Lawrence Martin suggests Thomas Mulcair and the New Democrats have an opportunity to expose the Harper government's Achilles Heel -- integrity. If they can mount "a judicious and innovative handling of the integrity issue, the mockery of democracy that’s played out by the Conservatives week after week," they may, indeed, grab the brass ring:
The F-35 duplicity, as alleged in the Auditor-General’s report, is just one recent example. On a more absurdist note, a story last week revealed how the governing paranoiacs turned themselves inside out in trying to dodge a media question on – we’re not kidding – the patterns of snowfall in Southern Ontario.
On another issue relating to secrecy, a National Post columnist wrote: “The Tories have treated Canadians like fools – and we have obliged them by not kicking up an undue fuss.” Strong words and, coming from the right, they suggest that the issue of ethical corruption is one that can cut across party lines.
Earlier this week, Adil Sayeed and Paul Litt suggested that:
If the opposition parties believe in democracy, why not take this opportunity to make democracy the issue? There is an agenda that offers both power and principle, a chance to do well by doing good. It can be realized through a new voting system that would see the popular will directly represented in the legislature.
They suggested that both the Dippers and the Liberals ought to be able to cooperate on that agenda.
The Conservatives' contempt for both integrity and democracy are truly what defines them. Until now, they have played Canadians for fools.. If the opposition parties are wise, they will define the Conservatives by their deficits-- not just their financial deficits.
The failure of Alberta's Wildrose Party -- and the Harperites behind it -- is a reminder that even Conservatives will not abide unbridled hubris.
No comments:
Post a Comment