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At least if you are a reactionary in the Harper vein. First came the bad polling news showing increasing numbers of Canadians growing increasingly suspicious and weary of the relentless divide-and-conquer tactics of the so-called master tactician. Then came some stinging rebukes from that old icon of conservatism, Preston Manning, who, over the weekend, suggested that it is time for the Harper regime to start focusing on policy rather than politics, perhaps a veiled way of suggesting it might be time 'to try that sincerity thing.'
Even that once-trusted source of cabal strategy, Tom Flanagan, weighed in as he told an audience at the Manning Centre that the Conservatives are paying a price for the “perceived hyper-partisanship of the prime minister.”
Ah, but the abuse of the reactionary Harper mind-set continued beyond the confines of Manning's think-tank. In yesterday's Star, Haroon Siddiqui showed that he has Harper's number as well.
Entitled How Stephen Harper divides and conquers our many minorities, his piece begins with what many would agree is an accurate assessment of the chief failing of the prime minister:
Stephen Harper governs not so much for Canada as for his Conservative party. He used to do it by stealth. Now he does it openly.
He cites as evidence the following:
The Fair Elections Act, which will gut the power of the chief elections officer Marc Mayrand (who had taken the Tories to court for breaking election laws) and make it more difficult for voters to cast ballots but easier for political parties to raise money.
John Baird’s trip to the Ukraine, which excluded any opposition party members, thereby allowing the Harper regime to take full credit for its 'concern' over events there.
The government’s boycott of the opposition from the Aga Khan’s speech Friday at Massey Hall. As Haroon notes, even Chrystia Freeland, the riding's MP, was frozen out.
And so it goes on. All of this deeply repugnant partisanship is part of a well-established pattern — Harper’s “you are with us or against us” approach to governing; his hijacking of Canadian foreign policy to serve Conservative interests.
Increasing numbers of Canadians seem to be awakening to the truly odious nature of Harper's rule. This can only be seen as an encouraging sign of the possibility of regime change in the near future.
Harper has worked hard to hide who he is, Lorne. But now he has no clothes -- and nowhere to hide.
ReplyDeleteLet us hope that his exposure will prove politically fatal, Owen.
DeleteI sense that people who were relatively indifferent before are becoming genuinely tired to his relentless hyper-partisan ways. It's been long known that he wasn't considered likeable by most Canadians but he hasn't been able to shed his aloof, arrogant and manipulative manner. I think the Canadian people are saying "enough."
ReplyDeleteThe more they see him, Mound, the more they learn of his repugnant nature. Let's hope that will start to turn the tide.
Delete.. Owen has it nailed.. Lorne. Describing the classic camouflage of the sociopath. But truly speaking.. or at least now.. Harper cares not. No more than Tom Flanagan cares. They hide in plain sight.. as 'distinguished fellows' .. or elected economists
ReplyDeleteAlways remember the classic Tom Wolfe story regarding Marshall McLuhan..
On entering a dockside bar for lunch during an 'economic' conference with various TransAmerica execs, all were taken aback by the naked women on stage ... one declaring, 'they're naked!!' All except M McLuhan who instantly declared, 'they're not naked, they're wearing us!'
We are stark raving naked Lorne.. and we are wearing Stephen Harper, Jason Kenney, John Baird et al & sheltering not only their myths.. but their fallacies and their crimes in the name of 'Values', Economy & Jobs. And they know they are wearing us & can get away with being naked..
After all.. who dares to point out their naked arses ? Mass media instead awards them raincoats of immunity or invisibility & presumed capability ! And a huge majority of very civil Canadians go along with the scam like well behaved sheep, rather than grabbing pots and pans and wooden spoons.
Mayor Ford of Toronto is a wondrous forerunner.. crack smoking, obstructive, evasive, litigating & drinking/driving, out of control, out of touch.. a media darling, 'you can't touch me' .. He's just like Harper, but a civil election version with far less 'reserve' .. and fewer tax paid law firms, spies, MP's, Ministers, PMO pricks, pollsters, robowanks and off the grid apparatchiks
Yes, Salamander, our bland civility has worked to our detriment when it comes to putting up with the likes of Harper et al. And I do worry about how the myth of economic rectitude and competence is spun by all of the enablers. But, on the other hand, historically we have shown that after a certain time spent in office, the ruling party wearies people, who, for whatever reasons, want a fresh face. I am hoping that will be the case in the next election.
Delete.. I do want to 'work' the idea of 'environmental strippers' as well as the concept of Harper's attack on 'Critical Habitat', Lorne. After all, its not just the fish, bear, eagles he and his loutpack & Energy Policy Partners attack.. its the biped Canadians under attack as well..
DeleteThat's the Harper Way .. indirect but constant attack.. chase the herd, attack the weak, strip and legislate against 'critical habitat' to win elections, rule the land.. and as his fine American friend Tom Flanagan related.. that's the way of a partisan, fat, ideologically empty, always hungry emporial predator.. canibalism
Your metaphors here, Salamander, are as apt as always!
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