Harper's False Reassurance

Emma's great comment about the 'steady hand' got me thinking.

Sept. 11th 2001, a new president Bush faced the attacks on the World Trade Centers. Since then he has been the national security president.

- he threw civil rights out the window with the Patriot Act
- he threw human rights and the Geneva Convention out the window with Guantanamo Bay
- he started two endless wars and bankrupted the country.
- heading for an election in 2004, he invaded Iraq and lied about the reason to the American people in 2003, to appear that he was doing something on behalf of their security while moving Saddam Hussein out of the way of the oil.
- he's broken down diplomatic relations and created tensions throughout the world.
- he presided over the worst economic record of any president and the current global financial crisis, his lame duck status endangering the financial system further with a failure to gain the trust of Congress and the people.

He sent a message that what he did was for the safety of the American people.

People throughout the world reject the idea of John McCain as president, yet John McCain claims experience in foreign policy that will keep America safe. Bomb, bomb, bomb Iran safe.

'George Bush is the safe bet in difficult times', that was the message in 2004.

'Stephen Harper is the safe bet for Canada in difficult times', that is the Conservative message. 'We are in an economic crisis and need a steady hand.'

Think of what we are asked to give up for this 'safety'.
- real income tax cuts
- any real plan to address climate change.
- anything to address the manufacturing crisis.
- anything to address the state of our seniors quality of life.
- anything to help the infrastructure in this country survive, let alone change for the future.
- our promise for 0.7% in development aid, the Kelowna Accord, our Kyoto commitments.
- we lose out on the building of communities, and instead we build jails.
- any real effort to address child poverty and homelessness.
- everything we hope and dream for for our country.
- a society that cares for those who are vulnerable.
- our self-determination

Some people like a comfort zone. Yet they risk everything that life offers for that comfort. That comfort is dangerous.

Reject it, learn from the Americans' experience. Vote courageously.

arif