For a game with such grand significance, politics sure is complicated isn’t it? Here we are with another election and our five teams have taken the field. Do you support red, orange, green, french, or blue?
In the various media, we hear opinions about who we should support and how doing so will serve the greater good of the country. Most of what is expressed avoids rational argument in favour of emotional commitment. However, one message particular to this election is often discussed in the popular media, although the significance remains debatable. In this capacity, I join the chorus of dissent against the governance of the Progressive Conservative party. Under Harper’s leadership, the foundation of the Conservative ideology has shifted. The party has gone from attempting to maintain the fiscal and operational integrity of Canadian institutions to one which in attempting to pass ideologically-motivated legislation seeks to undermine those very same institutions.
Despite the numerous controversies which Conservative actions have created, I have noticed a disturbing rhetorical trend in conversations with friends and acquaintances who are planning to support the Conservatives on May 2. Usually the debate will begin when I question them as to why they want to vote for their Conservative MP. The answer they provide is always about Stephen Harper. He’s better than the other leaders, they say. I’ll point out that Conservative policies have entirely betrayed the fiscal responsibility which the Conservatives unwaveringly champion. Some of the Conservative supporters to whom I speak recognize this problem. They also frequently disagree with the social, environmental, foreign-affairs, law enforcement, and human rights policies which the Conservatives have promoted or legislated for over the last five years.
Invariably, I am saddened at the end of our chat. After I have presented – to the best of my graduate-school-trained abilities – rational, empirical data which proves with little doubt that what the Conservatives say about their position on the economy or health care or crime is wrong, supporters will respond “Ya, I know. But I can vote Conservative without supporting all of their beliefs. It’s important to show your support. And anyway, our leader is better than yours.” Fuck, here we go.
Politics is different from sports, where faith unsupported by reason has no consequence. Let’s say that you are a Leafs fan. Year after year you pour money, time, and tears into your team they still end up one of the worst teams in the league. Fans are clearly being gouged with high ticket prices while the owners and management enjoy the massive financial success of the team. Regardless of data which clearly demonstrates the futility your remaining a fan, you will likely continue to support the team. Frankly, nothing really that bad happen in the world when a shitty sports team being supported. After all, at the end of the day it’s just a game on TV. Even when the Leafs play terribly year after year and show little interest in improving their game in order to provide their cheering fans with actual results, you can hold your head up high and say “The Leafs are the best team in the league.” No harm, no foul.
With politics, another game is being played, even though like hockey it is largely a phenomenon of television. If a shitty political party maintains its support, then harm will in fact be done. Under the Conservatives, for example, institutions will likely disappear in the name of “cutting the fat” and “reducing taxes”. The cost of living will raise for the poor and the middle-class, while the services available to them decline or disappear. Pubic wealth represented by institutions such as education and health care will be diminished while private wealth will be enriched as corporations take over governmental services and raise prices to generate profits.
It is a predictable irony that a government in the age of transparency demands the privilege to conceal itself from the public, and one which should not be tolerated. History has taught that such privacy is the endgame for morality in governance. Frankly, it’s time to stop supporting the notion of a singular prime minister leading the country to greatness. Canada is a Parliamentary democracy, not a Prime Ministerial one. By this I certainly don’t mean to diminish the office of the Prime Minister. I mean to suggest that there is an element to Quebec politics that all of Canada needs to learn. Quebec tends to elect strong parliamentary representatives to represent their interests in parliament. It is time for Canadians across this country to support their parliamentary officials, and not listen to any Prime Minister who views parliament with contempt. If this means that you honestly vote Conservative, fine. But know that the Conservatives have demonstrated that won’t play with parliament and that they find the opinions of Canadians as represented by the politicians to be irreleant to governance.
