An Open Letter to Canadians
Published on April 30, 2011 by Jeff Black
Dear Canada,
With just under 48 hours of campaigning left before we go to the polls, it’s time we had the long, hard talk.
Our society is closing. Deliberate steps taken by the Harper Government™ have made the Government of Canada less accessible. If this doesn’t alarm you, then you’re not paying proper attention. History is replete with examples of how the very kind of behaviour we’ve endured under Mr. Harper’s regime can lead to the most catastrophic of political circumstances. Now, as never before in our history, we need to stand up together and send a message. Conservative candidates from coast-to-coast are telling you that this election is an unnecessary waste of $300 million of your tax dollars, but the truth is that the cost is an investment – in our future. Make no mistake about it, this is the fight of our lives and the stakes have never been higher: the soul of our country, and the essence of who we are together. The traditional red flags of a society shutting down are unmistakable.
The current Government has, among other things: taken complete control of the flow of information coming out of our most revered institutions, stifled opposition voices, doctored documentation, lied to Parliament, rebranded itself around a cult of personality, disrupted the political process, muzzled journalists, arrested thousands of peaceful demonstrators, subjugated the civil service, filled the Senate with political insiders and failed politicians, used the same Senate to block legislation passed by legitimately elected officials, continued subsidies to our most profitable industries, cut corporate taxes while raising consumer taxes, withdrawn from our Kyoto commitments, extended combat operations in Afghanistan, made lavish expenditures on unnecessary events, protected the corrupt, chastised and humiliated honest civil servants, shut down the Government to avoid inquiry into its actions (twice), centralized power in Ottawa, supported torture, and campaigned while Parliament was in session.
Whatever our political differences may be, we can all agree that the primary role of government should be the safeguarding of our liberty. Without openness and honesty in government, no liberty can exist among its citizenry. The Harper Government™, through its behaviour, has shown itself continuously to be more concerned with its own agenda than with what Canadians want. In so doing, they are more than in contempt of Parliament – they are in contempt of Canada, and are robbing us of our natural rights. New Democrats believe that in order for true liberty to exist, all citizens must be afforded equal opportunity to succeed – regardless of circumstance. Why should a child born in Toronto have a better chance of growing up without knowing poverty than a child born in Winnipeg? Why should that child have a better opportunity to follow his dreams? Why, in a country as great and rich as this, are we still waiting for a national discussion on child poverty at all? Or dignity for seniors? Or Healthcare? Or Education?
The Harper Government™ has failed to take the lead on issues important to Canadians. Instead, they waste our time telling us we don’t want this election, and we care about the economy. Don’t you think it’s time *we* started telling *them* what we want? We’re tired of the same lines, we’re tired of the same tactics, and we’re tired of the same man. In the 5 years Mr. Harper has had to sell us a vision, the only thing he’s managed to do is paint a picture reminiscent of the absolute governments of the early and mid-20th century. His language manipulation and fear-mongering have worked – I don’t know about you, but I’m absolutely terrified – if we hand this man a majority, it will be the end of democracy in Canada as we know it.
It’s not too late. Our vote is the most powerful weapon in this fight – stronger even than shiny new fighter jets. Our vote is our voice.
On Monday, Mr. Harper will hear my voice from the rooftops. I hope to see you there.
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