Canada Post

Letter sent to Toronto Star:

Much is being made regarding Stephen Harper’s allegiance to the American political right. He contends that the reason he had told the American right wing that they are “a light and an inspiration” and that Canada is “alienating its allies” on Iraq is because he was standing up for Canada’s best interests by giving George W. Bush a political shoulder rub.

At question is whose American opinion of Canada matters. Mr. Harper worries a lot about “anti-Americanism;” acutely in the US political left and chronically in Canada. If “America” equals only George W. Bush, then he has a point.

But it doesn’t.

I was born, raised, and live in the United States. I know who my friends are. My inspiration comes not from Bush, but from Canada. Because my president has not bothered to find Osama bin Laden, I appreciate Canada for lending a hand in Afghanistan. My president and our FEMA—heckuva job notwithstanding—did little in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Instead, my inspiration is the Vancouver Urban Search and Rescue team for their quick and needed response.

Anyone—even those who would be Prime Minister—who contend that Canada has been anything less than a good neighbour is sadly mistaken.

Yet I understand the electorate’s desire to punish the scandalous Liberals. I endorse this; they deserve to lose the government. However, Mr. Harper should not be given a majority. He simply does not represent the Canada that I know and have come to admire. If one is looking to vote against the Liberals, but not make George W. Bush smirk, why not support the NDP instead?

Here’s a bonus: the NDP is right on the issues in this election. It is notable that they offer the only balanced approach to crime and gun smuggling. They are the only credible party to clean up government. They want to work on behalf of ordinary Canadians, not of political movements. On the 23rd, give the NDP a chance.

Unlike Mr. Harper, I would never deride Canada as a “Northern European welfare state in the worst sense of the term, and very proud of it.” Canada is something else: the Western Hemisphere’s best example of how to actually run a decent country.

Call it what you will, but Canadians are right to be proud of that. Don’t give a government to a man that isn’t.

Who Says

We don't make anything in the States anymore?