Yes, Mr. PM this election is about you
Stephen Harper’s latest TV ad has him saying: “My opponents talk about me rather than the issues.” If true, that might be because Harper has made himself the issue.
This election is not about the economy, or any other issue of the day. It is about the essential framework within which a collective intelligence and industry is inspired to work to provide the best solutions to advance our national and international condition and interest as the need and opportunity arises. That context goes by many names: ethics, values, morality, humanity, obligation, a developed sense of right and wrong.
Harper scores poorly on human traits like openness, conscientiousness, extraversion and agreeableness, and has none of the desirable human qualities like compassion and integrity.
If you think these characteristics are not important for the job he is pursuing, by all means give him your vote. If you want your public face to reflect a noble ambition, look elsewhere. David Owen, Canmore, Alta.
“Let this election be an exercise in restoring our Canadian traditions of kindness and tolerance and getting rid of this wolf of a prime minister in sheep’s clothing.” JOHN FRASER TORONTO
By repeating a word or phrase related to a controversial subject, you run the risk of having your audience focus so intently on the words that they often end up intellectually challenging them to the point of confirming the exact opposite.
Mr. Harper’s constant application of the “He’s not ready” words to Justin Trudeau have resulted in Canadians intensely examining his opinion — with significant numbers concluding that Mr. Harper is wrong. Similarly Mr. Harper’s recent repetition of the words “This election’s not about me” have helped Canadians seriously reflect upon the veracity of this perspective, with most realizing that, in fact, it really is all about him.
Canadians owe a vote of thanks to Mr. Harper and his communications advisers for the opportunity to open our minds to his impressions of both him and Mr. Trudeau and for giving us a longer campaign to let the true meaning of his words sink in. Dr. Calvin Gutkin, Mississauga
The politics of fear and division, characterized by a paranoid obsession with terrorists, the niqab and portraying the opposition as pot-pushing pimps descending on our neighbourhoods.
It is really quite fitting that this ugly spectacle will wind up on Saturday night at a Toronto rally to be hosted by his friends Rob Ford and brother Doug. It has been a sad decade. Richard T.S. Wilson, Victoria
What kind of Canada will we celebrate in 2017, our 150th year of being a strong and vibrant nation? Will Canada be divisive and less democratic or a country to be proud of that cares for the dignity and quality of life for all?
We need a leader who inspires us to be better, who listens and leads through consensus, not one who rules through secrecy and creates prejudice and fear. A good leader should unite us with a bold and optimistic vision. Vital is a leader with integrity who values equity for all including the most vulnerable.
No one can remain silent in this election. This is a decisive moment in the future of our country. We must vote for our deep-rooted values of open democracy, inclusion, peacekeeping and freedom for all Canadians. Real change is possible. Valerie Wright, Ottawa
I have read so many articles by your columnists on how cold and callous Stephen Harper is. Many in the general public also share that view when they have never even met the man. The perception is that he lacks charisma and that he is this cold, calculating man who will do anything to stay in power. Nothing could be further from the truth. He is the most honest straightforward prime minister Canada has ever had. He does what he says he will do, unlike many other politicians who make promises they know that they will never implement. Rick Romain, Toronto
I am passionate about Canada, a nation that stands for peace not war, welcomes refugees based on need rather than wealth or religion, values free speech, and holds in high regard our Supreme Court, where federation means a sharing of responsibilities, dialogue and consensus building.
I care about science, about receiving unfiltered information from our government scientists, about the plight of our disadvantaged, in particular native women and girls. I believe in our ability to be world leaders on climate change and poverty.
I believe in our ability to demonstrate how a society accepting of divergent religions, races and political philosophies can be the best of all countries. By voting I express my passion for the Canada I believe in, in a material and positive way. Gord Humphrey, Port Perry
Canadians will not get to see the fine print of the TPP deal until after the election. What we have found out about the deal is deeply concerning: potential job losses in manufacturing, closure of family dairy farms, an influx of temporary foreign workers and higher prescription drug prices.
This level of secrecy is the MO of the Harper government, just as the refusal to take a clear position on issues like the TPP is the MO of Trudeau’s Liberals. Having the courage of your convictions is what makes a great leader. Secrecy and cowardice are beneath a prime minister. Canadians deserve better. Fraser McGuire, Toronto
A reminder to those staunch lifelong supporters of the Conservative party: You are not voting for the Conservative party of the past. The only honest thing this new party did was to remove “Progressive” from the name. What is left is simply the new name of the Reform party. A strategy of deceit used many times since. Talk about a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Nancy Wilson, Orono
Re Tory candidate says Liberals would ‘mandate’ brothels, Oct. 14 As an ex-resident of Oakville I was disgusted by the comment by Conservative candidate Terence Young that under a Liberal government, “Women would be sold” and there would be a brothel on every corner. Not content with that mistruth, he went on to say that there would be more marijuana stores than Starbucks and we would have drug addicts as neighbours.
It is obvious that the Conservative are so desperate that they will now say anything to stay in power. George Board, Burlington
Terence Young’s outburst is the price the Conservatives have to pay for turning MPs into a pod of trained seals. Michael Farrell, Oakville
Even if Harper is able to eke out a minority win, it won’t last. Trudeau and Thomas Mulcair have both said clearly that they will not support a Harper minority. Further, some 70 per cent of Canadians have said in recent polls they want Harper gone.
After 10 years of Harper’s uber-partisan style of governing, his constant attacking of opponents, and a very negative campaign where he attempted to divide Canadians and pit us against each other — is it any wonder we have had enough of this man?
After 10 years of fear mongering, enough is enough. Ronald Cumber, Toronto
Yes, this election is about Stephen Harper. Canada can do better and Canadians deserve better! Barbara Mercer, Barrie, Ont.
People would not vote for the Reform Party under Preston Manning or Stockwell Day and were reluctant to vote for the Reform-Progressive Conservative Alliance. But once Reform joined with the PCs, it was OK to vote Harper into office, a Reform prime minister! Why? If you would not vote Reform before, why do it now? But do vote! Dr. Andrew A. Cherkas, Stouffville
To those who ask: “Why should we vote?” the answer is simple: because thousands have given their lives to ensure that we have the right to complain about our government without fear of reprisal. If we fail to exercise our rights we do not deserve to have them. Voting is not only a privilege but a responsibility; if you don’t vote, shame on you. Simon Jensen, Cobourg
Let this election be an exercise in restoring our Canadian traditions of kindness and tolerance and getting rid of this wolf of a prime minister in sheep’s clothing. John Fraser, Toronto
An entrepreneurial Tory supporter would be wise to quickly and discreetly corner the national niqab market. The fallout from the Oct. 19 election will likely be sufficient for failed Tories and their supporters to be overcome with a massive desire to hide their shaken visages — assuming of course all available closets have been commandeered by the PMO. Peter A. Murphy, Brampton
A return to power by the diabolical Mr. Harper and his minions would further shred the tolerant, free and democratic fabric of this country. Mark Goldstein, Mississauga
Harper’s “final frantic pitch” is a Donald Trump tactic, an illusionary spectacle aimed at appealing to the game show crowd and an attempt to audition for his next job as a gong show host. After he is defeated Monday, let’s hope he can land a job south of the border before any wall is built and where he would be in good company with his Republican friends. Robert Ariano, Scarborough
Twice I’ve read in the Star that the Liberals will cancel income-splitting for couples in different income-tax brackets. It’s important to mention that they will not cancel income-splitting for seniors. Jonella Buljac, Mississauga
It is time to defeat the Harperium. Kevin MacPhee, Belleville, Ont.
The Ford brothers’ endorsement of Harper has not only solidified my endorsement, but hopefully swayed the soft “C” conservatives back toward the centre. To Harper’s line, “Trudeau is just not ready,” I say, “Harper is more than ready; he is overdone. Stick a fork in ’m!” Philippe Chartrand, Lafontaine, Ont.
I don’t like Harper’s promises. His performance over nine years is an eloquent record of corrosion and corruption. Peter Scott, Elora, Ont.
I have followed this campaign for weeks and I could not quite clarify why I no longer wanted the Conservatives in power. Then I read columnist Emma Teitel’s article and I was struck by her quote of Oscar Wilde’s estimation of a cynic and I had an aha moment. Yes, Stephen Harper knows the price of everything and the value of nothing! He is unaware there is much we as Canadians cannot, will not, put a price on. s Joan Joseph, Cambridge, Ont.
With fear and threats from abroad becoming a major election theme, fear of the other, of ISIS, of refugees, a quote from the past might be illustrative.
“Naturally the common people don’t want war . . . That is understood. But the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them that they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in every country.” The author: Hermann Goering at his Nuremberg trial. William O’Meara, Toronto
Germany was a democracy in 1932 when Hitler was elected. It was the last free election in Germany until after the Second World War.
After 10 years in “Harper’s Canada,” we are very close to repeating history. We have Bill C-51, a secret police force and a snitch line. His election ads border on libel. He rules with fear and division. He is a numbers man, big money, big companies are his métier. We are but pawns in his schemes. Erdmute Gottschling, Mississauga
Re Lifetime Tory ashamed at PM’s tactics, Letter Oct. 13 Letter writer Sybil Rowe is one of the millions of Conservatives who are ashamed of and turned off by Harper’s dirty, divisive, destructive politics aimed at winning votes by hook or crook. He has stooped to the lowest level of gutter politics. He does not deserve to be the prime minister of the peaceful, united, cohesive, friendly, multicultural country like Canada.
I very am happy to know that more than 70 per cent of Canadians no longer want Harper because of his extremely racist beliefs, attitude and actions. More and more conservatives like Sybil Rowe are turned off by Harper, Jason Kenney and their gang and are changing their allegiance to Trudeau who they know is a gentleman who, like his father, loves this country and would never ever do anything to destroy it.
I appeal to Canadians to subject Harper to a crushing defeat and teach him a lesson he will remember forever. Girish Parekh, Burlington
Richard Gwyn was right to identify as an exercise in honesty Justin Trudeau’s admission that the centralization of power in the hands of the prime minister began with his father. Yet Justin has meddled in the selection of Liberal candidates for local ridings and given the boot to pro-life candidates who aspired to run for office, thereby stifling debate. He seems to be the unlikely champion to tackle the democratic deficit. Is it any wonder that some Canadians feel disenfranchised? Glen Molt, Etobicoke
As this campaign wears on and Mr. Harper starts to lose sight of the winning line he seems to get more desperate and his true character seems to shine through. He is diving into the last desperate efforts like an angry child who sees he isn’t winning so sets about destroying the game for others. He is making up deceitful ads denigrating his opponents and attempting to mislead the public yet again. Now as desperation to cling to power grows he exposes himself glaringly for all to see. How low will Mr. Harper stoop and how stupid does he think the Canadian public really is? Hopefully enough Canadians won’t be fooled by Harper’s dirty tricks. Les Braden, Vancouver
Harper boasts of his fiscal responsibility, but his record speaks otherwise. He ran deficit budgets for several years leading up to this vote, adding more than $150 billion to the national debt.
Corporate taxes and those of Canada’s wealthiest citizens were slashed then paid for by cutting public services and middle class jobs, while wasting tens of billions on ill-advised military interventions abroad and on a single G7 meeting at home.
He put all our eggs in the tarsands basket. When oil crashed, it left us in a recession. Surely we can hope for better from one of the other parties. Could any of them do worse? Mike Ward, Duncan, B.C.
The utter gall of Harper astounds me. He has systematically gutted CBC radio’s funding, and has installed his bagmen as board members of the Mother Corp, in order to hasten its demise. Yet we are daily bombasted by his repeated propaganda in 15-second soundbites during morning prime time on that very same radio station. “We’ll speak again tomorrow” is his daily mantra following yet another litany of lies.
We will not speak again tomorrow, Harper. You may be speaking, but we are not listening. Maggie Laidlaw, Guelph, Ont.
We must undo this government’s “barbaric electoral practices.” Richard Kadziewicz, Scarborough