There’s a sense of futility surrounding Canadian governance these days. The last bit of real leadership we’ve seen was back in 2003, when Jean Chretien declined to participate in the illegal U.S.-led war in Iraq.
Since then, we’ve seen the wishy washy, scattershot policies of Paul Martin, and subsequently, the syncophantic meanderings of our present Prime Minister, who represents about 35% of the Canadian people, if that.
While the Americans and British flounder in Iraq, Canada and Nato are pissing in the Afghan wind. There is no one who seems to have a handle on what to do or how to do it.
Surely Stephen Harper is headed for a fall because of his dearth of ideas and his slavish acquiescence to the out-of-control General Rick Hillier. It’s just a matter of time until Harper is hoisted on his own petard and brought down.
The international community needs real leadership on a whole variety of issues, ranging from the genocide now being perpetrated in Sudan, to the impasse over nuclear research being carried out in Iran.
The Conservatives have no policies, the Liberals have no leader and the NDP are making mouse-squeak noises in the corner.
Never in our history has Canada been so rudderless.
Jim Reed
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In loving memory of Jim Reed, 1938-2011
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Antonius
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I agree – it’s actually quite sad.
Harper needs to articulate an exit strategy wrt Afghanistan. His trip might be a morale booster for the soldiers (which is fine and dandy) but he needs to “level with us”. He appears to be taking a page out of the “Shrub’s” handbook. In some ways, he appears to be saying that if you don’t blindly support Hillier’s decisions then you are not supporting the troops. Actually, it is the other way around.
I agree. It’s very worrisome.
Dear Jim;
I agree with your article “Leadership Please” wholeheartedly, and would like to ask you to do me a favour and read the latest column by Larry Zolf in the C.B.C.
I was firstly shocked at comments made by Stephen Harper re: “cut and run” “stay the course” hauntingly familiar and not very original. Then I read the column by Mr. Zolf and was amazed at the pro war mentality supporting the whole illegal war and saying it was right for Mr. Bush to do what he did. The last time I looked at the polls both in Canada and America they were pretty close. Approximately 60% questioning the “War on Terror” and 35% for Mr. Harper and Mr. Bush’s agenda, respectively. My question to you is Jim, If approximately 60% of North America is questioning why our Governments are in the Middle East, then why do the 35% who do want it, get their way?
Sherry,
Sherry-
First of all…to address the Zolf question.
Larry Zolf has been a producer/reporter/writer for CBC Forever, going way back to “This Hour Has Seven Days”.
A clue to the nature of the Zolfian Beast can be found in an anecdote. At a story meeting, for “Seven Days” Larry was asked to go do an interview with a local Nazi leader. Doug Leiterman, the big boss of the show said something like “I hope you don’t mind this assignment Larry…seeing as you are Jewish and all.”
Larry’s response was typical…”Hey Doug- you want me to play Naziis and Jews???…I’ll play Naziis and Jews!!!”.
In other words, Larry’s journalism is to be taken with a grain of salt and an eye to just how much is what he believes and how much is meant to stimulate some sort of reaction.
As for support for what the governments are doing with respect to the military deployments abroad…most Canadians and indeed most Americans are confused about why their soldiers are over there.
More importantly, people are fearful and any mention of “fighting terrorists” gets support.
When people are fearful and confused, they are easily led. So while in their hearts a majority disagree with the deployment of troops, their fear often prevents them from protesting.
The politicians like being involved in wars, because it gives them a sense of “manliness”…particularly if they haven’t been in combat situations.
One of the chareacteristics of all the key players is that none has been in combat…Blair, Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Harper…etc. The one politician who DID have some military experience (Colin Powell) has been sidelined.
Help is coming, come the next election, because next time, it’s gonna be different!
The New Tories under Harper will not realize what hit them come the next federal election. They will be fighting a different Liberal Party, a much more formidable force than the one they narrowly defeated in January.
Why the difference? Because:
1. Energy – Leadership campaigns, if held openly and honestly, can invigorate parties. With the many good candidates the LPC now has considering a run, this will happen to the Liberals.
2. Harper’s ethics – Hopefully, the new leader will not have a sorry history of participating in, downplaying, or turning a blind eye to abuses in the political system. There is a good chance the leader will be untainted by electoral scandal or ethical misjudgments, and so the major factor which defeated Martin’s government will no longer apply. This time round, it is more likely going to be Harper’s ethics being questioned by voters …
3. One party – The party will be united. The factions that tore it apart over the past 10 years will have learned their lesson. Those who sat out the last election because they felt unwelcome, or were made unwelcome, can now reconsider and join in the fight to ensure the Canada they know and love as Liberals, is protected from the neocon onslaught.
4. Principles – There will have been a public debate about liberal principles and policies, and chances are the new Liberal leader will be leading a party which will coalesce around five or more significant principles, incorporating the best of liberalism in Canada.
5. Homecomings – Those Liberals and independents who voted for the NDP because is represented a relatively unsullied party, and who wished to admonish the Liberals for their breach of trust with citizens on ethical issues, will now have a chance to come home, to a cleansed party. The tent door is always open.
6. No free ride for neocons – The contrast between a Conservative Party running a tightly controlled election, focusing on corruption and a handful of baubles to toss to the citizenry, and a Conservative Party which is in power and must now openly debate the consequences of its platform in January and new platform in the next election, will be stark. The free ride will be over. We have seen the mainstream media have second thoughts already; this will only increase as the reality of the neocon agenda of the New Tories sinks in to people in the regions.
7. Canada’s voice – The new Liberal leader will speak for Canada. This is the Liberal role in Canadian politics. He or she will represent all voters, in all regions, and will protect the power of the federal government to ensure that Canada is indeed more than simply the sum of its parts, as Harper thinks.
8. Framing and fighting – The new leader is more likely to run an organized, effective election than the shambolic, unfocused campaign we just suffered through. Harper’s framing of issues and avoidance of clear and honest debate of major issues will not be allowed this time around: he will be nailed, and forced to defend policies with more than a terse “It’s good because I say it is good, now let them eat cake!”
9. BlogPower – This time, bloggers, now busily organizing, are going to be spearheading truth squads, building memory banks of past statements, organizing public debate, helping the Liberal candidates in each constituency to launch their own websites, blogs and electronic fund raising methods. Canada will see just how powerful a force the blog universe is.
So cheer up folks; exciting times for Canada lie ahead.
Curiousity
I do so hope you are right.