I just came across this article from the Ottawa Citizen. I think it has a new perspective on the much-crucified Stephane Dion's plummet in popularity (especially within his own party). It's a good read and it has influenced my opinion of the Liberal leader and power he lacks politically.
Blame the party
The Ottawa Citizen
Published: Saturday, October 18, 2008Integrity is something that people have asked for in their elected officials for many years. But when a politician with integrity comes along but loses an election because he wanted to stick to his integrity we immediately label his honesty as naïve or impractical.
Even before the ballot boxes had been put back into storage, articles by pundits and Liberal insiders were streaming out demanding Mr. Dion's resignation and declaring he would be the cause of the Liberal party's downfall. But shouldn't the Liberal party bear some blame? When you work as a team, you win as a team and lose as a team.
Don't get me wrong. Mr Dion did lose the election because he made some poor decisions and he just couldn't make Canadians understand the benefits of the Green Shift.
But you have to admire a man who stuck to what he believed in and didn't alter his course to match the latest polls.
What I think is the most disappointing is that Prime Minister Stephen Harper secured his victory in the election by investing millions of dollars in crass, personal and tasteless attack ads. And we have enabled this behaviour by increasing his mandate.
Sadly enough, I do think Mr. Dion needs to step down as the head of the Liberal party, not because he lacks the passion to help his country but because he's an idealist swimming with hardened opportunists.
So the next time you decide to complain about "slimy" politicians, remember we created those "slimy" politicians and the world they work in.
Mr. Dion tried his best, so rather then pushing him out door like an unwanted in-law, let us at least show our true Canadianness and give him a pat on the back, a shake of the hand and a thank-you for trying to make a difference.
He tried to help his country and it is the least we can do.
Ashoka Patel,
Ottawa
1 comment:
I'm glad you liked my article! Its too bad that politics is getting meaner... but do you have any articles that you found interesting?
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