The other day over at Trapped in a Whirlpool, blogger Kev wrote a post entitled Irrelevant by Choice. In it, he lamented the failure ofParliamentary-backbenchers to do the job they were entrusted with, the representation of their constituents. He wrote:
I choose to believe that the vast majority got involved in politics for the right reasons, because they believed strongly in something and felt they could make a contribution. However, somewhere along the way they were convinced that the only role they could play was to defend the party, tossing away any principles they may have had.
Although our political system is based on what is known as party discipline, like Kev, I have been dismayed by the failure of Conservative backbenchers to show any moral fiber, choosing instead to support the most odious of legislation and propaganda spewed out by a government that evidences little concern with anything save its own ideological agenda, no matter what the cost to the environment, ordinary people's lives, or faith in the democratic process.
My assumption is that in many cases, the siren call of a Parliamentary secretariatship or, the ultimate prize, a seat at the 'adult table' via a cabinet post, overwhelms any residual morality of the people's representatives.
Nonetheless, occasionally the slightest ray shines through on a dark contemporary political landscape. As reported in the print edition of this morning's Star, that ray is to be found on Toronto city council.
Michelle Bernardinetti, one of two women (Jayne Robinson is the other) on Rob Ford's 13-member executive committee, has decided not to seek reappointment to the cabinet-like body, saying, "I'm a Liberal. I'd like to focus on the values that I hold.... It's a great opportunity just to be an independent councillor."
It seems that biggest objection Bernardinetti has to the committee is one that parallels the nature of federal and provincial politics: the whipped vote wherein members face "intense...pressure from Ford's staff" to vote a specific way, supporting even the most inane of the chief magistrate's directives.
Says Bernardinetti: "I'm elected by the 60,000 people in Ward 35, and I have to listen to my residents.
A pity 'tis that our provincial and federal representatives show such deep contempt for such a lofty concept.
'We look at the present through a rear-view mirror.
ReplyDeleteWe march backwards into the future' .. Marshall McLuhan
I certainly do not include.. you.. or me .. in the 'we' .. I do include almost all of the Creatures of the Commons.. That odd ecosystem of variously devolving or developing protozoa, mould, insects or common political animals to be found in Canada's Parliament.
I'm struggling with your premise.. as it implies there is actual morality, or moral fiber to be found within the rebranded Reform Party.. now known as The Conservative Party of Canada.. and by extension, The Harper Government. Your complaint may be groundless.. as one cannot display what one does not possess.
If Ms Benardinetti or Ms Robinson display moral fiber.. kudos to them.. and for their courage, honesty, ethics and all the related attributes. I suspect they are exceptional outliers.. brave brave women.
However..
I suspect you are witching for water in a desert. A Dead Zone. Do you expect a backbencher who supported Mr Woodworth, as a majority of Mr Harper's MP's did.. to suddenly discover an inner conscience regarding women's rights or a hunger for democracy? That's seems as likely as Peter Van Loan discovering he really likes what Thomas Mulcair is all about.. and walks across the floor to join the NDP.
This is not about 'branding' .. this about being 'hard wired' .. perhaps at birth.. and/or as reinforced by upbringing, environment, experience etc.. Boessenkool, Rob Anders, Jason Kenney.. are fine examples. Most backbenchers aspire to the lofty esteem, elevation or protection these political oddfellows enjoy.
Where does political posturing cross swords with morality or belief? How do John Baird and Jason Toews manage to speak or spout from the same unethical and unsanitary megaphone? Are they not completely and diametrically opposite re sexual mores?
How does the Prime Minister maintain his familial facade? Do any Ministers or backbenchers not approve? What does a bright young backbencher make of Peter Kent's ludicrous defense of our environment? Or how Keith Ashfield's Fisheries and Oceans chose to defend infected farmed salmon over our natural and wild fisheries?
What does a backbencher from Newfoundland or BC really think of an Albertan Minister who is anxiously seeking his Rapture Ascension and feels bowing to all things Israeli is the best and fastest way there...?
If mainstream media asked the hard questions.. independent bloggers would not have to.. Perhaps there's a morality tale right there..
Front Bench Conservative = Mainstream Media
Back Bench Conservative = Independent Blogger ..
Obviously, the Back Bench is a long ways from finding identity..
or morality ... fiber.. or a voice
Obviously, independent bloggers have no such shortfalls
Kudos to Ms Bernardinetti She and your post highlight the crux of the issue, too many are willing to go along in order to get along
ReplyDeleteThank you for your thoughtful response, Salamander. it is quite true, as per the Marshall McLuhan quotation, that I do look at the present through a rear view mirror. Although I am probably to an extent romanticizing the past, I do remember a time when there was some honour attached to the label of 'politician'.
ReplyDeleteYes, party discipline has always been an underlying principle of our system, but before the advent of the destructive hyper- partisanship of today's political scene, the whipped vote helped to bring in some very progressive legislation, none of which is in evidence under the current regime.
Do I expect morality from the immoral? No. But I, and I think countless others, hold on to the hope that increasing public awareness of that immorality may eventually result in a changed political composition. It is one of the hopes, despite my deep cynicism, that keeps me going.