I've had it with Canadian politics

Toronto Sun ^ | December 31, 2002 | Hartley Steward

[Clive]

I will remember 2002 as the year I became completely, irrevocably disillusioned with government in Canada.

The year was a legislative wasteland. Politics - not good government, not any kind of government, really - occupied the minds of our elected representatives, to the exclusion of most everything else.

I suppose Prime Minister Jean Chretien's long goodbye, designed only for the political purpose of interfering with the ambitions of rival Paul Martin, helped immeasurably with the loss of what little faith I had remaining, but the guy who almost nailed it down for good was the ubiquitous and transparent Allan Rock.

Taking a day or two away from fundraising for his never-ending leadership campaign, he built a rationale for the $1-billion gun registry overrun. I could feel the bottom dropping out of my faith. When he criticized his leadership rival, Martin, for not standing behind the debacle, I knew I was nearing the end.

When Rock said, with a straight face, he was proud of the program, I was damn near there. He stood in front of the press and declared his pride in a program that by any standard one cared to apply, was a boondoggle of biblical proportions.

He was singing the praises of a cock-up which has caused a serious divide in the country, has given rise to conspiracy theories that make paranoid Americans look like pikers, has gobbled up almost $1 billion more than projected, and missed every self imposed deadline so far. As a Canadian voter, listening to Rock, I never felt more stupid.

No, I take that back. According to a year-end poll, Canadian voter support for the federal Liberal party was still high enough - post-gun registry revelations - to ensure a fourth majority Liberal government if an election were held that day. That's even more stupid.

If my disillusionment with government was on a non-stop downhill slide in 2002, my disillusionment with the Canadian voters was keeping pace. It has always been my belief that the only truly legit role of a national government is the defence of the nation. You can divvy up responsibility among other levels of politicians for education, health care, roads, etc., but the defence of a country's citizens is in the hands of the national government, no argument.

Armed forces underfunded

Our national government has turned over the responsibility to the United States by refusing to fund in any substantial way our armed forces. Our prime minister just downright doesn't like the military. "They're always asking for something," he says.

Unfortunately, he doesn't much like the United States, either.

Canada finds itself in the excruciatingly embarrassing position of depending on America for protection in an increasingly hostile world while our government badmouths - in the most mealy-mouthed, self-righteous fashion - American policy; indeed, America itself.

It is impossible to argue with commentators in the American media who have called us on our refusal to pull our weight. "Canada has ceased to be a serious country," one said. Another referred to us as "Canukistan" and "a country looking for a free lunch."

For me, it's difficult to think of more embarrassing time to be a Canadian. No, I take that back. Specifically, when the prime minister's mouthpiece referred to the American president in public as a "moron." That was more embarrassing.

My disillusionment

If my disillusionment on the federal level was nearing completion, on the provincial level in 2002 Ernie Eves was doing his best to make sure my belief in government was not revived.

Backing away from every initiative, including tax cuts, his predecessor, Mike Harris, began, Eves gives every indication of bringing back big, spend-till-you-drop government with a vengeance.

While Harris spent two rough-and-tumble terms proving you could stand up to special interests and implement your own agenda, by 2002, Eves was actually looking for groups to which he could completely cave in the interests of showing how sensitive his Tories could be.

His government's handling of the proposed Hydro privatization - dropping it entirely - was so political it caused a case of envy among federal Liberals. The new Eves scheme set the price of provincial votes at $75 - has yours been bought yet? - and ensured the debilitating provincial debt run up by Ontario Hydro would continue to grow and seriously limit the province's economic growth in the future.

The enthusiasm with which the Eves Tories abandoned conservative policy, indeed, any sort of conservative thinking, has probably made inevitable the election of a Liberal government in the province next year.

Welcome to 2003.

[Clive]

-

[ContentiousObjector]

It's not Chreiten's fault the canadian opposition is a bunch of dysfunctional losers

[taxcontrol]

As an American, I have always been puzzled by our Canadian neighbors. The VAST majority of Canadians I know are christian in their religion and conservative in their politics. Yet they continue to electe liberal socialists as their leaders. It is something about the Canadian existance that I do not understand.

[headsonpikes]

I'd hate to live in Toronto, also!

These poor, provincial Ontariarioans should wake up, swallow their Family Compact pride, and vote Alliance.

As for provincial politics...hahaha! No sympathy. ;^)

[Malcolm]

Although I have never cared for Canada's foreign policy, for me this too was a year that further disgusted me with that nation and her people. It's just as much the Canadian people's fault as it is the current gov't's.

It's a nation that, except for Quebec, has no distinctive culture apart from the US, and therefore feels it has to strike a contrast with the next door US in order to demonstrate its "differences" and "independence" from it. It doesn't help to have the PMs continually come from Quebec, which all but the short-lived Joe Clark of 1979 have originated from since '68, and we all know how charitably those of French background view the US on any given day. So a less than cordial stance from the Canadian gov't is always expected.

So I hope that you Canadians don't mind if we Americans show a little "independence" of our own, when, if conditions are present that necessitate action, we attack Iraq, and continue our pursuit of Al Queada, without your approval, consent, opinions, or cooperation.....

[11Bush]

So I hope that you Canadians don't mind if we Americans show a little "independence" of our own, when, if conditions are present that necessitate action, we attack Iraq, and continue our pursuit of Al Queada, without your approval, consent, opinions, or cooperation.....

Like they can do squat about it anyway.

[canuckwest]

It is basically caused by the ongoing pandering from Central Canada to Quebec in order to counter separatist threats. Electing a Quebec Liberal as Prime Minister guarantees that Quebec will stay within Confederation. Ergo, Central Canadians hold their noses and vote in another slate of Liberal Socialists as an act of appeasement. Here in Western Canada, we we are fed up with Quebec, it's hypocritical blackmailing tactics and would not be unhappy to see them go. Canadian politics is a classic example of Political correctness and affirmative action policies gone mad, supported by a gutless Eastern based media and an effective Liberal propaganda machine.As this article points out, many think it is too late to repair the damage these Liberals have done to a very fragile Country. If you were to design a modern Nation based on geography,ethnicity linguistic, economic and religious foundations, it would not look like Canada. It worked while Canadians were supported by strong ties to Great Britain and until recently, Uncle Sam. Britain no longer cares and the minority Socialist Anti-American elements have seriously alienated America.The upshot is that the electorate fears that if they do not vote the status quo, Canada will fragment into a series of vulnerable mini states.Western Canadada, being more Conservative, wealthier and self reliant could manage on it's own as could Ontario. As for the rest, they would quickly adopt third world status without federal economic support programs and Robin Hood transfer payments which have long guaranteed their standards of living.

[taxcontrol]

Sad state of affairs. Such solutions of convience often tend to make the problems worse over time.

Personnally, I'd like to see Western Canada become it's own country and would very much consider moving there if there were Constitutional protections simular to the bill of rights. In short, if western Canada became more concervative that central America, I would imagine that you would find an influx of Americans.

Actually I would like to see the establishment of a Meritocracy. The population divided into citizens (full rights), residents (some rights), aliens (a few rights), criminals (little rights) and slaves ( no rights - criminals convicted of a capital offence who decides to become a slave rather than be executed). But that is a totally different discussion.

Not sure that you would consider an influx of Americans a good thing though

[Canadian Outrage]

Compared to Chretien, NOBODY is dysfunctional!! Grab a major clue.

[Canadian Outrage]

Being a freedom loving, American loving B.C.ite, you took the words right out of my mouth. I too have completely had it with Central Canada, and specifically Ontario. Ontario is the catalyst to changing this most appalling situation. They and they alone could tip the balance away from these idiotic Liberals. Quebec is NOT WORTH a fraction of what it is costing us to keep them. I'm tired of being blackmailed by these ungrateful wretches and would also like to see them blown off the map. I hope it goes really bad for Ontario if that is what it takes to wake it up. The Canadian Alliance should be given the opportunity to govern at least once, can you honestely say that ANYTHING could be worse than these Liberals???? NEVER. I have never suffered a year of such complete and total embarrassment in my entire life. I literally groan and cringe the minute chretien stumbles onto the international stage waiting for his next screw up. IT'S TIME FOR THE WEST TO TAKE ALL OF HER NATURAL RESOURCES AND SEPARATE. I can't wait for Ontario to grab a brain. It just aint gonna happen.

[albertabound]

Alberta was largly populated by American immigrants at the turn of the century (my grandparents included) and again in the 1950's with the oil boom. You would be hard pressed to differentiate Calgary from say Denver or Phoenix other than we get a bit more cool weather.

[taxcontrol]

Really? I live in Denver (suburbs) and if it were not for my job, have always wanted to live in the Canadian Rockies - If you guys can ever fix your politicians. :-)

[ContentiousObjector]

then why has he been elected three times?

If the Canadian Alliance can't beat that clown, they are more dysfunctional than he is.

[shamus11]

Canadian Politicians
By
James Bredin

The worst thing in the world is a politician with a plan,
To rid the world of sickness, sadness and increase his tan,
These sham spin doctors with their sleazy security scheme,
Strategy to save Shawinigan from changes in the regime.

Careful and conscientious but as crooked as a clam,
Bold and repetitive and stupid like Internet Spam,
No Constitution Charter changes and no term restrictions,
No inquiries ‘bout money so no criminal convictions.

No senators elected just line up and register your guns,
Sit at your TV and watch Canadian culture reruns,
Supreme Court judges will never ever be asked questions,
No information ‘bout their interests so stick your suggestions.

Illegal immigrants can stay with proper representation,
It depends on the foundation or who makes the application,
We have to realize that these are all potential voters,
Not true terrorists, real refugees – they may have promoters.

No elections by date – the prime minister will do it all,
Next year or maybe the year after – forget about recall,
No flat tax and certainly no binding referenda,
Sixty-cent dollar to a dime is their hidden agenda.

No subpoenas and no proportional representation,
Bilingualism and multiculturalism is salvation,
All criticism carefully buried by propaganda,
Go back to sleep sitting still and sedate on your veranda.

Wednesday, January 01, 2003

This is the time and temperature
in Toronto right now