Many things can put democracy in peril
Re: “Democracy in peril from the left,” Feb. 11
The column by Paul McLennan is interesting and perhaps a little frightening. Considering the practice of all newspapers, Mr McLennan is probably not the author responsible for the headline, but regardless, one needs to be aware that democracy can be in peril from the right as well. The column suggests that even if it was unintended. Regardless of which side of the spectrum the threat emanates, democracy can also be endangered by various things including a system that allows a minority to elect a government. The U.S. has just had an administration elected by a minority and most Canadian governments are elected by a minority of those who bother to vote. Fortunately both countries have other safeguards in place which is not true for many countries.
The column refers to “slapping on a few labels” and then flagrantly distorting things. One would be hard pressed to find columns by Mr. McLennan that did not have a few labels “slapped on” along with some distortion relating to them. For instance, he waves about the term “democracy” but one needs to be know what it means as the former East Germany was officially known as the German Democratic Republic when it was anything but a democracy in most Western eyes. Democracy should mean government by the people, rule by the majority of people, with respect for minority rights.
McLennan complains of obstruction of the governing process by U.S. President Donald Trump’s opponents dragging out meetings and confirmations but makes no mention of things like the refusal of action by the Republicans in power to even discuss a legal nomination by the former president. If one is concerned about lies and innuendo, it should be hard to avoid the rhetoric on the campaign trail but that is apparently not the case. He appears to belittle promotion of “love and acceptance of all races, religions, and minorities” and speaks of signs with disgusting and demeaning slogans but offers no recognition or mention of some the signage seen at some of the Trump rallies.
As a former officer of the law, one would expect his recognition of the fact that everyone must obey the law, including presidents and prime ministers and it is the role of the courts to determine if the law has been bent, broken or ignored. “Lawful authority to act” comes from within the law, not outside or beyond it. It is disconcerting to see one who was responsible for applying and dispensing law and order promoting violence with a punch in the nose although many would see some justification in that type of action against a bully. That being said, his comment would certainly apply with some merit to the situation relating to Mr. Trump who is without doubt a bully who seems to want to behave like he is still on his TV reality show. He behaves as if he is free to do as he pleases and answering to no one rather than as a responsible world leader who still is expected to obey the law. Without doubt, he is certainly receiving a few figurative punches for his actions at the moment.
Perhaps we truly are in an age of alternative facts and truth and people are free to just create their own. It is to be hoped that is not the case.
Jerry Smith Medicine Hat