A penny’s worth of principles is greater than Conservative’s $90K check of values
Whatever the outcome of the Mike Duffy trial, P.E.I. may soon have the characters, the makings of an ‘infamous’ political fable to revile the celebrated tale of Anne of Green Gables. Yes, a more nefarious tale: how a modern-day oblivious KingHarper; his officious formerPMO Chief of Staffer; and a hoodwinked former-Eg(g)o from P.E.I...no he’s from Ottawa...no, no, his Senate residency clause say he’s from Cavendish....Whatever!..... A tale of how they all came to be disgracefully hauled from the esteemed national halls of power. Lucy Maud Montgomery’s story about Anne of Green Gables speaks of a time past when character, integrity, values, and rock-solid ethics (even genuine dissent) was the valued (island) character of days gone by. Years from now what will be the transformed ‘facts turned to fiction’ recounting the difficulties of former-CTV Ottawa bureau chief who hails from the Island? I suspect Senator Mike Duffy’s trial and difficulties of falling into public disgrace will be suitably recounted as the fable of How (King Harper)Humpty....how deceiving former-PMO chief of staffer Mr. Wright...and how a disgraced, duped (Dumped) Duffy were all conjoined in national dishonor of a fall from the esteemed “Halls of Power”. Why? Because it comes down to the difference between what Canadians value as “truth as facts” and “truth as values.”
With this riddle of a litany of financial forensic evidence and testimonies being unveiled during the yet to be ruled on trial of Senator Mike Duffy, what are the value judgements Canadians should attach to the main players’ - all dodging either knowledge of, collusion or culpabilities in, or criminal intent behind the ambiguous senate expense rules scandal, and attempted “$90,175 cheque” cover-up? And, ultimately, what are the values of moral fiber of these characters who drafted and deposited the repayment cheque attempting to make Mike Duffy’s character whole again? Many Maritimers’ ‘pennies worth of principles’ might far exceed the bottomless pockets of the Conservative Party’s coffers and/or the values of Nigel Wright’s ethical fiber (as a magnanimous millionaire claiming he was just thinking of “the Canadian taxpayers” best interests in this whole dubious, Conservative PR scheme).
If a children’s nursery rhyme can teach us anything, it’s this: a King’s court is only as divinely ordained as all the strength of the ethics and integrities of those characters who make up the official PMO staff advisers. And when the elasticity of the ethics of the chief of staff (and his administrative team) slackens and frays, the integrity of King and his rule over Canada’s courtand-castle sits on a foundation more fit for contempt than for reverence of crown.
As for this trial of unscrupulous shenanigans of how men with no shame operate in our public house with no rules, what of the other part? What will Canadians fill in as its meaning come Election Day? What ethical meaningful, or meaningless part will we Canadians play when ultimately cashing it all in, in the court of public opinion this fall? Harper keeps insisting no involvement and knowledge of “the monstrous scheme”. End of story! I’m one voter who feels, even though Harper devalued/discontinued the Canadian penny as an extinct denominator of national currency, my penny’s worth of principles will vote on time honoured beliefs: ethnics, responsibility, accountability, and integrity count for something. I will write my cheque on how this fabulous fable’s last chapter unfolds come Oct 19th. Perhaps other Canadians will hand Stephen Harper (the Conservative Party) a ‘bank note’ with insufficient funds to be cashed on the unemployment lines Oct. 20.