The Harperites have decided to cancel the debate that usually follows the throne speech. I mean what's the point?Unless we're going to have legitimate, well researched questions from the opposition, it will just be more noise. They claim that "The government's priority is to get its budget passed by June 23, when Parliament is scheduled to break for the summer."
I say just go home now. Harper never listened to anyone when he had a minority, do they really think he'll listen to anyone now?
Parliament has been rendered obsolete. We'll take our opposition to the streets.
A mistake to be avoided is succumbing to the reflex tendency of most rational minds to listen thoughtfully to the inevitable criticism that will accompany "taking our opposition to the streets" and going to elaborate lengths to address it all.
ReplyDeleteThe vast majority of such criticism will be disingenuous, tone-deaf and time-wasting noise emanating from sources that, just like their idol (and probable employer), Stephen Harper, haven't the slightest interest in engaging in a sincere exchange of ideas - although they will profess the opposite. We have more than enough in the way of experience and example in this regard to get sidetracked by it going forward.
Our cause is simple enough and doesn't take much to "get"; so, aided by the straighforward reasoning we'll be offering to explain ourselves, in general people will either be onside with it or they won't. Most of the remainer who fall in between will take their cues more from the resolve we demonstrate than any lengthy and explanatory treatises we might offer. Far better, then, that we focus on the former than the latter.
Just the sight of large numbers of ordinary Canadians expressing extensive, unified and ongoing opposition to the Conservatives' agenda will be enough to get the somnolent majority thinking there must be something to it all. That's where the momentum will begin to shift - far more than any flurry of letters to the editor and/or internet chatroom debating will accomplish. It can be seductive to engage in those types of activities, since they're convenient, low-risk and they appeal to our intellectual vanity. But we musn't give into it. At this stage, Job One is, and must remain, making very real what, up until now, has been so much talk.