Harper’s first substantial policy announcement this election is a pullout of Afghanistan in 2011. More muddle from a man who would be king. Makes you wonder if this is not just more Harper pandering to Quebec voters, given the timing and the lack of substance to the “policy” position.
Dear readers, this Troop announcement is not news and it is not new…in fact it is not even original to Harper. This is one of the major facts that run contrary to his allegations of a dysfunctional Parliament. The commitment for a 2011 troop return was a decision supported by every party in the last Parliament.
I would have thought Harper would have come up with something original or at least more meat and meaning for such an important policy position. If he wants to be open, accountable and transparent one would hope for something of substance in such an announcement that he could personally take some credit for instead of this rehash of old ideas.
My take is he is not serious about this announcement. It is pure political messaging to Quebec and he has no more intention of keeping to this promise than he did for Income Trusts. If I am right then this is just another bur more shameful exercise of Harper’s style of pandering politics.
So much for a dysfunctional Parliament! So much for Harper trying to make this all-party political on the Afghan troop timing look like it is his alone. More proof Mr. Harper is not a leader. He is a misleader.
Is this a little like the Liberal promise a few elections ago to scrap the GST? You can’t honestly think political pandering is a trait unique to Harper? If politicians were honest Dion would change the name from Green Shift to Green Shaft for all of us here in the west.
ReplyDeleteJ
The Income Trust PROCESS was handled improperly, but still had to be halted - on this there is no discussion - the damage to Government Revenues would have been huge. So a practical Harper decision although not a popular one.
ReplyDeleteThe Afghanistan mission was made with a Liberal Government living up to a NATO commitment to send our ill-equipped, revenue-starved military into action. Luckily Hillyer was able to impart the fact effectively that "soldiers kill people - that is what they do" and embarrass the Government to spend a lot more money to produce a modern, effective army - not some wimpy ineffective peace keeper silliness.
However, Harper is right to set a deadline for withdrawal to clear the air that the message to NATO is that we have done enough heavy lifting, and that the Europeans can't have it both ways. The Euros can't hide behind the safety provided by active NATO countries and revile the same folks that provide them safety. The other NATO members now have a clear message that it is time to step up
2557 days without a terrorist attack on N. American soil. Thank you George Bush!!
It may not be popular to change your mind or clarify a direction during an election, but it is certainly honorable and a requirement of responsible people.
What's even more popular?
ReplyDeleteNot promising things you have no intention of delivering.