We find it somewhat disquieting to hear the rumblings of discontent emerging from Ottawa and around the country these days.
We are only partially referring to the ham-handed manner in which the Canadian Wheat Board file is being manipulated. We are not referring to the single desk or no single desk debate at this juncture, but rather just passing comment on the way in which the matter is being handled, especially after the Federal Court has passed judgment and its findings are being ignored by those in the majority position in the House of Commons. In fact, we find it rather disconcerting, but not surprising. After all, this is the same group of characters who were found to be in contempt of Parliament not too many months ago. That didn't seem to bother them either, and evidently it didn't bother the electors since the Harper team was returned to the seats of government with a majority.
We have seen other heavy handed actions emanating from the Prime Minister's Office, and again, we state that some of the moves may gain a stamp of approval, but the manner in which they are imposed on the country, is difficult to grasp, let alone accept.
Reducing the gun registry to an ink spot, or changing the census form on a spur-of-the-moment declaration reeks of a government that only has self-interest in mind and not the taxpayers. They even tried to slip new lyrics into the national anthem, just to see if we were paying attention and the new tough on crime legislation would be laughable it it weren't so costly and wrong-headed, but then nobody informed this federal government that they were required to pay attention to the public ... not now ... not when they have a majority. In their minds, the public spoke with the vote. It's now their turn.
The mantra they have taken up informs us that since we voted for them, they have carte blanche to do whatever they please and they'll provide logic or transparency only if and when they feel the need to do so. And if you want to play the Access to Information card ... well, go fish.
Ministers such as Bev Oda and Tony Clement don't even get a wrist slap for serious violations of their own rules and regulations and remain at their posts as if nothing has gone wrong under their watch.
Now we see another scary item looming on the horizon. The Harper team is about to introduce legislation proclaiming an Office of Religious Freedom. This should be rich in irony. We can hardly wait to see how this boondoggle of a road show unfolds. Any bets that this legacy file will outdo the Liberal infested gun registry in terms of money being wasted on foolish notions?
Besides, what ever happened with the age-old adage of ensuring that the state is to be separated from religion?
Right, we forgot, they don't have to adhere to that edict, they have the majority. We gave them the right to do it.
In the meantime, the leaderless NDP and Liberal opposition flail away at windmills, hoping that somebody, somewhere is paying attention.
It is all rather interesting, but also more than a bit frightening. We'll just have to wait and see if common sense eventually returns to the House of Commons.
