POSTED RESPONSES TO A COLUMN BY JEFFREY SIMPSON IN TORONTO'S GLOBE AND MAIL
Yes, Mulcair, despite his flaws, was the right choice for the New Democratic Party.
A forceful and intelligent man who will take none of
Harper's crap.
It's too bad about Bob Rae, a very eloquent and able
politician. I admire his skillfulness.
Had the Liberals chosen him, as they should have done,
instead of the ineffective, bumbling, repulsive Ignatieff, we would not be in
the national mess we are in.
Yes, Rae had some residual disadvantages in parts of Ontario
– “Rae Days,” which actually were the carefully considered and least harmful
option of a thoughtful politician during an economic crisis - but the total
impact could not compare to the horror Ignatieff has dropped on us.
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"They are
opportunists both, leading their respective parties down a path to power that
involves turning their backs on long time supporters to appear more broad
based."
Sorry, despite my personal wishes otherwise, all politicians
are opportunists.
All, without exception.
Being an opportunist is part of the job description for the
"art of the possible."
What is to be condemned is not opportunists in politics per
se but opportunists who avail themselves of nasty political situations that
were better avoided.
Harper is an opportunist that has used every scrap of
tackiness and ignorance and abuse to stitch up a situation for himself.
He's not to be condemned simply as an opportunist but as an
utterly dark and unethical man.
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Surely we are working our way towards something of a
two-party system.
Parties change over time with new economic and social
realities. They come into and go out of existence. They are not as enduring as
the stonework of Parliament.
There was some recognition of new realities when the NDP,
under the beloved leadership of Jack Layton, signed on with the Liberals under
the very decent Dion - the BQ offering support but not taking membership - to
stop Harper a few years back.
Canada, as a whole, is a majority progressive country, but
that progressive vote is divided several ways - a reality that allowed the
opportunity for Harper to achieve power.
But the entire spectrum has shifted somewhat to the right,
as we are faced with a more uncertain future and big economic problems.
Conservatives of years ago were thoroughly decent and
respectable people, having given us a number of worthy federal and provincial
leaders.
But today's Conservative Party is extreme and undemocratic
and dishonest in its tactics, also lacking in respect for others - quite an
ugly creature that cannot possibly in our lifetimes rule without the passive
consent of Canada's majority.
