In the interest of making informed decisions I took some time to read a brief and biased look at Stephen Harper, whom many are touting as the next Prime Minister of Canada.
I say the article is biased because it clouds over what I believe is the real hinge pin: his inflexibility. While people obviously respond to strength in government at the expense of rationality (the US as prime example), I see his intractability as a real problem. What I want to see in government is a party led by strong will coupled with the widest view possible. Harper, for me, is not that man. He has his own agenda and must be met with resounding opposition to reconsider his position. He is admittedly not, by nature, a team player. And where does a person like that belong in a democratic system?
I find politics sexy, and watched all the debates. Not once, did Stephen Harper actually look at the camera; his eyes were always slightly lowered. A sharp contrast from all the other candidates, especially Jack Layton, who lays on the bedroom eyes like nobody’s business… But I digress.
What bothers me about this election is that in no way is it actually about policy. All of the parties are saying is how much the country can trust them to be as unlike the Liberals as possible. Even Martin is hyping his “We’re not the Chretien Liberals, we’re the good guys!” mandate. Harper is coming off like a good guy in this election campaign because as long as he continues to attack the Liberals he’s protected from having to defend his policies and platform.
It scares me how many people will make their decision on the 23rd based on this. And it disappoints me that the public (and media) aren’t demanding more transparency from their candidates.
COMMENT:
There was a time when you had to read a bit to form an opinion, or at least listen to your dad or a few friends slam the Bad Guys. Now you just take a convenient sound bite and make it your mantra, and you don’t need to think anymore. Or maybe you never had to. Maybe that’s how we got here.
I read somewhere a comment from a woman saying that so long as the thinking majority allow the ignorant and vocal minority to maintain control we have no right to complain.
A good point.