It’s not prorogation, on its own, that puts us on the path to despotism. It’s the cumulative weakening of our democratic defenses, and more important, of our democratic instincts. Each new precedent conditions us to accept the next, and the next, to the point that if we ever do arrive at the end of the Tyranny line, no one will even know, let alone care: we will have nothing left to compare it to. (We scoff at such overheated rhetoric now, but if Canadians in the 1950s had been presented with the package of changes that have occurred since then in the way we are governed, they would have risen up in revolt.)
http://www2.macleans.ca/2010/01/05/stop-or-ill-tour/
4 comments:
THe proverbial frog in the boiling water.
There comes a time when the people have to take back their government.
James, as you know and according to the Toronto Star article today:
"Liberal MPs have decided to defy Prime Minister Stephen Harper's shutdown of Parliament by showing up for work anyway in Ottawa the last week of January."
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/746615--house-shut-liberals-to-report-for-work-anyway
I welcome your thoughts on my new blog post entitled:
"I'm just a bill, stuck here on Parliament Hill"- On Prorogation, State Immunity and Tyranny
http://thetrialwarrior.blogspot.com/2010/01/im-just-bill-stuck-here-on-parliament.html
Antonin
It's a nice sentiment but how much blame for this situation are you Liberals willing to take on? If you're serious about this issue where were you in the 90's when you guys had power and it was us Westerners screaming about autocratic rule from central Canada?
I agree that parliament has become undemocratic and pointless but funny enough now that my guys are in power I don't feel near the urge to reform as I did a few years ago. I remember when Liberals scoffed, mocked, and generally yawned at our concerns and now that it is the Liberals yipping in pain I have little sympathy.
Maybe that's the real problem. Maybe if you guys are sincere and not just bleating now while out of government something might be possible. But I have to say I'll need a lot more that your "good" word to trust your intentions on this.
Post a Comment