“(We) will use every means possible to make sure this attack on Canada, this attack on democracy is not going to be allowed.”
My response:
To the Editor,
In the heated debate over recent events in Ottawa, it is unfortunate that Lisa Raitt and other representatives of the Conservative Party are trying to make their case by misleading Canadians.
Raitt referred to the proposed coalition between the Liberals and the NDP as "an attack on Canada, an attack on democracy". Perhaps she should bone up on her Canadian civics, because what the opposition parties are proposing is precisely how our parliamentary democracy is supposed to work. In fact, Stephen Harper proposed his own coalition with the NDP and the Bloc when he was on the other side of the aisle.
We did not elect Stephen Harper or the Conservative Party - we elected Members of Parliament to represent us. Our Prime Minister is chosen based on who has the support and confidence of the majority of those MPs. By his actions and his attitude, Stephen Harper has lost that confidence.
Prime Minister Harper has demonstrated time and time again that he is either unwilling or unable to work with opposition parties, despite his repeated promises to do so. Instead, he has chosen this time of economic crisis to deliberately provoke yet another political confrontation, playing his favourite game of 'Parliamentary Chicken' while failing to take any serious action to help Canadians through these hard times. Anyone concerned with the stability of a coalition government should consider how unstable three years of this sort of endless brinksmanship have made this country.
As for the opposition members, calling them names and accusing them of "attacking Canada" is an insult to the Canadians who elected them as their representatives. They are simply doing their job. Perhaps Ms. Raitt and her colleagues should try doing theirs.
Jennifer Smith
UPDATE: Published in the Milton Champion on Friday, Dec.5th., along with some other interesting editorial commentary.
really good letter!
ReplyDeleteit is amazing and scary how the cons are trying to manipulate ignorance of how our parliamentary system works.
not to mention their offensive, chauvenistic attack on quebec and the elected MPs in the opposition.
Jennifer
ReplyDeleteGreat letter. The only anti democrats in parliment are the Cons and the real seperatists in parliment are the alliance members in conservative wooley suits.
One of the best things that could happen for Canada is the coalition! A spirit of cooperation rather that confrontation is so much better for our country.
If the confidence vote goes ahead at least two good things would happen. 1 Harper would be ousted from the leadership of the Alliance Party and Lisa Raitt would be booted from her position of Minister of Nuclear Power
great letter......way to go!!!!
ReplyDelete