PC CONVENTION SPAWNS MORE CYNACISM

“For, after all, how do we know that two and two make four? Or that the force of gravity works? Or that the past is unchangeable? If both the past and the external world exist only in the mind, and if the mind itself is controllable—what then?”

George Orwell, 1984

The provincial Progressive Conservatives put on quite a show over-the-weekend. The media coverage was okay, The Premier announced that she is in discussions with Quebec over energy. She also indicated that the free fall in the polls is keeping her government in check. (on their toes)

I thought the later comment was interesting. What does it mean? Frankly, I thought her refusal to sanction her Minister of Municipal Affairs for a couple of arrogant gaffes indicate that what the public thinks is irrelevant. This government may want you to think they are in check, when in reality it is milk it for what it is worth time. 

If the Premier does not have the political will to issue a decree that the type of political manipulation demonstrated in Gander is unacceptable than it makes her assurances of being grounded less believable. 

Is it possible that this style of subverting democracy so predominates the day-to-day management of nearly every aspect of government that it cannot be undone.

Our government has been caught manipulating the outcome of on-line polls, of shutting down decent, manipulating call-in-shows, punishing journalists, using their majority to weld shut public-access to information and generally operating with disdain for the voter.

That once again we have throwaway lines that create more cynicism and contempt. After all this is an administration that from the start has taken a with me or against me approach on public policy, employment and so-called consultation.  

With the less than 25% of the population showing trust or confidence in the government, democracy is in crisis. To me, this is the crux of the issue, which is the crisis in democracy. If you cannot trust your leaders to do what is right than you have a compromise of democracy and how the system should work.

With three quarters of a million dollars in cash on hand, control of the government till and two years remaining until the next provincial election, folks might as well remember that truth and reality are malleable.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, Shame on me.