Stephen Harper's Assault on Democracy

[marmar]

from the Toronto Star:




Dollars and democracy
Published On Thu Jan 20 2011


Prime Minister Stephen Harper is again threatening to use the public financing of political parties as a wedge issue in a federal election that seems more and more likely in the coming months.

While ending public financing may mean approximately $27 million in savings for the public purse, it will seriously damage most of the political opposition the Tories face and could well result in a one-sided democracy in Canada, with the Conservatives as the only viable federal party.

We all know that would suit the governing style of this Prime Minister. Even though the Conservatives claim they stand to lose the most in public financing, they are well aware that the Liberal and New Democratic parties would be devastated with the loss of about 50 per cent of their revenues, while the Bloc Québécois would be out more than 80 per cent of its income. The Green party would also lose approximately half its income. In contrast, Conservatives would be out by just over 30 per cent, but would lose the largest amount in dollars.

The most troubling aspect of the proposed elimination of the public financing of political parties is that Harper and his Reform party sanctioned a “constitutional trade-off” to allow public financing that dates back to their own days in opposition under the Chrétien government. .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/article/924883--dollars-and-democracy

[Laelth]

1. Excellent essay.

Sadly, Canada is going the way of the U.S., but at least they're doing it more slowly.

-Laelth

[PDJane]

2. If harper gets away with this,

The changes will speed up until they are unstoppable.

He's an extremely controlling, secretive and manipulative man; and he's elected mostly on the strength of the western provinces. The only hope is that he loses all support from the central provinces and BC.

[applegrove]

4. I read a biography of him. He really does hate all liberals and I guess, as this article shows,

liberal democracy.

[PDJane]

6. Yep. He does.

That's what worries me.....and why he was best buds with Bush.

[Catherina]

3. Rec'd n/t

[tuvor]

5. "The Harper Attack on Canadian Democracy Documented"

He's done a lot in his five-year minority rule:

http://drivingtheporcelainbus.blogspot.com/2010/01/harper-attack-on-canadian-democracy.html