to be the most incomplete individual I have ever come across as a politician, ... a real legend in his own mind and the most incompetent person that is not suited for the job in the least. If Jason Kenney is truly concerned about serving his country the best way he can do this is to immediately resign. I am not impressed in the least nor am I impressed with Cane and Abel, two more immature little boys that cannot get along no matter what. Draw a line somewhere in the sand and live happily ever after, ... it’s as simple as that. Everyone needs somewhere to live.
Now we have Bob Rae’s wife being frowned upon for supporting Israel, ... well, isn’t that a horrific crime. I don’t mind that Mrs. Rae supports Israel just as long as she understands that she is Canadian and that Canada comes first and not Israel. I don’t mind that all Canadians celebrate their heritage and practice their religion however do these things from a Canadian perspective, that Canadian perspective being Canada first along with Canadian ‘core’ values.
Canada is a unique entity among all countries in this world with a great and wonderful Mosaic rich and diverse culture, a collection of different people from all over the world working together as Canadians first for Canada first while celebrating their heritage and their own religion, ... this is the way it is supposed to be if this country is going to work. It can’t be any other way otherwise we are going to have a collection of different cultures drawing a line and warring against each other.
If Cane and Abel want to live in Canada then they will have to get along and that is all there is to it. Put forth Canadian core values and a Canada first attitude and half the problems are gone immediately and that is all you need to get along, ... Canadian core values and Canada first.
We don’t need immature incompetent hard liners like Harper and Kenney in Government. If I don’t like what Kenney is doing then I am going to tell him that I don’t like what he is doing without any worry about reprimand.
NO DICTATORS ALLOWED IN CANADA AND THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT. There is ZERO Canadian tolerance in this regard.
A healthy disrespect for government is required to keep things in balance and to keep things going in a steady progressive and prosperous way and manner.
All Canadians must realize this especially new Canadian immigrants. It is OK to criticize your government. It is expected in a diverse mosaic democratic culture. It’s the Canadian way. Everyone must help their government govern otherwise the government will screw it all up just like they are doing now. Feel free to criticize your government. It is a must for good government. Write letters. Keep on writing letters and at election time vote YOUR government in or vote YOUR government out. The Government is YOUR servant. YOU are NOT the Governments servant and never will be.
Canada is a nation of celebration!
Immigrants bring wonderful gifts with them and make invaluable contributions to this country. Lets keep it positive. Lets keep it Canadian. Lets keep it Canada. There is no other country in the world like Canada.
The world need more Canada
Commenting by HaloScan
