That's it Steve, you're off my Xmas list.
No, it wasn't his recent, budget cut attack on women, First Nations and the handicapped. The last straw was this summer at the World AIDS Forum in Toronto. Dignitaries from around the world gathered to face this disastrous crisis while the host country's leader decided to skip it.
Realistically, no one can blame our Prime Minister Steven Harper for blatantly snubbing this epidemic. After all, as sad as it is, there are still people who honestly believe that AIDS is killing the right people. Personally I find that appalling, but I'm not naïve enough to think racism and homophobia doesn't exist. The ignorant are not the majority, but they do vote and when you're a minority government every vote counts.
Not to say I don't admire Harper's moxie. After all, he finally figured out how to get Conservatives elected and that's to make damn sure none of them are allowed to speak. His iron fist on the throats of those elected is balanced nicely now with his foot on the throat of the press. As any dictator worth his salt knows, your first step is to cease all objective communication with the people. That was done swiftly by refusing to answer any questions from reporters not hand picked by him. Then he literally made a back door to avoid cabinet meeting scrums and that pesky accountability-to-voters stuff.
I just wish his gag order extended to those un-elected such as our own Conservative failure John Weston. Week after week John has used this paper to rub our nose in the fact that he is bringing our issues to the Prime Minister. While some may enjoy the foul practices of an unelected government, I don't believe I'm alone in preferring actual elected officials run my country. Wake up and smell the results John, the majority of voters in Squamish think you and your party suck.
One of the few in town who desperately wanted to join your club was local politician Paul Lalli. However, Paul's political back was stabbed when he failed to secure a riding and was blindsided by the fact that the Conservative party is completely un-democratic. Gasp! Shock! Horror! Duh! That said, I welcome Paul back to the real world where Canada is being run by an embarrassing American-apologist dictator. Barely squeaking to power, Steven Harper has proven himself worthy of a top spot on Canada's most un-democratic leaders list.
Of the millions of examples, one might point to David Emerson switching parties the second he was elected. This is nothing compared to Mr. Fortier who is truly the cherry on the corrupt Conservative cake. Not elected, he was placed in the Senate then made a Cabinet Minister in charge of Public Works. This man can not be questioned and he's in charge of one of our largest ministries?
Good thing they've silenced the press and abolished the notion of having a fair and open government, otherwise the public would probably be upset.