Douglas W. Judson
Dear editor:
I would like to clarify my earlier statements regarding local MP John Rafferty’s publicity efforts.
Mr. Glen Dale should rest assured that I am abundantly aware of the duties of a member of Parliament. However, it is common sense which informs my criticism of the NDP, not political motivation.
In this, my earlier letter highlighted Mr. Rafferty’s flip-flop on the long-gun registry following his failure to vote on a motion before the Commons. The actions of the NDP again illustrated their inability to live up to even the most menial of promises.
As for these open meetings, it is fitting that the NDP is shouldering some guilt for the current economic slowdown. Let’s not forget that the NDP is the same party which voted to defeat Paul Martin’s Liberal government.
This ended an era of responsible fiscal management (i.e., versus today) and killed substantial Liberal initiatives for families, communities, and First Nations. Such initiatives have since been abandoned by the Harper regime, and ironically are lamented by their NDP executioners.
The NDP rarely has any trouble finding justification to defeat a government, as their numbers in the Commons are too small to bear any real consequence. Recently, this tactic took shape when New Democrats voted against the federal budget without actually reading it.
In essence, the NDP presence on our ballots serves no purpose but to put Conservative governments in office. In fact, the growing Conservative awareness of Northern Ontario’s impotent NDP representation even has caused the FedNor ministry to vanish from Mr. Harper’s cabinet.
This is a result of being the last-place party of Canadian democracy. The NDP will never form a government. They will never write a budget. And most obviously, they will never have to live up to anything they say.
The NDP is, and always will be, a protest party, not a government alternative. It would seem that Mr. Dale’s idea of civility in politics requires ignorance of reality.
Given these facts, it’s no wonder that Mr. Rafferty likes to throw tea parties and promise everyone a free pony. Flippant as that may read, this is the mentality behind the NDP’s “all fluff, no stuff” banter at these “town hall” meetings.
I do not dispute the importance of reaching out to constituents, but I question the motives, the expense, and the expertise of a party which contradicts itself on a daily basis.
The “sham” is to come when, again, New Democrats will deliver a new disappointment.
On a personal note, Mr. Dale will be relieved to know that my employability is not hinged on the return of competent, influential MPs to Ottawa. However, many others in our region are not so fortunate.
He would do well to consider that before misleading voters with any further New Democrat nonsense.
Sincerely,
Douglas W. Judson
Emo, Ont.
