Privilege, Entitlement and Gall
Gall of the unmitigated variety. The kind that makes you sit back in disbelief and suck in wind. Is it only me? Isn't this pure and simple chutzpah. Doesn't this remind you of the dear young man charged with double murder: matricide and patricide, who invokes a plea of mercy because he's an orphan?Folks, we have here in this arena two contenders for the Crown of Hubris, both worthy candidates, both entitled to receive said crown by acclamation were there no other contenders.
In one corner we have Mr. Michael Fortier, Member of Parliament, oops, sorry, he didn't run for office, he's not an MP. Well, he is our Minister of Public Works and Government Services, is he not? You mean this guy none of us elected, so he cannot claim to be a Member of Parliament, therefore he cannot sit in the House of Commons, is PWGSC minister of the Crown? Wait a minute, wait a doggoned minute. Oh, he's been appointed to the Senate, why didn't you say so? Hey, I can recall some several decades ago another, former Prime Minister reaching into the Senate to pluck out a Minister. What? that was a sitting Senator, and that's different? Well, aaall right. Bear with me, I'm trying to understand this. Are you putting me on? is this some kind of sleight-of-hand. No? it's legitimate? Oh, because Prime Minister Stephen Harper says it's all right.
I just remembered...isn't this the guy who said he hadn't bothered running in the election because he just didn't feel like it. Well, who can blame him, it must be a right royal pain in the arse to go to the hustings, raise funds, garner supporters, surround yourself with volunteer workers, plot, plan, go out and hustle your constituents, plead, whine and beg for votes. Can't blame him. I guess that's why a lot of people don't want to go into politics. Yes, he said he had a great career, has five young children, and he just didn't think it was right for him, running for election. Right on. (Come to think of it, it is kind of a plebian rite.)
But, he agreed with Stephen Harper that the country needed a Montreal representative in the Cabinet. So why not him. After all, he's a respected Conservative organizer, a very successful (read wealthy, privileged, entitled) investment banker. Just the ticket. A mere informality, not being elected. He'd deign to sit in the Senate. Oh, how inconvenient, he'll have to operate as Minister through the Senate, can't sit in the House of Commons, and will have to appoint someone to represent him during Question Period. Well, that's the way things are. Lump it.
Oh, wow, this guy Fortier is critical of MPs who spurn the parties that got them elected, and walk over to the opposition. Umm, interesting. He's all right, Jack. Contender numero uno.
Now here's another guy, a multi-millionaire who made his bucks and reputation (highly-respected, man of distinction, leader of the community, yadda-yadda) as a forestry executive in British Columbia. It's boring just being filthy rich, being known throughout the industry you represent. You've reached that particular pinnacle, where are the challenges? Ah, there's another aphrodisiac, it's called power, and go for it, bud. Oops, minority governments are a drag; that didn't last very long, did it? Industry? been there. International Trade, hey, I can do that too!
After all, how different can the two parties be? Liberal, Conservative, they're all the same. Besides which, he wants to serve his country, and dammit, he's the man to do it. Sit back and watch him go. Hey, what's all this crap about a controversial decision? Not the first time someone's taken a stroll like that. So, it's a first; just-elected, fresh-switch. A leader, innovator, takes the initiative: doesn't the public recognize that type of leadership quality. And bloody damn, but it's aggrieving to have one's (Liberal) constituency office cry foul and want their money back. Who the hell do they think they are? Audacious, that's what they are. Get a life.
And stop picking on the kids.
Your choice.
posted by Pieface @ Thursday, February 09, 2006
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