Re:Tories release secret tape of
private NDP meeting, Dec. 1
The staggering incompetence of the Conservatives' do-nothing economic statement while our nation is quaking is one thing. The sheer arrogance of attacking opposition parties' funding, union rights and other politically driven matters when far more important issues need to be addressed is another.
But now the Conservatives are really and truly displaying fascist overtones by covertly taping private conversations. This is unacceptable and undemocratic. Who do they think they are? Where do they draw the ethical line? Do they even have one? Or, should all Canadians who do not follow Conservative ideology now be afraid of what Harper will do next?
This government is poisonous to democratic values and institutions. They must go now. Doing nothing while our nation frets and worries each day is not leadership. It is negligence, stupidity and cowardice.
Edward Fenner, Aurora
Cynical attempts to muzzle the opposition; leaked tapes to discredit elected members of Parliament. What country am I living in?
Comrade Harper and his politburo would have Canadians believe that there is something wrong with the opposition being proactive. Perhaps when the Conservatives stop being reactive, they can take the time to learn a valuable lesson from the opposition.
Tony Nardi, Toronto
Back paddling furiously all the way to the starting post and recording private conversations. What's next from this scurrilous, manipulative and pathetic excuse for a government? Having "rolled the dice," to use a Mulroney term, the Conservatives are now staring defeat in the face, and running scared. Good riddance. I hope the opposition will carry through with the non-confidence vote. A coalition involving the Bloc is troublesome, but not worse than what we have now.
Sigmund Roseth, Mississauga
I assume that covert recordings without some legal permission are illegal. That is, unless Harper has adopted Nixon's Watergate stance, "If the president does it it's not illegal." Harper continues to believe that he has a mandate to bully, lie and withhold information. Nixon was almost impeached for that. Harper forgets that he is a minority Prime Minister because the great majority of the country voted against him. A coalition would best represent Canada. Bring it on!
Eva Saphir, Toronto
After these latest political shenanigans, I am now of the firm opinion Stephen Harper is a worse Prime Minister than George W. Bush was a president of the U.S. Harper and that leprechaun Jim Flaherty are totally blind to the needs of all working Canadians and their families in these dire times. Other countries are doing what they can, our government is doing nothing! Let's see the back of them.
David C. Lawton, Sutton West
When talk of a coalition government began soon after the economic statement was read, I had a strong feeling that this strategy had been discussed long before Nov. 27. As the tape recording proves, Jack Layton has been in deep backroom discussions with the Bloc for weeks. Layton had little intention of supporting any bill brought forward by the Conservatives.
Is Layton a champion of "working families," sympathetic to the plight of Canadians struggling in uncertain economic times? Or an opportunist, laughing and chortling with cohorts and assorted NDP minions on the telephone as he jokes about his planned palace coup?
Since elected to Parliament, Layton has pranced around Ottawa, full of arrogant self-importance. And now Canadians face the possibility of this man conspiring with the Bloc – a party dedicated to Quebec's separation – as part of a ruling coalition government.
Jack is all about Jack. "Working families" is just a convenient phrase to this man.
Peter Young, Oshawa
