I hate hyperbole and extreme language. I consider them the second last resort of those who have the weakest arguments. (The last resort is always personal attacks rather than sticking to debating the issue). Sometimes, however, there is no other language that will suffice. The simple fact is that our system of laws and government is under attack but not from without, it is being undermined by the very people who have been elected and appointed to protect and enforce it. Consider these recent examples:
1. The premier of Ontario refuses to protect the citizens of Caledonia, Ontario when private property is aggressively “occupied” by a band of native protesters. Even worse, the premier and the Ontario Provincial Police refuse to enforce a court order to remove the native protesters. They further refuse to protect citizens who were assaulted or who had their homes vandalized.
2. In Ottawa, the mayor refuses to take action against the Occupy protest claiming it is the responsibility of the National Capital Commission because the protesters are on federal property. He does, however, authorize more than $40,000 in expenses to pick up garbage. The NCC supplies the protesters with portable toilets at taxpayer expense. The city police refuse to make arrests for illegal drug use claiming it is the responsibility of the RCMP who are silent and nowhere to be found. Used hypodermics litter the property.
3. A year ago in Toronto, a Chinese Canadian, who owned and operated a grocery, was arrested and charged with kidnapping after he chased and apprehended a thief who had stolen from his store a second time that same day. The crown struck a deal with the thief to testify against the grocer. Fortunately, the courts displayed more common sense than the prosecutor and the police and the charges were thrown out of court.
4. The premiers of Ontario and Quebec are balking at paying for the implementation of the federal government’s new crime bill which is in direct violation of the Canadian Constitution. The Constitution mandates the federal government the authority to legislate criminal law and the provinces to implement it.
5. The Liberal Party of Canada walks out of parliament and refuses to vote on legislation introduced to confirm the appointment of the new Auditor General elevating voter apathy to a new high and bring political grandstanding to a new low.
6. In Calgary, the comedy of hypocrisy continues as the mayor refuses to enforce city bylaws against Occupy Calgary in order to respect their right to protest but authorizes impoundment of counter-protesters truck.
7. In Vancouver, the mayor refused to act to enforce fire, bylaws against camping and health and safety regulations until after a young woman died from a drug overdose.
8. In Newfoundland, the new premier is elected and promptly announces she and her cabinet are at work but the legislature will not be called until spring.
9. The federal government unilaterally announces it will close the Wheat Board to protect prairie grain farmers despite the overwhelming protest against the move by those same farmers.
The list goes on and on but it is clear that we are governed by those who have no respect for the laws they legislate or are sworn to uphold.
Every day in this country, our laws and our system of government are eroded by politicians who refuse to act unless they think it is safe. We are governed by those who are more opportunistic than leaders and the cynicism is appalling.
It is said that a democracy gets the government it deserves by the choices it makes but increasingly, there is no real choice for the electorate. Politicians from all parties exhibit the same disrespect for its citizens and its own laws which undermine the very foundations on which this country is built. It doesn’t matter if they are small major or minor laws; the unwillingness of politicians to do the right thing simply makes them mediocre managers.
It is a disgrace to our constitution. It is a shameful lack of respect for their individual offices and it deprives the electorate of the very thing it elects them to do. In that way, it is our political leaders who are the single biggest threat to the one thing we hold most dear…..our democracy.
It’s small wonder fewer and fewer people vote in elections. Our politicians continue to prove that it is almost pointless.
© 2011 Maggie's Bear
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