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Continue readingTag: harper contempt for democracy
Politics and its Discontents: Election Bill Sends ‘Very Poor Message’ To Budding Democracies
So says Andrew Reynolds, an associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, one of 18 professors from around the world who earlier this week signed an open letter about their concerns regarding the ‘Fair Elections Act. Their letter came the week after an open letter to
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Something For Stephanie
In yesterday’s post entitled The Warnings Are Everywhere, I wrote about how Canada is being critically scrutinized both domestically and internationally for the anti-democratic measures contained in the ‘Fair’ Elections Act. I drew heavily upon an open letter sent by an array of professors from countries including the United Kingdom,
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Warnings Are Everywhere
Canada’s reputation continues to erode, both at home and internationally. I recently wrote a post about Canadian law professors who penned an open letter pleading with the government not to proceed with the ‘Fair’ Elections Act in its present form because it will seriously undermine our democracy. Now, beyond our
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Harper’s Palpable, Consistent Contempt
Yesterday, fellow-blogger LeDaro posted a video from last May when Harper invited reporters to a caucus meeting to hear his speech, then refused to answer questions about the Senate scandal engulfing his government. As the reporters shouted out their questions, they were drowned out by the deafening ovation rendered by
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Rick Mercer Wipes Up With Pierre Poilivre
Rick Mercer does his usual excellent job in putting the smug and arrogant in their places: Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Kevin Page On Canada’s ‘Grotesquely Wrong Elites’
Former Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page, about whom I have written many times on this blog, is without question one of Canada’s true heroes. The reason? He insisted upon doing his job with the kind of thoroughness and integrity that exemplify the highest ideals of public service. Like Munir Sheikh,
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: A Petition Worth Your Consideration
Don Aitken has started a petition on the Care2petition site calling on the government to stop politicizing Canada’s Election Act. Given the abuses inherent in the Fair Elections Act, about which I have written several times, I hope you will consider signing it. Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: They Tell Tales Designed To Frighten Children
They, of course, are all who comprise the Harper cabal, that conglomeration of feckless, ambitious and disloyal louts who, through their lies, distortions and propaganda, would frighten, confuse and bully the uninformed into surrendering much of what it means to be Canadian. People will recall, for example, the infamous lie
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Rick Mercer Denounces Tory MP Brad Butt’s Lies
As usual, Rick Mercer offers an unsparing assessment of his target, in this instance Tory MP Brad Butt and his outright lie about being a witness to voter fraud. Thanks to the usual Conservative obstructionism, Mr. Butt escaped his lie unscathed. Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Law Professors Are Not Impressed By The ‘Fair’ Elections Act
Yasmin Dawood is one of 160 professors from across Canada behind an open letter to the government asking for major revisions to the ‘Fair’ Elections Act. Yesterday, she appeared on Power and Politics. As you will see, Dawood regards the act’s provisions as posing a grave threat to Canadian democracy:
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: A New Post From The Salamander
In response to the letter I posted this morning, The Salamander offers some timely commentary, which I am posting below. While making his usual incisive observations, he also has some suggestions that we would all do well to take to heart: .. don’t wear a poppy .. turn your back
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: A Nice Compendium Of Recent Harper Offences Against Democracy
I am preparing to resume work on my flooring, so, in lieu of my own piece, I am posting a letter from the London Community News that offers some thoughts on the ‘Fair’ Elections Act and other Harper government misdeeds: Dear editor, Much noise has been made about what the
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Ed Broadbent Addresses The "Fair’ Elections Act
I write this blog for a number of reasons, the most important one being the hope that I might contribute a little something to the general body of knowledge on political and social issues. The progressive blogosphere seems especially well-informed, and I often find myself reading sources and commentary that
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: On Democracy And Political Leadership
I have a somewhat busy morning ahead, so for the time being I offer the following: Is the answer to things like this, this? Re Manning Takes Aim at Tory Election Bill (March 3): The Conservatives’ Fair Elections Act is anything but. Instead, it’s about ensuring they’ll form another majority
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Some Days A Reactionary Just Can’t Catch A Break
At least if you are a reactionary in the Harper vein. First came the bad polling news showing increasing numbers of Canadians growing increasingly suspicious and weary of the relentless divide-and-conquer tactics of the so-called master tactician. Then came some stinging rebukes from that old icon of conservatism, Preston Manning,
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Some Glum Faces At The Manning Centre
Clearly, it was not the kind of news they had gone to the Manning Centre to hear, and, it seems, they did not receive it with particular good grace. As reported in The Star, presenting the results of a poll he conducted in December, André Turcotte imparted the following to
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: This Just In!
And it is very encouraging, in that it appears Canadians are beginning to wake up to the true nature of the Harper regime: Nearly two-thirds of Canadians believe that the ruling Conservatives are settling political scores with their Fair Elections Act, a new poll has found. You can read all
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Rick Mercer On The ‘Fair’ Elections Act
With Rick on the job, there is always reason for hope: Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: His Hands Are All Over It
Like an ugly stain that resists the most determined efforts at removal, Bill C-520, a ‘private member’s bill’ proposed by Conservative MP Mark Adler, has Stephen Harper’s signature and paranoid paw prints all over it. The bill, about which I have written previously, would require all employees in parliamentary watchdog
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