CUE cynical rant…
A friend of mine asked why he can’t find any new political rants on my blog.
The answer is simple: have you SEEN our current political climate? Let me elaborate…
(1) Almost six years of minority governments has reduced Canada to a place where VERY little happens. “Little” is a good word to describe our current situation — I can’t remember a time when Canada’s ambitions, international reputation & influence have EVER seemed so tiny, parochial, limited…isolated. What are we building? Where should we be heading in the 21st century? What do we stand for anymore?
Canada’s voice used to matter on the world stage. Canada commanded a special reputation…does it still?
(2) Is there any inspiring leadership left in this country? Anyone with genuine vision? Anyone with a desire to do something besides survive session-after-session of dysfunctional, juvenille arguing in our excuse for a Parliament? Anyone with a desire to do more than survive non-confidence votes? Minority governments were always lauded as governments of compromise. In actual fact, since 2004, I’ve concluded that they are nothing but frightened, selfish fortresses, more concerned with their own existence than in moving Canada forward in any meaningful way. I might hate what some majority governments do…but cowardice is now the hallmark of a minority government.
And before someone brings up the Pearson minorities…newsflash: this isn’t the 1960s, and the co-operation and idealism of the time is nothing but a dusty memory.
(3) Maybe I should be worked up over scandals? But I’m not…change the names (E-health, sponsorship, stimulus funding cheques, etc…) and the same events continue, over and over and over. Not since the Pacific Scandal of the 1870s has anything changed on this matter, and nothing WILL change. Ethics seem to be something for OTHER people…and enforcing ethics seems to be the job of NO ONE. Besides, what would The Toronto Sun write about if scandals didn’t exist?
I remember when politics meant debates about the Charter of Rights, sanctions against Apartheid South Africa, Free Trade, nuclear disarmament, Quebec sovreignty, the role of peacekeepers…epic events, epic issues, and epic leaders…leaders I adored, and leaders I despised with a passion that was epic in its own right.
Today’s leaders? They’re not leaders…frankly I don’t know what they are. But they don’t inspire me, they don’t inspire Canadians, and they don’t have an iota of ambition in their baby fingers…unless its regarding personal political victory and the embarassment of their enemies. Arrogant selfishness is the new black…and I think it’s here to stay for a long time to come.
This is why my political rants are all but non-existent these days. To be blunt: what would be the point?
END cynical rant.
