But let's be realistic. Politicians change their minds. They promise one thing, then do something different (as Dalton McGuinty did when he raised taxes following the 2003 Ontario election). Is this lying? Is it hypocrisy? Or is it just smart politics?
To keep Harper's flip-floppery in perspective, it's worth noting that Brian Mulroney was opposed to free trade when he was in opposition and Jean Chrétien wanted to repeal the goods and services tax until he became prime minister.
What is worrisome is not so much Harper's lack of consistency as it is his underlying attitude to power and Parliament. Until he took office, Harper believed (or said he believed) that the prime minister had too much power, that a balance had to be restored by giving more authority to ordinary members of Parliament. He proposed to allow lots of free votes.
That undertaking lasted only as long as it took Harper to discover the most important, and scary, issue facing the federal government this year: the Canadian military commitment in Afghanistan. Harper had to be dragged, kicking and screaming, to permit the Commons to debate the issue, but there was no way he would allow a vote, free or otherwise.
Last week, Harper reversed himself on the appointment of chairs for the Commons' 22 standing committees. As opposition leader, Harper sponsored a motion to strip the prime minister of his traditional power to choose committee chairs. Instead, his motion proposed that the committees would be empowered to elect their own chairs, including opposition members.
In office, he is reasserting the prime ministerial prerogative and it looks as though 19 of the 22 chairs will be Conservative MPs, hand-picked by Harper. The effect is to keep the committees on a leash, reduce the potential for embarrassment to the government, strengthen the hand of the PM, and lessen the clout of backbenchers.
Full article: http://www.straightgoods.ca/ViewFeature6.cfm?REF=267
[Proofreader's note: this article was edited for spelling and typos on April 27, 2005]
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Stephen Harper's Flip-Floppery
Posted on Thursday, April 27 at 06:00 by sthompsonContributed By
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If Mr. Stevens researched Harper's former positions on leadership, he would not have expected Harper to act in any way other than he is acting now. One quote from Harper back in 2002 before he even became leader of the Canadian Alliance is all that is needed to understand Harper's concept of leadership: "If I get a mandate, I'll use the full authority of the office to ensure things go the way I intend them to go." Harper believes that "the ends justify the means": the principle behind political posturing and dictatorial leadership.
To keep Harper's flip-floppery in perspective, it's worth noting that Brian Mulroney was opposed to free trade when he was in opposition and Jean Chrétien wanted to repeal the goods and services tax until he became prime minister.”
Being the suspicious individual I am, I now see politicians as those who pander to the perceived wants of the electorate. They tell you what you want to hear. Then ballots are cast on the basis of the politician’s words.
Emerson come to mind? And then sheeple, like sheep are meant to be fleeced.
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The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.... : Albert Einstein
the question now arises will the electorate ever learn
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The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.... : Albert Einstein
The second point is that when he says that he cannot interfere in the price of oil because the price is set by supply and demand it is meaningless because has already violated that principle in the softwood lumber issue. There is no separate "principled" reason not to take action to control oil and gas prices on behalf of consumers.
This deal again proves that Stephen Harper is exactly what I thought he was: just another "unprincipled" conservative.
His priciple is easily seen every time he balances his checkbook.
Money in = favours out.
That's the Conservative way.
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"and the knowledge they fear is a weapon to be used against them"
"The Weapon" - Rush