 Smiling while destroying the country |
From David Olive, blogging at the Toronto Star: A radical re-invention of government.
Stephen Harper proposes fixed election dates; an elected Senate, its members serving 6-year fixed terms, selected by voters in each province; MP vetting of Supreme Court nominees and senior mandarins, starting with military staff; and power for MPs to overturn Supreme Court decisions.
Which means: a Prime Minister could no longer be deposed or eased out in mid-term — the fate of Margaret Thatcher and Jean Chrétien when they lost the support of their caucus. Legitimate power for the upper house (Senate) for the first time, with the same profound implications of deadlock and regional parochialism that characterizes the U.S. system. Diminished power for ministers, as MPs meddle in their departments; and a neutering of the Supreme Court, whose final say in interpreting the Constitution and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms would be eclipsed by backbench MPs.
Probably nine Canadians out of 10 who can identify Tory policies would mention taxes and honest government. How many voters realize this is an election about dismantling the work of the Fathers of Confederation?
For insight into Stephen Harper’s policies, as well as important 2004 federal election news events, click on VanRamblings’ full Decision Canada coverage.
