Editor:
Take a moment from our Olympics for a spectator sport with real consequences, not just medal counts and bragging rights.
Politics matter, according to a young back room writer when he wrote the following into the Reform party platform: "Many of our most serious problems as a country can be traced to the apathy and non-involvement of Canadians in public affairs, and to decisions that too frequently ignore the popular will . We believe in accountability of elected representatives to the people who elect them, and that the duty of elected members to their constituents should supersede their obligations to their political parties."
Did Stephen Harper believe what he wrote then, or was he just saying what was politically expedient at the time?
When he was seeking election as the leader of his party, he promised open, transparent, accountable government. The way he recently prorogued Parlia-ment shows again that was an empty promise.
The truth is in a cartoon in Globe and Mail showing Harper in prime ministerial finger pointing pose: "I Want You NOT to Care."
He said he needs time, some three months, to "re-calibrate" his economic recovery plan, the plan he just told us was working well. Harper and his staff can't walk and chew gum at the same time? He made fun of Dion in a televised debate for wanting a month to consult and develop a response to the economic crash that had just started?
No, the contradiction with his current position is yet another example of saying what is expedient at the moment and trusting that Canadians will forget it all before the next election.
Two questions remain. Will the current minority parties and their leaders make the case for effectively restoring democracy? And, will Canadian citizens care?
Henry Hightower
Sechelt
