Dear Globe and Mail: We’re taking back democracy with a vengeance

This is a guest post by my friend, Maia Green. She wrote this letter in response to the Globe and Mail’s endorsement of Stephen Harper in Election 41.

Dear Globe and Mail,

I was deeply saddened and frankly downright angry when I woke up this morning to see (and then read) the editorial endorsing Harper. And not only for the obvious reasons of it crushing any last dreams I had of the media at least pretending to be an unbiased source of news, or the fact that it was Harper they were endorsing. It saddened and angered me for more reasons than that.  I’ll start at the beginning.

“We are nearing the end of an unremarkable and disappointing election campaign, marked by petty scandals, policy convergences and a dearth of serious debate” – Really?? Unremarkable? Disappointing?  We have had record-breaking numbers of voters turning out to have their voices heard in the advanced polls.  We have the NDP gaining serious ground across the country. We have the youth of the country engaging in politics in new, innovative, ground-breaking and hopefully game-changing ways.  We are on the verge of electing the first Green MP to parliament (in all of US or Canadian history). Canadians abroad are mobilized and working as a group to have their voices heard. Canada’s democracy has been threatened and Canadians all over are standing up for it. To me this election is marked by youth engagement, hope, community-building, passion and hunger for change, social media and mostly by just how remarkable and unpredictable this election has turned out to be. If you’ve been disappointed, I very respectfully suggest that you step out of the Editorial room more often and into the community – be it on the streets, or on the internet.  I am happy to send you numerous amazing links that will fill your spirit with excitement and a vision for the type of future that is possible for Canadians and that Canadians want.

“Canadians deserved better.” – I agree with you on this point if you are referring to the outcome of the 2008 election, when you also endorsed Harper. (Please see www.shitharperdid.com)

“We were not presented with an opportunity to vote for something bigger and bolder, nor has there been an honest recognition of the most critical issues that lie ahead: a volatile economy, ballooning public debts and the unwieldy future of our health-care system. “ – This is simply not true.  In fact, these critical issues are being talked about and recognized at debates all across the country, but the current government chooses not to show up to many of these debates. (http://bit.ly/dT3tZN)   And we have been presented with the opportunity to vote for something bigger and bolder, but she wasn’t allowed in the debate, so you might not have heard of her (I’m talking about Elizabeth May). Also, in general, I think you have missed the mark on this one.  While these are all very important issues that you mention, you seem to not be up to date on what it is Canadians actually want from their government. (Please see http://www.leadnow.ca/en/declaration for clarification)

You continue on to say, “The challenges facing our next federal government do not end there, of course. The next House of Commons must find new ways to protect Parliament, the heart of our democracy. It needs to reform its troubled equalization program without straining national unity. Relations with the U.S. are at a critical juncture. Any thickening of the border threatens to punish all Canadians, while negotiations over perimeter security have implications for national sovereignty and economic security. Wars in Libya and Afghanistan, climate change, Canada’s role in the world, the rapid and exciting change of the country’s ethnic and cultural makeup – the list is great, as is the need for strong leadership in Ottawa.” - I will express my concern over these broad issues with a few key points.  1. Climate Change … since Harper became PM in 2006, Canada has been laughed off the international climate stage with a Fossil of the Year Award in hand every single year.  Harper has never had a scientific briefing on climate change.  2. Protect Parliament – the heart of our democracy…. was that a typo? Did you mean to write prorogue? 3. Canada’s role in the world… are you referring to the amount of aid that he has cut since 2008 or the fact that Canadians are now putting American flags on their backpacks because of how tarnished our international reputation has become?

In the next section you seem to think that the job of the Liberal Party is to show just how bad the “Harper Government” is. Are you suggesting that they didn’t do enough attack ads? Personally I would rather they tell me what THEY are going to do, rather than what Harper didn’t.  As for Layton, don’t we want a leader who can “energize the electorate” and “connect with ordinary people”? Aren’t us ordinary people the majority of Canadians?

And then you talk about leadership… I think… “Only Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party have shown the leadership, the bullheadedness (let’s call it what it is) and the discipline this country needs. He has built the Conservatives into arguably the only truly national party, and during his five years in office has demonstrated strength of character, resolve and a desire to reform. Canadians take Mr. Harper’s successful stewardship of the economy for granted, which is high praise. He has not been the scary character portrayed by the opposition; with some exceptions, his government has been moderate and pragmatic.” – Successful stewardship of the economy, eh? $55+ Billion deficit. $29 Billion on 65 fighter jets. And also, for those ordinary people out there, did you know that over 321,000 Canadians lost their jobs in 2008 and Canadians’ average wages fell. Meanwhile Canada’s 100 wealthiest became richer. Are you starting to see why I felt so sad this morning?

You go on to talk about his disrespect for parliament, for democracy “Mr. Harper could achieve a great deal more if he would relax his grip on Parliament, its independent officers and the flow of information, and instead bring his disciplined approach to bear on the great challenges at hand. That is the great strike against the Conservatives: a disrespect for Parliament, the abuse of prorogation, the repeated attempts (including during this campaign) to stanch debate and free expression. It is a disappointing failing in a leader who previously emerged from a populist movement that fought so valiantly for democratic reforms.” – I am happy to say that we agree on this point.  I just don’t understand how this supports the conclusion you draw at the end.  Or actually, even in the next paragraph, when you say…

“Those who disdain the Harper approach should consider his overall record, which is good.” – Again, please visit www.shitharperdid.com (I know the name is a bit rude, but the facts are real)

I need to skim over the next couple of paragraphs for fear of this getting too long.  As we all know Harper feels that women talk too much and I don’t want to prove him right… (Since 2006, Harper has cut funding for women’s advocacy by 43 per cent, shut 12 out of 16 Status of Women offices in Canada and eliminated funding of legal voices for women and minority groups, including the National Association of Women and the Law and the Courts Challenges Program).  Also, I have already touched on his judgment when it comes to the economic file.  I will say one more thing, which is that it is a bit worrisome that while you do briefly mention climate change, you never mention the environment’s role in the economy, or the environment at all.  And I can’t actually stomach responding to your thoughts on health care.  Everyone is entitled to their opinion and we’ll just have to agree to disagree on this one. Deal?

You end by saying, “The campaign of 2011 – so vicious and often vapid – should not be remembered fondly. But that will soon be behind us. If the result is a confident new Parliament, it could help propel Canada into a fresh period of innovation, government reform and global ambition. Stephen Harper and the Conservatives are best positioned to guide Canada there.” – Let me end by saying that I will remember the campaign of 2011 very fondly, regardless of the outcome.  The true success here is the effect that ordinary people are having on other ordinary people.  A depressed and disengaged Canadian public is waking up, turning on and getting out there to vote for the Canada they want!  We are sticking up for democracy.  We are sticking up for each other.  We are sticking up for Canada!

Yes we need a fresh period of innovation, government reform and global ambition, but Harper has proved that we are not going to get that from him.  He has broken our trust one too many times.  And now we are standing up to say enough is enough.  This election has already made history and I am not going to let the sadness or anger that I felt from your Editorial this morning cloud the inspiration, motivation and passion that I have been feeling from all other aspects of this election.  We have vote-mobs, we have record-breaking voter turnouts, we have new voters, we have videos that inspire and inform, we have values and we have vigor.  So, if you have only seen a campaign that is vicious and vapid, I invite you to join the other campaign, because let me tell you it is vast, vibrant, visionary and taking back democracy with a vengeance!

Love,

Maia