Election ’15: It’s back to the attack
Re Harper moves directly into attack mode on GTA stop, Aug. 4 Instead of simply informing us of its platform, the governing party is forcing us to pay for and endure an extended campaign, designed by professionals to manipulate our thinking.
Its favourite manipulation tool is the personal attack ad, which contains two false arguments. An isolated video clip, taken out of context, is used to make a sweeping negative conclusion about an individual. The object here is to make us believe all ideas from this person are without merit. Attacking the individual and not his or her arguments is an attempt to avoid open honest debate on issues affecting all Canadians.
Would a political party with a platform strong enough to stand on its own merit resort to using personal attack ads? Graeme Gardiner, Sidney, B.C. The attack mode is all Stephen Harper has. What else has he got to offer Canadians? He says he has experience, but I say 10 years of the same sneaky, divisive, nasty, mean-spirited and undemocratic behaviour is enough of the Harper experience. Keith Parkinson, Cambridge, Ont. Harper cultivates an aura of paranoia, implying that Canada is under a constant security threat. Whereas Canada used to be thought of as a peacekeeping country, Harper is at war with his own MPs, muzzling them if they dare to express independent opinions. Similarly with scientists. Any group that disagrees with him is on his enemies list. This type of attitude hardly safeguards an economy. On the contrary, it stifles any creative approaches to boosting the economy.
A great leader allows people to flourish and doesn’t favour only those who support his rigid views. Harper’s self-aggrandizement is tiresome and impeding the growth of Canada. Diane Sullivan, Toronto Your editorial of Aug. 3 nails Harper’s latest legerdemain. These Tories have heaped one shameless trick after another on us in nine years of their exploitative rule over Canada. You are absolutely right: it’s high time to call their bluff and put an end to the nation’s misery under them.
But what I still can’t figure out is why the NDP and the Liberals can’t get together to nail the Tories’ coffin? Karamatullah Ghori, Richmond Hill Re They’re off, Aug. 3 One can hardly call this a surprise election call when the media have been telling us for some time that it was going to happen this weekend. In addition, in the so-called Fair Elections Act of last year Mr. Harper provided for increased party spending limits if the campaign is longer than the 37-day minimum, a pretty clear indicator that this double-length campaign was already in the workings of that devious and cynical mind. Michael Edwards, Etobicoke The media should focus on the real issue of Canada’s future trajectory; less on the fiscal deficit the Tories are leaving us, and more on the democratic deficit that has ballooned under their stewardship; how our new prime minister would undo the harms done to Canada’s reputation both at home and abroad; how s/he would wean us altogether from carbon-based fuels and narrow the growing gap between haves and haves-not that jeopardizes our peace and security far more than any international threat. A longer election period may be bad for many reasons, but it is surely a good opportunity to generate more intelligent and informed discussions. Salvatore Amenta, Stouffville, Ont. There should be a law banning defamation of character when it comes to the political process. Why is it tolerated, especially from our PM? Should elections not be about issues?
I am already tuning out the election because it is beginning not with issues but with character assassination and public school type vendettas against the opposition. It delegitimizes the entire process. Rita Schneider, Toronto I am so sick and tired of the personal attack ads on “Justin” (and specifically omitting “Trudeau”) that they are having the opposite effect on me. If one must attack, then attack the party, not the individual. Ela Mazur, Toronto
“I am so sick and tired of the personal attack ads on ‘Justin’ (and specifically omitting ‘Trudeau’) that they are having the opposite effect on me.” ELA MAZUR, TORONTO
The leaders of the Liberal, Green and New Democratic parties must put aside their egos and personal goals for the good of the 60 per cent plus of the voters who do not vote for the Conservatives. They have the opportunity to defeat the government in October.
It is simple. Run only one opposition unity candidate in ridings that are held by the Conservatives, or where they are a threat, to take an opposition riding. In ridings where the opposition parties are the main contenders, run multiple candidates. In short, do not split the opposition vote.
There is talk of a coalition government if the Conservatives win a minority government. Follow my suggestion and ensure that the progressive parties will control the government after the election. Gerry Boutet, Etobicoke Re Mulcair won’t debate without Harper, July 31 What’s the point of having a debate if there is no one there to defend government policies? The PM should be there to defend his record. If not, have a closet on stage with an empty chair in it to make an example of his style of leadership. And, oh yes, have a photographer there to make it a photo op. Allan McPherson, Newmarket I agree with the NDP’s stance that all party leaders should be invited and that all must agree to participate. Few Canadians will have the time (or the inclination) to watch all the debates, so each national debate event should include all party leaders. A well-informed electorate is a prerequisite for democracy. Freya Keddie, Victoria, B.C. Why doesn’t the Star acknowledge that Stephen Harper is the Prime Minister of Canada? In at least seven articles on Aug, 5, he was referred to only as the Conservative leader, never as prime minister. Joan Forsey, Toronto It has been noted on Facebook and Twitter that, as Parliament is now dissolved, technically, Harper is not prime minister and should not be referred to as such. May we all have the pleasure of knowing, come Oct. 19, that Aug. 1 was the final day Canada had to endure this tyrant. Gail Bennett, Toronto Just what Canadians want: a prime minister with a vendetta against some premiers and provinces. If his intention is for provinces to go it alone, why have a federal government? Let’s vote for someone, anyone, who will be a prime minister of all the provinces and people. Sharon Kirkham, Toronto Since Harper has so many taxpayer dollars to spend on election goodies (bribes?), why not a raccoon-riddance tax credit for residents of Toronto? Douglas Higgins, Grafton, Ont. How experienced was Harper when he was elected 10 years ago? Perhaps the only experience he had was to emulate George W. Bush and his neocons. Let me assure Harper that nothing can be worse than the present government, which has divided the country, provinces and cities as well with its scare-mongering tactics. Shafic Kara, Markham Speaking of just not ready, Stephen Harper was 47 years old, and had never worked anywhere but in politics, when he became prime minister. Justin Trudeau will be 44 this year and has had work experience outside politics.
Who’s not ready? Michael Farrell, Oakville Harper and Donald Trump would make a great team. They both use lies and name-calling to attack opponents. The Conservatives have put Canada’s political election campaign on par with U.S.-style electioneering. They have resorted to aggressive attack ads against Trudeau and Mulcair, portraying them as incompetent, and use mudslinging and fear mongering. Harper and Trump are the Abbott and Costello of politics. Vince Last, Brampton Re Harper promises home renovation tax credit, Aug. 4 Harper is back at it, inventing boutique tax credits that are of most benefit to the affluent. When he said: “The home renovation tax credit helps every homeowner regardless of income,” he was dead wrong. It won’t help the many lower-income owners whose incomes have stagnated for over a decade, are having trouble making ends meet and can’t afford to renovate.
Harper should give up his idea of the state as a boutique for the affluent and confront the high levels of poverty and growing inequality that are dogging the Canadian economy. Sid Frankel, Professor, Faculty of Social Work, University of Manitoba At an election rally on Monday, Justin Trudeau spoke with elegance and truth when stating that the PM lashes out at all those who don’t follow his ideologies.
Canada needs a leader who can work within the framework of Confederation and its founding principles, not one who condemns provincial leaders for doing things on their own because they get no support from the federal government due to political indifference.
Shame on the PM for his words and lack of leadership. Canada needs to be strong and united. And he tells us that “Justin” is not ready to be PM? Bruce Compton, Pickering Messrs Mulcair and Trudeau both claim a desire and a need for a new government, and I do not disagree with them. However, it is clear to anybody who can count that the only way the Harper government can be defeated in a FPTP election is if the Liberals and the NDP combine into one party. So, get on with it, and give the voters an alternative to Harper’s Conservatives. Otherwise, no need to waste our time. Helge Knudsen, Freelton, Ont. I listened to Harper’s question-and-answer session with reporters following his visit with the governor-general. Of great interest was his defensiveness when answering questions regarding additional costs relating to an 11-week campaign rather than a normal 37-day campaign.
He insisted that parties must follow spending limits set out in law. He also stated emphatically that parties must spend their own money and not rely on taxpayers to fund their campaigns.
What he failed to mention was that the law — his law — states that each party receiving 10 per cent of the vote will get 50 per cent back from the taxpayers after the election. Not a good idea to start a campaign by fudging the truth. Garth Goodhew, North Bay, Ont. The voters are tired of Harper. They don’t trust Mulcair. They feel Justin isn’t ready. Is there a fourth choice? Unfortunately not. Close your eyes and hold your nose this time, folks. Douglas Cornish, Ottawa Oh, great! Now we will be subjected to nearly three months of politicians making promises they have no intention of keeping. R.G.M. Hopper, Scarborough So, the Harper farewell tour begins. A passable garage-band player, Harper unfortunately struggled to achieve even that level as a prime minister. Here’s hoping that, like so many musical groups that disband after reaching their “best before” date, there’s no prospect of a reunion tour down the road. Terry Kushnier, Scarborough One of the risks to Harper of so lengthy a campaign is that by the time it’s over, Justin may, in fact, be ready. Anita Dermer, Toronto