Year in review

It's a little early to get retrospective, perhaps, but it may be a good idea to itemize all the reasons for the suspicion by John Ivison, Glen Pearson and others that Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government seems to have become a little untethered. In three short months, look at the evidence (warning... those with neck problems should probably brace for more whiplash): 

1. No one will care that Parliament is prorogued. Whoops. 

2. The anthem should be changed. No it shouldn't. 

3. The budget and Throne Speech are going to be big. Okay, not so much.

4. Helena Guergis has apologized adequately for her airport rant. No she hasn't. 

5. Rahim Jaffer is a private citizen and his "break" from the judge isn't a big deal. Oh yes it is. 

6. Abortion is not part of our foreign-aid priorities. Neither is contraception. Okay, contraception is part of the focus. But not abortion. Or, maybe it is. 

7. We've got big things planned for spring, so March break is cancelled in the Commons. Or, on second thought, maybe the opposition can use those days because we don't have much going on. 

8. The ban on those "10 percenter" pamphlets is a good idea. Or maybe not. Or maybe it is. 

9. The government won't obey Parliament and release the Afghan documents. Okay, it will, sort of, but through a retired Supreme Court justice. Or maybe it will keep defying Parliament and risk contempt.  

10. Rights and Democracy. It's neither rights, nor democracy. Discuss. No, don't. 

 That's a lot of  confusion in just three months. Others may have more examples. (And I haven't even mentioned Jim Flaherty's reconsidered hairstyle.) It does seem to indicate a certain loss of direction.  Typically, the Harper government will probably chalk it up to a lack of discipline and iron-fistedness. When you're a hammer, every problem is a nail, as they say. With a bit more reflection, however, it might also be argued that the iron fist created this mess. No government can control everything indefinitely and when the unravelling begins, it really begins. 

Comments

[Ted]

11. The government supports the troops and its military needs. Or maybe not (previously announced purchase of desperately needed armoured vehicles cancelled, $2B cut to military spending).

12. The "we all need to tighten our belts" so-called austerity budget. Not so austere, not so tightening of their belts: Conservatives increase spending by more than even they had planned in 2008, increase budget of PMO by record $13 million, vote in favour of 10%ers, fly off on private jet for photo op at Tim Hortons.

13. The Olympics should not be politicized. Unless we want to politicize it (I'm sure you can find lots and lots of links for this).

14. We are cutting free internet access for community groups who can't afford it. No we're not: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/industry-minister-announces-reprieve-for-library-internet-access-program/article1503146/.

15. On the prorogation matter, there was a period of about three weeks where the rational and talking points for prorogation changed pretty much every day.

[geo]

And to finish off the year in review,
let's not forget that Mr.Ignatieff as oposition leader, is still on his
" Speaking to Canadians tour".....part 4.
Yet again while all the MP's are in session on Parliament Hill.

[Cam]

I am assuming Geo is young, and doesn't remember, pre-Harper, when politicians actually talked to the public, without an army of staff and a list of "friendly" reporters. It was seen as not a bad thing.

[geo]

Sorry Cam,you must be older than the telephone.
I thought talking to the public could be done with modern communication devices, especially while the MP's are in session on the Hill.
And when it isn't in session,then it could be done face to face.
Parliament sits for about 27 weeks a year,that leaves 25 weeks to do the touring,
Surly Mr.Ignatieff can find time outside of the 27 weeks that Parliament actually sits to do touring of Canada.
Maybe being away for 30 plus years,requires lots of catch-up tours.
Like the 10% mailing rule that was just removed,Parliament should also have a rule about being absent when Parliament is in session.
We get real upset over Senators not being in the Senate,why not the MP's?
Pay should be deducted for those who don't show up...ask any working smuck about not getting paid for not showing for work.
Simply put,Ignatieff's tour is not part of his job description as an MP.
You can't be doing the job your were hired to do when you're not there doing it.
When you are only required to be at you're job site less than 27 weeks a year,and you get a big salary,pension and perks,being there is the least you could do for those you work for.

[MyThought]

Getting petty or what - so Ignatieff is on a tour, committee meetings are functioning and there's a hell of a lot of Cons who weren't in the House including the PM a couple of days.

Grow up

[Cam]

hey geo, I am watching QP right now. Harper isn't there. Start kicking him.

[geo]

Cam-
Bet the PM isn't spending time missing work
because he's out on tour for a week talking to high school kids.
Next week, Ignatieff is off again with his $700 per thinker, think tanker party.
No discussion for today's issues,only thinking to solve the problems of 2017.
And he says, no Liberal MP's allowed...
Maybe since they don't have the ability to think of solutions for today,trying to get them to think that far into the future will never get done.