A great letter to the editor in The Globe and Mail, today.....
Don’t count (on it)
In one master stroke, Stephen Harper has: 1) comforted a micro-base of Canadian voters who hate guv’mint meddlin’ and can be trusted not to understand the deterioration in government services that will accrue with bad census data; 2) cemented the loyalty of a larger base that doesn’t think marginalized Canadians (who will be underrepresented in future censuses) should count in policy formulation anyway; 3) purged our civil service of yet another independent, competent administrator who (like Linda Keen et al.) was in the habit of speaking truth to power; 4) kneecapped a potential leadership rival by forcing the once-popular Tony Clement to bolster this partisan ploy with a hopeless farrago of pseudo-reasons.
The Prime Minister should take a bow – then put the census back where he found it (Long-Form Testimonial – editorial July 28).
M.J. McKenty, Winnipeg
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Friday, July 09, 2010
Why We Need to Get Rid of this Government....a cumulative list
1. Recent appointment of David Johnson as Governor General. Another white, male, privileged affluent person.
2. The hypocracy of the PM who lauded the Queen as one of our "best players" on her recent tour, but is on record as wanting to be rid of the Monarchy in this country.
3. His tepid support for GG Jean throughout her term as GG. He should be embarassed, but isn't.
4. Spending $3 billion on the G8/G20 summits. Why did he separate them? Oh yes, wanted to give gifts to Tony Clement's riding, and he did. Millions, for fewer than 15 hours in Huntsville.
5. Decision to close penitentiary farms. He really thinks that these inmates are being trained for becoming farmers. No, Mr Harper, they are being trained to learn things that have gotten them into trouble: not meeting deadlines, not being responsible for their own "stuff," not being part of society in a positive way.
6. Building more and larger prisons.
7. Appointment late July 9th of a failed Tory candidate to the Senate. Has this man no pride??? [budget passed, surprise!, on July 12th]
8. July12. Today it is announced that the long census form will no longer be compulsory to those who get it. it will be mailed out to a few thousand, and return is voluntary. Now, what in the world will be learned, of any use, from this exercise? Only the motivated will do it. The snapshot will be skewed....apparently an effort to "save money and be transparent." Not very likely.
9. July 18. Harper "hides" a lot of non-budget items in the budget. This is how he gets changes to all kinds of programs through, since he knows that the would be a big stink if these items were introduced in Parliament, or if Parliament were sitting and the Opposition got a chance in Question Period. He is a man without conscience.
10. July 22. the head of Stats Can has resigned. This due to what is political interference from the government, especially the Minister, Tony Clement, but probably undeer the orders of Stephen Harper. The long census was resuced to being given to a few, and they are to answer it voluntarily. Any first year student knows that any info gathered under these circumstances is, at best, anecdotal.
11. July 22. Former Minister Helena Guergis has been cleared of any bad behaviour by the RCMP. She was fired from the cabinet, put on the back benches, and told that she would not be able to run for the Conservatives at the next election (is that a booby prize or a gift???). Now, her reputation has been badly tarnished. All this caused by a PM who acted much too quickly, then acted as judge and jury.
He is a man who has never considered the First Nations story of "walking a mile in another's moccasins."
If you haven't read this, do, Then you'll understand a bit more about our little tyrant.
http://communities.canada.com/vancouversun/print.aspx?postid=238678
12. July 28. The head of Stats Canada resigns because of interference from Cement and Harper. StatsCan told them that the long census form is essential. Then Clement said that StatsCan agreed with making the form voluntary. This is a plain and simple lie. Probably not the only one from this government.
13. July 28. There is internal revolt in the RCMP against the Harper-appointed civilian head of the RCMP. This man is a Harperite of the first order: arrogant, bossy, given to anger fits, "my way or the highway" person.
14. August 6. Today Harper names bull terrier John Baird as government House Leader. Harper, in spite of what he says, must be pining for a fall election f he puts Baird in charge of getting the government's agenda through. He's argumentative, arrogant, stubborn, and always right; a sure recipe for aggrevating MPs (even ones in his own party!!)
15. August 14. Harper allows Minister Tony Clement take the fall for HIS decision to make the long census form voluntary rather than essential. Can't Harper own up to his own decisions? Allow a minister to take the blame? Ethical behaviour? Nope.
16. August 14. Harper also hangs minister vic Toews out to dry on the Tamil boatload that arrived in Victoria yesterday. You can just hear it, "You step up and speak, Vic. I'm right behind you (in the shadows)."
17. August 18. The chief of the long gun registry, a senior RCMP officer, is sent off for second language training. What? Second language training, aftere he has been in that position for 9 months? The PM says there was no political interference (even though Harper is strongly opposed to the LGR). This PM has taken himself to the point that NO ONE believes him, and many of us think he lies outright. I am one of those.
18. August 17. Veterans' ombudsman, a retired colonel in the Canadian forces, Pat Stogran, hs been told his appointment will not be renewed in November. It is common knowledge that he has advocated for better treatment, conditions, pensions etc for Canadian forces, particularly those injured in battle (or suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder). He has spoken out repeatedly about this situation, echoed by forces who have retired from service. Harper has said he will not re-appoint this outspoken advocate. Why doesn't harper DO something about the situation that our forces have often denounced? Easier to get rid of an irritant than it is to be compassionate towards service people? It is impossible to understand Harper's core values, his religious orientation. Few of us would understand a religious framework that supports lying, is lacking in compassion, and that places a senior public servant at the centre of government. We MUST get rid of this man who is destroying the Canada that WE know and love.
19. week of August 23rd. Harper demands much money be spent on his photo-op trip to the north: fighter planes, scuba diving armed forces, a helicopter to take him about 200 yards, on and on. All these were just so he (with glasses, no contact lenses) could be shown actually "doing something" in and for the north. He is not. Everything he announced will come to pass in over 5 years, if at all.
20. September 10. Harper promises the Diefenbaker Centre in Saskatoon $1.3 million for renos (which it desperately needs, and I support). This is only a promise. As one wag said "don't start the renos till you have the cheque in hand." One of Harper's "promises" that mostly never happen. And they wonder why citizens are sceptical of promises given by politicans.
21. September 10. Promise over $200 million for an arena in Quebec City? Oh yes, for hockey and for Quebec's hoped-for bid for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games. Oh yes, for votes. Well, he should remember that Brad Wall has his hand out for a new facility in Regina for football, concerts, etc. And every premier will have his/her hand out! So much for transparency, openness, no pork-barrelling (don't notice the Senate ppointments). NOTE: As of September 13, the mayor of Moncton has his hand out for $$$ for HIS city's new facility! Get in line!
UPDATE: 3PM ON SEPTEMBER 13th, Harper starts backtracking.......
22. update September 21. Harper has pledged $200 million over 5 years to support Canada's vets, particularly those who are hurt on the field. The question really is why did it take outrage and complaint by the vets themselves, in unision with the Military Ombudsman, to get Harper to be compassionate (well, more compassionate. He'll not win the prize for compassion, ever). And, how far will this amount of money go? Probably not as far as it looks.
23. September 23rd. Commons voted to retain the long gun registry last night. (thankfully). The PM says "this party will not rest till the long gun registry is closed down" (or words to that effect.) And some of his ministers say this will be an election issue. Now, give us a break. There are so many other issues in this country that should be election issues before this one. The PM's comment only re-inforces the idea that he is an obsessive man, with little vision for our country. Maybe a "one trick pony" would be a better description.
24. October 3. And all this time, the PM has allowed Guergis to be written about and gossiped about without even giving her the courtesy of a meeting to explain why he turfed her from the cabinet, and the caucus. This is the behaviour of a coward.
25. October 5. As one opposition member said, this government just "makes it up as it goes along." There weren't 1000 emails a day about the long census form, as Maxime Bernier said. Most of us would call this lying.
2. The hypocracy of the PM who lauded the Queen as one of our "best players" on her recent tour, but is on record as wanting to be rid of the Monarchy in this country.
3. His tepid support for GG Jean throughout her term as GG. He should be embarassed, but isn't.
4. Spending $3 billion on the G8/G20 summits. Why did he separate them? Oh yes, wanted to give gifts to Tony Clement's riding, and he did. Millions, for fewer than 15 hours in Huntsville.
5. Decision to close penitentiary farms. He really thinks that these inmates are being trained for becoming farmers. No, Mr Harper, they are being trained to learn things that have gotten them into trouble: not meeting deadlines, not being responsible for their own "stuff," not being part of society in a positive way.
6. Building more and larger prisons.
7. Appointment late July 9th of a failed Tory candidate to the Senate. Has this man no pride??? [budget passed, surprise!, on July 12th]
8. July12. Today it is announced that the long census form will no longer be compulsory to those who get it. it will be mailed out to a few thousand, and return is voluntary. Now, what in the world will be learned, of any use, from this exercise? Only the motivated will do it. The snapshot will be skewed....apparently an effort to "save money and be transparent." Not very likely.
9. July 18. Harper "hides" a lot of non-budget items in the budget. This is how he gets changes to all kinds of programs through, since he knows that the would be a big stink if these items were introduced in Parliament, or if Parliament were sitting and the Opposition got a chance in Question Period. He is a man without conscience.
10. July 22. the head of Stats Can has resigned. This due to what is political interference from the government, especially the Minister, Tony Clement, but probably undeer the orders of Stephen Harper. The long census was resuced to being given to a few, and they are to answer it voluntarily. Any first year student knows that any info gathered under these circumstances is, at best, anecdotal.
11. July 22. Former Minister Helena Guergis has been cleared of any bad behaviour by the RCMP. She was fired from the cabinet, put on the back benches, and told that she would not be able to run for the Conservatives at the next election (is that a booby prize or a gift???). Now, her reputation has been badly tarnished. All this caused by a PM who acted much too quickly, then acted as judge and jury.
He is a man who has never considered the First Nations story of "walking a mile in another's moccasins."
If you haven't read this, do, Then you'll understand a bit more about our little tyrant.
http://communities.canada.com/vancouversun/print.aspx?postid=238678
12. July 28. The head of Stats Canada resigns because of interference from Cement and Harper. StatsCan told them that the long census form is essential. Then Clement said that StatsCan agreed with making the form voluntary. This is a plain and simple lie. Probably not the only one from this government.
13. July 28. There is internal revolt in the RCMP against the Harper-appointed civilian head of the RCMP. This man is a Harperite of the first order: arrogant, bossy, given to anger fits, "my way or the highway" person.
14. August 6. Today Harper names bull terrier John Baird as government House Leader. Harper, in spite of what he says, must be pining for a fall election f he puts Baird in charge of getting the government's agenda through. He's argumentative, arrogant, stubborn, and always right; a sure recipe for aggrevating MPs (even ones in his own party!!)
15. August 14. Harper allows Minister Tony Clement take the fall for HIS decision to make the long census form voluntary rather than essential. Can't Harper own up to his own decisions? Allow a minister to take the blame? Ethical behaviour? Nope.
16. August 14. Harper also hangs minister vic Toews out to dry on the Tamil boatload that arrived in Victoria yesterday. You can just hear it, "You step up and speak, Vic. I'm right behind you (in the shadows)."
17. August 18. The chief of the long gun registry, a senior RCMP officer, is sent off for second language training. What? Second language training, aftere he has been in that position for 9 months? The PM says there was no political interference (even though Harper is strongly opposed to the LGR). This PM has taken himself to the point that NO ONE believes him, and many of us think he lies outright. I am one of those.
18. August 17. Veterans' ombudsman, a retired colonel in the Canadian forces, Pat Stogran, hs been told his appointment will not be renewed in November. It is common knowledge that he has advocated for better treatment, conditions, pensions etc for Canadian forces, particularly those injured in battle (or suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder). He has spoken out repeatedly about this situation, echoed by forces who have retired from service. Harper has said he will not re-appoint this outspoken advocate. Why doesn't harper DO something about the situation that our forces have often denounced? Easier to get rid of an irritant than it is to be compassionate towards service people? It is impossible to understand Harper's core values, his religious orientation. Few of us would understand a religious framework that supports lying, is lacking in compassion, and that places a senior public servant at the centre of government. We MUST get rid of this man who is destroying the Canada that WE know and love.
19. week of August 23rd. Harper demands much money be spent on his photo-op trip to the north: fighter planes, scuba diving armed forces, a helicopter to take him about 200 yards, on and on. All these were just so he (with glasses, no contact lenses) could be shown actually "doing something" in and for the north. He is not. Everything he announced will come to pass in over 5 years, if at all.
20. September 10. Harper promises the Diefenbaker Centre in Saskatoon $1.3 million for renos (which it desperately needs, and I support). This is only a promise. As one wag said "don't start the renos till you have the cheque in hand." One of Harper's "promises" that mostly never happen. And they wonder why citizens are sceptical of promises given by politicans.
21. September 10. Promise over $200 million for an arena in Quebec City? Oh yes, for hockey and for Quebec's hoped-for bid for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games. Oh yes, for votes. Well, he should remember that Brad Wall has his hand out for a new facility in Regina for football, concerts, etc. And every premier will have his/her hand out! So much for transparency, openness, no pork-barrelling (don't notice the Senate ppointments). NOTE: As of September 13, the mayor of Moncton has his hand out for $$$ for HIS city's new facility! Get in line!
UPDATE: 3PM ON SEPTEMBER 13th, Harper starts backtracking.......
22. update September 21. Harper has pledged $200 million over 5 years to support Canada's vets, particularly those who are hurt on the field. The question really is why did it take outrage and complaint by the vets themselves, in unision with the Military Ombudsman, to get Harper to be compassionate (well, more compassionate. He'll not win the prize for compassion, ever). And, how far will this amount of money go? Probably not as far as it looks.
23. September 23rd. Commons voted to retain the long gun registry last night. (thankfully). The PM says "this party will not rest till the long gun registry is closed down" (or words to that effect.) And some of his ministers say this will be an election issue. Now, give us a break. There are so many other issues in this country that should be election issues before this one. The PM's comment only re-inforces the idea that he is an obsessive man, with little vision for our country. Maybe a "one trick pony" would be a better description.
24. October 3. And all this time, the PM has allowed Guergis to be written about and gossiped about without even giving her the courtesy of a meeting to explain why he turfed her from the cabinet, and the caucus. This is the behaviour of a coward.
25. October 5. As one opposition member said, this government just "makes it up as it goes along." There weren't 1000 emails a day about the long census form, as Maxime Bernier said. Most of us would call this lying.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)