“The time for accountability has arrived.” That’s the very first sentence from Stephen Harper in the 2006 federal Conservative election platform.
A combination of events – the right message (trust us) at the right time (RCMP criminal investigation) resulted in the Harper minority victory. Canadians were mad at the Liberals and were ready for change. Stephen Harper and the Conservatives were perceived as not only an alternative choice but an alternative approach to governing. Polling conducted by Nanos Research for CPAC during the election showed the Harper Tories strong on trust.
In the first year in Tory mandate, Canadians saw Prime Minister Stephen Harper roll out the Federal Accountability Act, which, beyond the details, was a symbol of how a Harper government would conduct itself differently.
Fast forward to 2008 and the political “trust” environment is quite different. A government which was in large part elected in reaction to the Liberals and the advertising and sponsorship scandal now faces a series of trust issues to manage, the most recent flare-up being the Conservative election “in-and-out” scheme that Elections Canada has questioned.
The challenge for the government is the emergence of a narrative that, although it may not be breaking the rules, it is pushing the rules to the limit – be it having discussions with Chuck Cadman related to his vote in the House of Commons, or how it managed its advertising spending during the 2006 federal election.
The first casualty of this narrative is likely to be the perceptions Canadians have of politicians and politics because it taps into a cynicism that already exists. The refrain “they’re all the same” – quickly comes to mind for many Canadians when they describe those we elect to represent us all.
The second casualty is the major distraction that results in the media and in the House of Commons. In January, Nanos-Sun polling showed that Canadians were concerned about the strength of the economy in 2008. Although the broad economic indicators remain steady, polling indicates we are in a psychological recession.
As the opposition parties attempt to take political advantage of the Elections Canada investigation, there are some big issues like the economy, Afghanistan, the environment and healthcare, to name a few, that Canadians are concerned about.
The only potential political beneficiaries of this environment could be the Bloc and the NDP. For BQ leader Gilles Duceppe, the potential erosion of trust for the Conservatives is strategically tailor-made. In one fell swoop he can attack both the Conservatives and the Liberals in Quebec.
The same holds true for NDP leader Jack Layton. On the trust issue, he can attack both the Grits and the Tories and increase his chances of holding onto nervous New Democrats who might consider voting Liberal to block another potential Conservative win. If the 17 year old Lukiwski anti-gay video is any indicator, Layton has to be careful how he attacks the Conservative government. The most recent polling conducted throughout the focus on Lukiwski showed some NDP support in Ontario moving to the Grits – very reminiscent of the 2004 federal election which Harper lost.
To paraphrase the Prime Minister, the time for accountability will come again – at the next election. Canadians will judge all the leaders and parties – not just on how they leveraged political advantage but what they have actually accomplished since 2006.
What do you think?
Cheers,
NJN
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Most Read Comments
Highest Rated Comments
You are absolutely right Nik. The politicians are playing gotcha politics at the... more
hollinm (Saskatchewan) 28 Apr 13:17
Interesting take on things as always. The question I have is: how engaged are th... more
Non-aligned in Toronto (Ontario) 28 Apr 13:23
It would be gratifying to find a political party that was motivated by the wishe... more
Tom Good (British Columbia) 28 Apr 14:55
It will be your nightmare parnel. The Liberal party and its weak leader will ... more
hollinm (Saskatchewan) 03 May 23:25
supper...the Libs asked the RCMP to investigate Cadman. If they think the law ha... more
hollinm (Saskatchewan) 30 Apr 17:56
The Liberals, with Adscam, have no room for being holier than thou.... more
westerner (Alberta) 28 Apr 21:03
Comments
hollinm
You are absolutely right Nik. The politicians are playing gotcha politics at the expense of discussing the important issues of the day.
At this point the faux scandals are not catching on with the public but I agree there could be a cumulative affect on the government.
The Libs are so desperate to find an issue that they can beat the CPC on that they will say or do anything. Leblanc's comments about this being an Enron type scandal concerning the in and out scheme is typical. With their hysterical over the top rhetoric, Canadians will simply tune them out and say a pox in all their houses.
However, when an election comes next Fall there will only be two leaders that can be chosen. That is the incumbent Prime Minister and an Opposition leader who cannot control his own party nor has the support of the majority of his party. As well, on all the leadership polls conducted Dion comes nowhere near Harper on how Canadians perceive Dion's leadership abilities.
So yes, there may be a cumulative affect which may prevent the CPC from getting a majority but it will not allow the Libs even a minority government.
Canada desperately needs a majority government after two minorities. We cannot continue to run the country with a Separatist party controlling a block of votes, opposition parties controlling committees and the important issues facing the country ignored as all parties are in perpetual campaign mode.
[updated Mon Apr 28 13:17:52 EDT 2008]
28 Apr 13:17
135 replies so far. Join this conversationHide this conversation.
Non-aligned in Toronto
Interesting take on things as always. The question I have is: how engaged are the electorate in these accountability issues? They certainly should be, but I hear more buzz about the economy and the US election at the moment.
I suspect that people are seeing these issues in their peripheral vision, that they are registering on the sub-conscious, and will become an issue once an election is called, but for the most part, the front of their mind is engaged in where the economy is going. This is particularly true in Ontario which meay be in a real recession as well as a psychological one.
[updated Mon Apr 28 13:23:59 EDT 2008]
28 Apr 13:23
68 replies so far. Join this conversationHide this conversation.
Tom Good
It would be gratifying to find a political party that was motivated by the wishes of the electorate rather than the political needs of the party. In our recent political history, the party needs seem to get all parties into trouble. Elections are for the incumbents to lose.
With the US being our 80% trading partner, it is difficult for the Canadian economy to run full steam if our major trading partner does not wish to buy our goods. Our softwood lumber industry in British Columbia has been depressed for a number of years due to a drop in American demand and it seems to be the same in the auto industry. George Bush is saying there is no recession in the US and we are hearing the same message in Canada from our political leaders. I believe most of us can look at what is happening and make a valid assessment.
Actually, I do not see the NDP profiting greatly from the Conservative-Liberal divide. In the October 19, 2009 election, the electorate will still view the political choice as either Conservative or Liberal in the central part of Canada with Quebec and the West being different. The way Ontario goes, so goes the land. Scandals in the middle of an election will skew the results, as it did last time around, and a change in leadership for the Liberals will definitely change the fortunes for that party but, all things being equal, Harper will likely triumph with another minority.
[updated Mon Apr 28 14:55:41 EDT 2008]
28 Apr 14:55
27 replies so far. Join this conversationHide this conversation.
Jan from Whitby
This analysis Nik, is right on. The few years in Government for the conservatives has made an enormous difference in perception.
And that can be a big problem in the next election. Wish it were'nt so, but the reality is real.
Thanks for your important work Nik.
[updated Mon Apr 28 16:06:52 EDT 2008]
28 Apr 16:06
41 replies so far. Join this conversationHide this conversation.
hollinm
Jan....don't be too sure. There are only two choices for PM...Harper and Dion.
When Canadians have to make a decision and compare both of these men Harper will come out on top despite all of his perceived flaws.
Don't be fooled by all the pundits and media hype. They have been known to be wrong before.
[updated Mon Apr 28 23:16:43 EDT 2008]
28 Apr 23:16
parnel
Hollimn, you are correct. The media has been wrong before. They all see another minority tory government if an election was held today. I say they are wrng also. Glad we agree.LOL
[updated Tue Apr 29 04:56:45 EDT 2008]
29 Apr 04:56
hollinm
Dion was not in the House today for Question Period. He was at home recovering from wounds incurred when he tripped over his tongue yesterday during QP.
[updated Tue Apr 29 16:21:28 EDT 2008]
29 Apr 16:21
Jan from Whitby
hollinm,Thank you for your comment. I do indeed believe that Mr.Harper is the Choice for PM come next election.And certainly the media and many pundits have been wrong before and they likely will be wrong again.However there is such a thing as reality, which manifest itself in the most unlikely ways.And as Nik Nanos has pointed out so many times perception is a powerful tool used by any one who has an goal to achieve.
And we all know that the Liberals do anything even to the point of creating falsehoods to gain power.They do not care about the country or Canadians for that matter, regardless of all their rethoric.They are a wily bunch and not to be underestimated.
[updated Tue Apr 29 07:56:44 EDT 2008]
29 Apr 07:56
parnel
Jan from Whitby...coming from flaherty's riding makes me wonder about your sense of right and wrong. The people in the Liberal party, contrary to your belief, are very dedicated civil servants and to say otherwise does a disservice to everyone.
Of course they want power back. The yhave the best vision of the country and want to display it and they know that populist politics will divide this country more than anything else.
You need to start your day by seeing how bad your MP performs as a cabinet minister.
[updated Tue Apr 29 09:13:02 EDT 2008]
29 Apr 09:13
Jan from Whitby
Parnel with all due respect,it was Trudea u/Chretien who saddled this Great Country with a deficit of $ 38.6 Billion, and today many liberals try to project that as a deficit left by a Conservative Govt, not this one.And since there is a deafening silence about the odd $ 40. million still owed Canadians flowing from the Sponsorship scandal by the Liberals, I do not think this would qualify as a vision, a vision perhaps to benefit liberal party members.As to Mr. Flaherty well that is another matter, he is taking action and wether these actions are appropriate,time will tell, there is always controversy about any decision no matter who makes it.
In Ontario the Liberal Govt claims that they presented a balanced budget, but they raised the Provincial debt by Billions,, but keep quiet about it. I do agree with you that no doubt there are Liberals who are dedicated and we should respect that.
But I do not believe that the Liberal vision is the best vision for this Great Country, different yes, but not the best.Trudeau messed up this Country like no one else,and Chretien realy gave it the coup de grace.
[updated Tue Apr 29 13:36:09 EDT 2008]
29 Apr 13:36
parnel
Jan, I don't know where you got your numbers on Chretien/Martin but I suggest it was the same fantasy park as hollimn and NRM went to. the only deficits they had were in years one and two of their government out of 13 in total. Onc ethye cleaned up the mess left by Mulroney they did very well.
you must have studied finance with Flaherty in his back yard
[updated Tue Apr 29 16:14:33 EDT 2008]
29 Apr 16:14
Jan from Whitby
Actually, parnel, these numbers are real and they have been posted in all media over the years, but by you asking the question just shows your ignorance.
My question to you is "Are you paid out of the $40.million the Liberals are still owing to the Canadian people?
Your tone of rhetoric reveal you to be a typical Liberal who is getting desparate
and cannot bear the succes of the Harper Govt.
Regardless I wish you a peacefull sleep.
[updated Tue Apr 29 19:52:01 EDT 2008]
29 Apr 19:52
parnel
I am a typical Liberal who is honest and as pissed off as you are that some rogue Liberals in Quebec took advantage of the party.
Your ignorance is that you presume that ALL Liberal party supporters are crooks. Should I relate you to Mulroney, Harper or other deviants that belong to your party. I think you owe an apology.
[updated Tue Apr 29 22:54:02 EDT 2008]
29 Apr 22:54
MRM
That makes no sense. You can't be a Liberal and be honest. Anyone who says that they are must be lying, which of course would make them a great Liberal.
[updated Wed Apr 30 17:57:21 EDT 2008]
30 Apr 17:57
hollinm
parnel...she was talking about Trudeau/Chretien. Read the comments and make an accurate commentary rather than trying to deflect the truth.
[updated Wed Apr 30 17:01:09 EDT 2008]
30 Apr 17:01
hollinm
parnel...that vision would be what?
A carbon tax that will virtually bankrupt ordinary hardworking Canadians.
Raising the GST
Reversing the childcare tax benefit
Spending $62 billion in feel good programs that will result in higher taxes
Come on parnel quit the spin and give Dion's vision for the country. Not platitudes that don't mean much but real measurable ideas.
[updated Tue Apr 29 16:25:30 EDT 2008]
29 Apr 16:25
parnel
Waht's wrong with spending tax dollars collected on things that are good for the Country. We should be a leader in GHG reduction. We are rich enought o afford it and should show leadership.
Reversing the child care benefit would be the first thing I would do as leader of a government. What a waste of money and is simply a buy the vote deal by the unethical tories.
No Liberal government has spent and spent like the drunken tories. Their spending is way above anything the Libs did while in power.
The spin is good government and not populist crap.
[updated Tue Apr 29 16:36:39 EDT 2008]
29 Apr 16:36
hollinm
Oh parnel...so sad...so sad.. Try raising taxes and find out what happens.
However, the Libs will not get the chance and we both know it. So Dion's, Igantieff's and Rae's vision will have to wait another 4 years after the next election. By that time Iggy and Rae will be old men and Dion will be back teaching school.
Read Greg Weston's column in the Sun today. Interesting reading...if you are a Conservative.
[updated Tue Apr 29 16:58:57 EDT 2008]
29 Apr 16:58
hollinm
parnel...jan never mentioned civil servants in her comments. Please don't mislead. She was talking about the Liberal party and they were proven to be corrupt in so many ways while in power.
I won't bore you with all the details but you know as well as I do what these things are because you are actively involved with the party.
You are right on one thing. Canadians will have a choice in the next election. That choice will be reduced taxes, smaller government and a sound economy that creates the necessary fundamentals to grow business and create jobs.
Versus a party that has lost its way. One that will propose wasteful big expenditure programs that do not achieve the intended results i.e. gun registry but will create a huge growth industry in government buraucracy.
More importantly they will need to choose between a proven leader and one who is not able to unite his own party, is fighting from being stabbed to death both in the front (Iggy) and in the back (Rae), figuratively speaking of course, and particularly one who is now proposing to raise taxes significantly on virtually every sector of the country.
Take a look at the Gazette today. Another Crop polls showing Libs at 13% in Francophone Quebec and support softening in the greater Quebec region. The Libs are running behind the NDP in some regions. That does not spell good news for the Libs and your buddy Dion.
[updated Wed Apr 30 16:58:43 EDT 2008]
30 Apr 16:58
hollinm
Jan....I fully agree with your assessment.
The Liberals are indeed a wily bunch and will do or say anything to regain power. There is no real desire on their part to help ordinary Canadians. It is all about power and the ability to advance their self interest.
There is a saying that when you have a Liberal down on the ground put your foot on his throat and don't let him get up. That tells you that they should not be underestimated.
That is why Harper is so tough on the Liberals and ensures he gets his point across even if he comes across as being a bully. There is no party that feigns indignation when they are caught in a lie or doing something illegal as Liberals. If you were watching QP over the last couple of days Polievre pointed out examples of the in and out schemes of all the opposition parties. They are spitting mad but none of them denied what Polievre said. Its on the public record for all to see.
There is something that doesn't quite sit right about the "visit" and the draconian actions being taken by Elections Canada. I think Gerry Nichols may be right.. Elections Canada has a vendetta against Harper and is trying to get even. Going even to the lengths of notifying the CBC and the Liberal party so that they could record the "visit".
Today Polievre quoted from EC's own hand book saying that advice must be given to the "suspect" that it was possible for the Commissioner to get a court order. According to Polievre and CPC lawyers that advice was never given. It is possible that EC may have broken their own rules before "visiting" the party HQs of the CPC. Time will tell who is right but I smell a rat here and EC is going to have to explain their actions and justify them in court.
With Polievre reciting examples of the in and out scheme in the House everyday and repeating the mantra that they all do the same thing this faux scandal is going to disappear in the next couple of days.
Will the Liberals return to asking serious questions? Not likely.
[updated Tue Apr 29 16:20:04 EDT 2008]
29 Apr 16:20
parnel
I see the Tories are going full out in damge control mode and I'm fine with that. Someone mentioned to me today it seems like they are throwing every plausible story at this to see if something sticks. EC will go to court because they now have no choice and the tories can continue to thrw stuff at it. This is fun to watch them squirm.
The EC has lawyers who must have advised them on their legal avenues. So, I will stick with that view as the Tories cannot be trusted which is the prevailing view of many these days.
Will the Liberals return to serious questions in the house? They would if there was someone intelligent enough to answer them. Not likely any time soon.
[updated Tue Apr 29 16:56:02 EDT 2008]
29 Apr 16:56
hollinm
In case you missed the previous link I sent to you. Here it is again.
http://www.thestar.com:80/comment/article/419264
There is something really wrong here and Polievre tabled documents today showing that EC changed the rules after the 2006 election. You may not like it but the opposition parties are getting it in spades. They will need to change their line of attack because they are being exposed as hypocrites everyday.
By no means are the Cons running for cover they are simply pointing out that what they did was within the rules at the time and all parties participated in the practice.
In fact Harper read a report from 2002 where the Bloc sued one of its candidates for not participating in the in and out scheme against EC advice. The candidate lost because the rules were in place to allow the very type of thing the Cons are being accused of doing. Harper got a great line out with this exchange with Duceppe calling him the Father of the In and Out scheme. Polievre followed up calling the Bloc House Leader the son of the In and Out scheme.
While a lot of QP is mundane stuff there are pearls there and you should watch it. You may learn something. Open your eyes parnel. Don't be myopic.
You will get answers to serious questions once we can understand what the "leader of the opposition" is asking. It sounds like jibberish.
Serious questions, without fabrication and distortion, will get a serious answer but until that happens politics will be played on all sides including the government.
[updated Wed Apr 30 17:11:15 EDT 2008]
30 Apr 17:11
Jan from Whitby
hollinm ,your commentary as given is an excellent summary of the facts,we will let parnel steam in his swet.
[updated Tue Apr 29 19:44:42 EDT 2008]
29 Apr 19:44
parnel
Jan from Whitby...you are as ignorant as your MP with the dumb comments ypu produce here. MY sweat has somewhat helped make Canada the economic powerhouse it is. What have you done besides be a whiner?
[updated Tue Apr 29 22:56:49 EDT 2008]
29 Apr 22:56
hollinm
parnel you really need to improve the tone of your comments. Attacking people personally is beneath you.
If you cannot put forward a point and support that point with specifics then even your commentary is not worth reading. Making wild accusations without evidence to support them really does a disservice to those of us who want a legitimate political debate.
The Conservative government is not a Liberal government and so they naturally will do things differently (at least we can hope that is the case). Because they do things differently does not mean they are wrong. Time always proves whether a particular action is good or bad.
A case in point is Chretien's campaigning against the PC party on tearing up the Free Trade Agreement in the 1993 election. He made all kinds of outrageous statements about losing our sovereignty etc but when he got elected he embraced it. As a result of Chretien's decision to leave the FTA in place Canada has enjoyed unprecedented prosperity.
So despite the over the top rhetoric of opposition parties there are many things that they approve of the government doing i.e. reducing corporate taxes but rail at it for partisan advantage while in opposition.
Here is a column in the Toronto Star of all places on one reporters view of the so called in and out scheme. Hopefully you will get the link and read it.
http://www.thestar.com:80/comment/article/419264
[updated Wed Apr 30 16:45:16 EDT 2008]
30 Apr 16:45
parnel
I put forth many points................ all valid and I call a spade a spade.
[updated Thu May 01 04:28:46 EDT 2008]
01 May 04:28
hollinm
all valid.....Only in your Liberal mind.
[updated Fri May 02 00:16:28 EDT 2008]
02 May 00:16
MRM
hollinm – Parnel translation - “calling a spade a spade” – make something up to support my case and call it a fact.
[updated Fri May 02 11:19:24 EDT 2008]
02 May 11:19
MRM
hollinm – Parnel translation of “call a spade a spade” – make something up to support my case and call it a fact.
[updated Fri May 02 11:45:20 EDT 2008]
02 May 11:45
hollinm
You note how bitter parnel's comments are becoming. He can only slag, ridicule and malign anybody who differs with him.
He knows the Libs are losing the battle on the in and out issue and he knows his illustrious leader, Dion, is crashing and burning in Quebec.
Note the new Crop poll in Quebec reported today by the Gazette. Even the NDP is beating the Libs in Francophone Quebec.
I sent him a number of accomplishments that the Harper government has achieved and his only rebuttal was they eliminated income trusts and therefore broke an election promise.
You and I could go through a litany of broken promises the Libs had over 13 years starting with eliminating the GST, cancelling the North American Free Trade Agreement and promising a national childcare program for 13 years.
So parnel's only come back is to accuse the Conservatives of all manner of things without ever providing a shred of proof.
Here is a link to a column in the Toronto Star of all places. Hopefully you will get it and can read it about the so called in and out scheme.
http://www.thestar.com:80/comment/article/419264
[updated Wed Apr 30 16:33:23 EDT 2008]
30 Apr 16:33
parnel
You only emphasize the good things and avoid the major blunders this government has or is creating as I make sure you see the whole picture from a different perspective.
[updated Wed Apr 30 17:51:24 EDT 2008]
30 Apr 17:51
hollinm
I only emphasize the good things because you are sure to point out all the bad things (in your mind) that this government is doing.
The other day I sent you a pile of accomplishments. You didn't respond other than to say the government broke its income trust promise.
I know it cost you money but my understanding is there was a 4 year window before the rules kicked in and the market has rebounded.
If that is the only major policy broken promise I think the Cons are doing pretty good.
Major blunders are only in the eye of the beholder parnel.
Would you like me to send you the list of accomplishments again just to refresh your memory? These after two years of minority government.
If you would like to repeat what you think are the major policy blunders, other than faux scandals, I would be happy to respond.
[updated Wed Apr 30 18:52:51 EDT 2008]
30 Apr 18:52
parnel
Hollimn comment....."So parnel's only come back is to accuse the Conservatives of all manner of things without ever providing a shred of proof."
Shame on you for setting out lies. I bring lots of proof here but it seems there is a lot of blinders on and or blind people.
What proof do you have that Dion is incompetent since that is your mantra here mostly.
And why do you deny polls even great ones that are put out by our host who has been dead on the money in the last two elections,the only pollster to even come close. Where's your proof that they are wrong as you are wont to state?
[updated Thu May 01 04:35:20 EDT 2008]
01 May 04:35
hollinm
What's your proof that Dion is incompetent (or weak):
-large number in his own party believe he is incompetent
-media, punditry are laughing at him
-polls suggest he is not seen as a leader (by Nik)
-inability to unite the party
-inability to show he is decisive and able to control the caucus. It leaks like a sieve.
-inability to stop the leadership rivals from continuing to campaign for his job (Iggy).
-inability to attract qualified Quebec lieutenant (they all refused)
-inability to put forward a vision other than abstaining on every confidence vote
-unwillingness to take a position as the leader of the official opposition even though it might mean an election.
-keeps threatening to bring down the government but bails out when the confidence vote comes.
-can't speak the language of the majority despite having been in government for 10 years and did not consider it a priority to ensure he can effectively communicate with the majority of Canadians.
-suggesting policies that would require massive increases in spending resulting in higher taxes i.e. carbon tax, Kelowna Accord, national daycare etc. etc. etc.
Here's a few for starters parnel. I know you will deny or dispute every one of these facts but you would be wrong. You are biased in your opinion and so do not recognize what the rest of us see.
The polls are showing that at best the Libs and the Cons are tied. At best it is not a ringing endorsement for either party.
However, the polls are clear on leadership. Dion is in the tank.
The polls are also clear in Quebec. Crops who specializes in Quebec politics consistently shows the Libs runing 3rd or 4th outside the island of Montreal. The Cons are the second choice behing the Bloc in Francophone Quebec.
You need to accept the reality of the situation. You leader is the leader of a GTA caucus and a few from the Maritimes. That's it. He will not win many seats west of Ontario.
[updated Fri May 02 00:33:59 EDT 2008]
02 May 00:33
parnel
You who say the press has a herd mentality should be ashamed of your "proof".
The fact remains that Dion is popular within his party but also runs an open party as opposed to another one we know well. Of course there is dissension and there has always been in the Liberal party because it is open. Leadership will show up during the next election trust me. The plan is unfolding and Dion does not need to be over the top because Harper is destroying his party's chances on his own.
Speak all you want about weakness in Quebec but anyone who knows politics understands that quebec voters are nothing if not volatile. Harper went from nothing to 10 seats last election and could just as easily blow those in the next election. Charest who has regained his own popularity will not be seen in public with Harper and guess who he will now help in the next election with his well oiled machine. Harper tried to befriend the right wing guy Dumont there and that has failed because Dumont has proven to be very weak. Yes, today he is somewhat more popular there but time is not on his side. If he was truly popular Charest would be alongside him and Charest knows how to read the tea leaves very well.
The polls continuously show The Libs and Tories are neck and neck nationally yet you continue to be in denial. As for only winning the GTA dream again. They are at close to 50% in the provincial polling done and Mcguinty is working hard to discredit Harper/Flaherty every day and its working. Flaherty gave us a gift that will keep on giving with his stupid tirade. So go back to your wet dreams...but you will be in opposition after the next election with around 75 seats total.
[updated Fri May 02 07:58:23 EDT 2008]
02 May 07:58
MRM
hollinm - Don't be to hard on Parnel. It is not that he does not want to offer proof for his outlandish staements (at least the coherant ones anyway), it is just that he has none to offer because he made them all up.
[updated Fri May 02 11:49:51 EDT 2008]
02 May 11:49
hollinm
Okay but it will be hard.
[updated Fri May 02 21:29:17 EDT 2008]
02 May 21:29
Tom Good
Hello Jan: In my opinion, I believe your last paragraph is off the mark in a couple of ways. I believe all politicians care about the country and Canadians but their management styles vary and their policies vary. I further believe the minority government has caused the worst display of political pettiness, scratching and clawing we have seen in the House for many decades and all parties are quite skilled here. Politicians, for the most part, are a wily bunch and will ably skirt the truth for political advantage-----politicians come in all colours, have mastered the art of double-speak and, with a straight face at times, will argue that black is white. I do not think for a moment these "political skills" are restricted only to the House-----wherever money and power are mixed, you will find the same "negatives", if you wish.
[updated Tue Apr 29 23:43:30 EDT 2008]