It Only Took Him "17 minutes" to Get it Wrong

The best way to judge Mr. Harper and his party is to listen to them. Thankfully for Canada and Canadians they are their own worst enemies.

"There's no grand principle involved in this decision, just ambition," Harper said.(Harper on Belinda Stronach's defection, May 2005)

"I think it shows there are two kinds of people in public life -- people with principle and people like Belinda Stronach," (B.C. Conservative MP James Moore, May 2005)

“What David Emerson did, I would suggest, is different,..." (Peter McKay Feb. 2006)
Apparently, McKay believes that men make pricipled decisions based on the good of their constituents while women are just political opporutnists.

"The other thing I want to do is, you know, I'm a long-time advocate of Senate reform which we're going to start through an electoral process." (Stephen Harper Jan. 2006)

"Harper's pledge to reform the Senate by appointing only elected Senators as one of his first steps in the new Parliament." (C.T.V. News Feb. 2006)
Reaction to the Harper's appointment of Michael Fortier to the Senate

"Harper is "demanding" he publicly support Emerson's appointment." Calgary Sun, Feb. 2006) Conservative M.P. G. Turner contemplates leaving the Conervative Party after being told to keep his views to himself regarding the appointment of ex-Liberal Emerson to the Conservative cabinet.

Many Canadians reacted angrily to Harper's questionable actions.

"Prime Minister Harper provided Canadians with open, accountable government for a whopping 17 minutes prior to becoming Prime Minister earlier this week, until he successfully lured David Emerson from the Liberal cabinet." (The Hammer.ca Feb. 2006)

Mr. Harper is fast tracking his party's slide into the slime of political chicanery. The majority of Canadian voters are probably not surprised, however, apparently many Conservative supporters and voters have been caught off guard.

"Amazingly, the first actions of a Calgarian leading a conservative government rooted in the West are roundly condemned throughout the West."(Murdoch Davis, Toronto Star, Feb. 2006)

I have been angry with the right wing leadership and supporters of our nation for many years. I believe that Mulroney and Manning created the mess that saw the BLOC become the official opposition. I argued for years that a weak, divided right was bad for Canada and I have expressed grave doubts over the selection of a Reform Party policy chair as the leader of our 'new' Conservative party. Having now lived through two weeks of Conservative stewardship I can only state amazement in reaction to the incompetance and hubris that is the Harper led government.

For the love of Canada, won't someone with integrity and vision take control of our national, right wing political agenda. If this keeps up we may end up with Belinda Stronach as our next Prime Minister. Ohh, the horror.