What’s going on with the Waterloo Regional Record? Did the editors have some kind of philosophical change of heart or did they merely look at the sea of Tory blue elected here in October, and decide to change their marketing strategy accordingly?
In any case, I’m not complaining. Today’s editorial is titled Tory pragmatism suits tough times.
I suppose from a strictly ’small c’ conservative point of view, it is hardly a joyful day to see a media source lauding the Harper Government’s move towards the middle, but the Record recognizes the need for governments at all levels to be flexible and practical in this time of unprecedented financial angst.
And look! They seem to agree that the D-word is no longer taboo:
…Of course, the kind of spending needed to provide the necessary stimulus to the economy could leave the federal account books swimming in red ink. But according to this throne speech, deficit is no longer a dirty word. And if the federal government must choose between spending more than it takes in or allowing Canadians to suffer needless economic misery, the Conservatives will willingly take Option 1.
Efforts will be made to limit spending, too. The government will introduce a law to manage public servants’ wages — which could mean a pay freeze. It also plans to base any growth in equalization payments to the provinces on the growth of the overall economy. There was more in the speech. But all that really mattered was the government’s focus on protecting Canada from recession — because that is the wolf howling at our door today…
I think the lesson we need to take from this is that no politician is perfect – not Stephen Harper, not Dalton McGuinty, not Mike Harris, not Bob Rae, not even the great and as yet untested Obamasiah.
They are all human and make mistakes. Are they capable of learning from them? Are they trying to make decisions in the best interests of the electorate? Are they competent? Do they have a basic level of integrity?
I think at some point those of us who have the comfort of faith should pray for divine guidance for our leaders – that they make wise decisions.
But don’t expect perfection.
