NESTRUCK: RE: "From one political gang to another"

[Oscar]

NESTRUCK: RE: "From one political gang to another"

From: shane Nestruck
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2015 9:54 PM
To: Letters WFP
Cc: Paul Samyn
Subject: Absolutely!

The Editor, Winnipeg Free Press

Dear sir:

RE: today’s editorial: ‘From one political gang to another’ (EXCERPT below . . .)
[ http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinio ... -top-story ]

This editorial is by far your most accurate WFP editorial in many years.

Yes “the bedrock principles of the Liberals and Conservatives aren’t that different, except perhaps in style.”

Yes, they insist on wearing ‘gang colours’... only it’s the ties not the bandanas.

Yes they both serve themselves and their corporate friends instead of the citizens of the country.

But there is one glaring misconception at the very end of the editorial: The “crude self-interest” of Mr. Soudas and Ms. Adams has not substantively diminished the public's faith in politics. It is that very crude, gang-like self-interest that so epitomizes both the Liberals and Conservatives that, for instance, refuses to address the way the First Past The Post system has crippled our democracy, alienated a huge portion of the population, and kept 'the gangs’ in power with their false majorities for decades and decades.

Notably, the editorial does not express the slightest hope that this ‘gang behaviour’ is likely to change under either Trudeau or Harper.

Shane Nestruck
shanedn@shaw.ca
381 Arnold Ave.
Winnipeg, MB R3l 0W8
h 204-474-2588
c 204-510-8828
shanednblog.net


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From one political gang to another

[ http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinio ... -top-story ]

By: editorial Posted: 02/11/2015 3:00 AM

EXCERPT:

The latest switcheroo, however, is one of the most remarkable in recent Canadian history. Not only did longtime Conservative loyalist Eve Adams bolt for the Liberals this week, so did her fiancé, Dimitri Soudas, a key Harper soldier who helped manage the Conservatives' 2011 election and was, until recently, working on the party's 2015 re-election strategy.

The Harper gang may not be unhappy about losing Ms. Adams, but the desertion of Mr. Soudas to the enemy camp could be enormously damaging, depending on how many trade secrets he is prepared to share.

Like other defectors, Ms. Adams has tried to frame her move in high moral terms. Prime Minister Stephen Harper, she said, was a bully and the Conservatives no longer represented her values. She said she opposed the income-splitting plan.

Of course, she was perfectly happy with Mr. Harper for the last decade and she had vigorously supported his tax plan. The real problem was the national Conservative council had decided she could not run for office because of misconduct over a nomination issue.

Well, as a lifestyle politician, she needed to go somewhere and Justin Trudeau's gang looked like the best bet.

As for Mr. Soudas, his treachery and backstabbing is more serious because of his ability to divulge Mr. Harper's darkest secrets to the opposition.

Of course hundreds of politicians have crossed the floors of Parliament and their provincial legislatures over the decades. But what does it say about politics and ideology if elected officials can switch parties as easily as they change their underwear? How is it possible that Ms. Adams and Mr. Soudas were fierce advocates of a Conservative political philosophy one day, and then a completely different ideology the next day?

Well, it could be that the bedrock principles of the Liberals and Conservatives aren't that different, except perhaps in style. Or it could be that the deserters are no better than common gang members, who can get their rewards from any political outfit that looks like it might end up on top.

There are many theories today about whether ideology is still significant in a fast-changing world where most parties are trying to appeal to the perceived needs of the general public, rather than promoting deeply held ideals about how society should be organized.

The crude self-interest demonstrated by Mr. Soudas and Ms. Adams, however, diminishes the business of politics and reinforces the public's cynicism about the motives of their representatives.

- - -

Editorials are the consensus view of the Winnipeg Free Press’ editorial board, comprising Catherine Mitchell, David O’Brien, Shannon Sampert, and Paul Samyn.