The Con Game

As the Governor General was reading the Throne Speech, we of course had news that day that the crime rate has once again dropped, year over year and in fact has been on a steady decline for the past 3 decades.

That of course doesn't jibe with Harper's "keep 'em scared" agenda, so of course he went ahead to create a ridiculous omnibus crime Bill. Imagine a PM telling the public that crime is on the rise and must be addressed, when the truth states the contrary? Perhaps I missed it, but on all the political shows I watched, the hosts focused on the Bill and how Dion would respond, rather than stating the obvious. Crime is down so why is this necessary?

What's really odd about this Bill is that they sound so ridiculous trying to defend the move. I suppose that doesn't bother them as they must be used to that by now. I'm sure to their way of thinking, this makes them look "tough on crime".

In an interesting move today, the Liberals stated once again that they are willing to fast track the bill. The con's can continue to suggest that the opposition is slowing down their crime agenda, but it's patently false.

This whole "crime" agenda doesn't end there though. A prison review panel is due to report to government. They will recommend scrapping mandatory release. Like most things, this is a complicated issue. Sadly, it's yet another one that the con's can put simple words to. They can woo the masses with simplistic statements like, "who could argue with not letting criminals before they've done their time?". That misses the point of course, but they cannot speak to what is important.

Simplistic is obviously the modus operandi of the Conservatives. 5 points, keep it simple, that's all the people of this country can digest. Smart politics? Maybe, but it is such an insult to who we are, I'm surprised it works. I know we are in the age of quick, quick, sound bite, next...but that does not mean that we cannot digest larger, grander concepts. Good grief, anyone who has a life knows that we balance complex issues every day.

The point is, the con's choose complex issues and frame them in terms that make your life easier. They are basically saying, we won't bother you with details, trust us, we'll look after you. Interesting coming from a Party who out of the other side of their mouths say, "we trust you to look after yourselves and we don't believe that government should do that". Hypocrisy is not something they shy away from.

What is most disturbing to me, is that this issue and many others have been reduced to political posturing, strategy and tactics. The important and much larger picture, Good Governance for instance, is being ignored.

Where is the question, is this good for the country? That seems to have escaped every one's purview, specifically those who should be asking the tough questions.

Bottom line, the con's are implementing flawed legislation, by stealth. This is very bad for the country my friends. That's not meant to frighten, it's truth.