Watching Stephen Harper and Stephane Dion spar reminds me of my playground years when a couple of the big boys would strap boxing gloves on a couple of toddlers and we would be reduced to belly laughs as neither could master the gloves, let alone throw a punch.
This statement borders on the politically incorrect, but those two are the classic sissies. Neither inspires me, giving me the urge to jump in line and follow them to Parliament Hill. Years ago, there was a local boxer who said he had a “peek-a-boo” style. Every time he peeked, he would get hit and the fans would boo. Could be Harper, could be Dion. As my old departed friend Breen Driscoll would say, “Here’s two shovels - take your pick.”
Sorry, I almost forgot Jack Layton. Little wonder, he’s as insipid as yesterday’s porridge. A man with all the answers …. I often wonder if he understands the questions.
There in a eleven-line nutshell are our choices.
Harper is Harper and he is not about to change. A control freak who has one rule; my way or the highway. I look at his caucus and shake my head. More yes men, and women, than you’ll find at a toadies convention. How do they live with themselves? Is the inflated salary, the many perks and the gold plated pension worth selling your soul? Guess that’s why I am destined to die poor. Poor but happy I hasten to add.
The Liberals blew it big time with the election of Dion. Bob Rae might have carried the day, or Michael Ignatieff , a marvelous orator, would have given Harper fits on the campaign trail. Even my personal choice, Gerard Kennedy would have been a superior pick.
Stephane Dion is going to be on the defensive from the moment they pull the plug. To be fair, his green plan is admirable and should capture the imagination of the vast majority. Should, but it won’t.
In the west they will feel threatened, fearing such an initiative will eventually dry up the oil sands. In the east, where we still burn coal, Harper will, if he gets the right candidates, bury the Grits. There is no way we are going to buy into a new tax, revenue neutral or otherwise.
Scott Brison knows that, and that is why he came out swinging last week, challenging Rodney MacDonald to a debate. That would be akin to dueling with a visibly impaired person.
The giggle of the week came from Peter MacKay who labeled Brison a “windsock.” Now, I ask you, would you rather be a “windsock” or a Harper puppet? I stray.
All of this leads me up to the one leader I haven’t mentioned. Elizabeth May will personally fail in her attempt to unseat MacKay in Pictou. The Tories could run a dead horse there and win.
And while she will personally lose, the Green Party could break through and elect a couple of members to the House of Commons. They may even go past the NDP in popular vote.
Why? Because of their six fundamental principles that will, when understood, appeal to a lot of thinking Canadians. The kind I like….the open minded who don’t get their politics through genetics. Read this about the Green Party:
Ecological Wisdom
We acknowledge that human beings are part of the natural world and we respect the specific values of all forms of life, including non-human species.
Non-Violence
We declare our commitment to non-violence and strive for a culture of peace and cooperation between states.
Social Justice
We assert that the key to social justice is the equitable distribution of resources to ensure that all have full opportunities for personal and social development.
Sustainability
We recognize the scope for the material expansion of society within the biosphere, and the need to maintain biodiversity through the use of renewable resources.
Participatory Democracy
We strive for a democracy in which all citizens have the right to express their views, and are able to directly participate in decisions which affect their lives.
Respect for Diversity
We honour and value equally the Earth's biological and ecological diversity together with the context of individual responsibility toward all beings.
I showed this to a friend who gave it the once over and quipped; “Looks like something your kids or grandkids would be interested in.” I certainly hope so, given the remaining choices.
(Al Hollingsworth is a retired journalist and broadcaster)
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