The Harper Government

Well, sorry, Stephen … if it is indeed true, as reported by Terry Milewski on The National, that the “Government of Canada” is henceforth to be re-branded as “the Harper Government” I think whoever thought of that move is an IDIOT.

It’s one thing for journalists to personalize governments by using a sitting premier’s or prime minister’s name to refer to the government, but for an official change to take place, ordered by the party in power? No, this smells really bad. I’m thoroughly disappointed.

Does this mean some people think the current head of government is Iggy or Jack Layton thus need a reminder who’s at the helm?

This is the kind of in your face nonsense we can do without.

Well damn all that Liberal Red in our national flag.

Best we get on on that injustice right away.

Well damn all that Liberal Red in our national flag.

Best we get on on that injustice right away.

No more calls, please, we have a winner.

The CPC needs more genuine, thinking conservatives to call Harper on this sort of grandstanding. Even Stephen Taylor’s efforts can’t whip this crap into chocolate pudding.

“Harper government” is a handle to be used by the press, analysts and historians. It’s not for government letterhead.

Will Harper next bless us with a new stamp adorned with his beaming countenance? How ’bout appearing in a fake military uniform with rows of medals? I hear Gaddafi is having a yard sale.

More “scandalous” goings-on over at the CPC! Oh, no! Saints preserve us!

This is utter nonsense, this constant griping at whatever the CPC does; it doesn’t matter whether it’s a small matter or a big one, the media blood hounds are baying at the scent and following it relentlessly. It’s almost funny, except for its mean-spirited viciousness and the pile-on nature of it which never stops.

Our Prime Minister shows an incredible amount of restraint, given that he’s in the cross hairs of the media firing line 24/7. (Now, don’t get your knickers in a knot, anyone; there used to be a pretty good show on TV called Firing Line. It’s a metaphor. Look it up if you’re not sure what a metaphor is.)

As much as anything, I’m offended by the fact that unelected partisans constantly show contempt for our Parliamentary democracy and the Canadians who voted for the CPC by demeaning the Harper Government without letting up. If they would give credit where credit’s due — just look at PM Harper’s standing in the rest of the world; he’s respected and admired for steering Canada through some very rough waters and for his statesmanship on the international scene — I wouldn’t mind the bitching and carping so much. But seeing as it’s always winter and never spring in the CPC corner, according to the media, I’ve stopped listening to or caring what they say.

A lot of Canadians are with me. If you’re fair, you can be tough and legitimately criticize; if you’re unfair, your mean-spirited lobs at whomever simply come across as self-serving whining and whingeing and people tune you out.

Terry Milewski is one of the worst amongst a scurvy bunch at the CBC.

More “scandalous” goings-on over at the CPC! Oh, no! Saints preserve us!

This is utter nonsense, this constant griping at whatever the CPC does; it doesn’t matter whether it’s a small matter or a big one, the media blood hounds are baying at the scent and following it relentlessly. It’s almost funny, except for its mean-spirited viciousness and the pile-on nature of it which never stops.

Our Prime Minister shows an incredible amount of restraint, given that he’s in the cross hairs of the media firing line 24/7. (Now, don’t get your knickers in a knot, anyone; there used to be a pretty good show on TV called Firing Line. It’s a metaphor. Look it up if you’re not sure what a metaphor is.)

As much as anything, I’m offended by the fact that unelected partisans constantly show contempt for our Parliamentary democracy and the Canadians who voted for the CPC by demeaning the Harper Government without letting up. If they would give credit where credit’s due — just look at PM Harper’s standing in the rest of the world; he’s respected and admired for steering Canada through some very rough waters and for his statesmanship on the international scene — I wouldn’t mind the bitching and carping so much. But seeing as it’s always winter and never spring in the CPC corner, according to the media, I’ve stopped listening to or caring what they say.

A lot of Canadians are with me. If you’re fair, you can be tough and legitimately criticize; if you’re unfair, your mean-spirited lobs at whomever simply come across as self-serving whining and whingeing and people tune you out.

Terry Milewski is one of the worst amongst a scurvy bunch at the CBC.

Poor, poor lil Stephen Harper.

Our Prime Minister shows an incredible amount of restraint. Like he’s gonna do… what? Send fighter jets down on CBC HQ?

If you’re fair, you can be tough and legitimately criticize

The CPC’s boomerang ad spending from last election, CPC logo on government presentation cheques, their recent round of negative campaign ads (which they won’t have to account for because we’re not officially in a campaign yet), and now this patently self-promoting rebranding of government communications… are all worthy of criticism.

If you were fair, maybe you and the rest of the CPC base could tell them that their petty, self-induced spat with media and their crudely transparent self-promotion detracts from their actual achievements.

It is precisely because of the ingrained anti-Harper reaction among some quarters that the Conservatives should carefully consider the effect their actions/words have on “the media bloodhounds.”

It’s as if some elements in the Conservative backrooms are doing it on purpose, eliciting those predictable knee-jerk reactions from the usual suspects, those who’re convinced the PM is an autocratic SOB who controls everything. So why provide fodder for their scandal-mongering rumour-based screeds?

IMO, that directive, if it is indeed a directive to change the brand, did not come from the PM but rather from an overzealous — I won’t use the J-word Bob Rae used — staffer who needs his/her knuckles rapped.

Officially changing “the Government of Canada” to “the Harper Government” is not only counterproductive, eliciting unnecessary and predictable criticism, but is also just plain WRONG. Whether conservatives or their opponents like it or not, “the Government of Canada” is the government of ALL Canadians, regardless of their political affiliation.

That is why opposition politicians are wrong to go abroad to badmouth the Government of Canada.

That is why opposition politicians are wrong to badmouth the sitting government among the diplomatic community in this country.

That is why former politicians and diplomats are wrong to criticize the sitting government for purely partisan gain.

That is why once decisions are made by the sitting government, especially those taken with the support of other political parties AND especially those involving foreign affairs, they should be supported by members of the opposition both at home and abroad.

Officially re-branding the “Government of Canada” as “the Harper Government” needlessly invites and accentuates partisan divisions. No one will convince me otherwise.

It is precisely because of the ingrained anti-Harper reaction among some quarters that the Conservatives should carefully consider the effect their actions/words have on “the media bloodhounds.”

It’s as if some elements in the Conservative backrooms are doing it on purpose, eliciting those predictable knee-jerk reactions from the usual suspects, those who’re convinced the PM is an autocratic SOB who controls everything. So why provide fodder for their scandal-mongering rumour-based screeds?

IMO, that directive, if it is indeed a directive to change the brand, did not come from the PM but rather from an overzealous — I won’t use the J-word Bob Rae used — staffer who needs his/her knuckles rapped.

Officially changing “the Government of Canada” to “the Harper Government” is not only counterproductive, eliciting unnecessary and predictable criticism, but is also just plain WRONG. Whether conservatives or their opponents like it or not, “the Government of Canada” is the government of ALL Canadians, regardless of their political affiliation.

That is why opposition politicians are wrong to go abroad to badmouth the Government of Canada.

That is why opposition politicians are wrong to badmouth the sitting government among the diplomatic community in this country.

That is why former politicians and diplomats are wrong to criticize the sitting government for purely partisan gain.

That is why once decisions are made by the sitting government, especially those taken with the support of other political parties AND especially those involving foreign affairs, they should be supported by members of the opposition both at home and abroad.

Officially re-branding the “Government of Canada” as “the Harper Government” needlessly invites and accentuates partisan divisions. No one will convince me otherwise.

Disappointed? Oh poor baby.

Gabby,I couldn’t agree more.

It sickens me every time I hear the opposition politicians criticize the government of their country when they go abroad, we have recent examples of that.

Will Flaherty be henceforth referring to “Harper’s Deficit”?

If the usual media cabal had criticized the LPC for much worse misdemeanors during their 13-year tenure, I’d be less inclined to be offended by their constant anti-CPC babble. They did not hound Chretien and his government despite their financial mismanagement (and that’s a very nice way of putting it) They did not hound Trudeau. They gave Dion plenty of space (even though he was utterly inept as a party leader) and they’ve tended to give Ignatieff a pass, as well. As it is, as soon as Milewski or Macdonald, ‘used to be Susan Van Dusen(t), open their mouths, you know what’s going to spew forth.

“Fallacious” attack ads? I think not. They’re spot on — and the CPC has the money from the grassroots to pay for them, unlike the LPC which is broke. They’re broke because they don’t have grassroots support from Canadians — only the support of really big business (Power Corporation) and their buds in the media.

It’s my “Party” (of choice) and I can cry if I want to, thanks very much. I don’t “parrot” anyone, either. I think for myself. And, just to set the record straight, the CPC aren’t complaining. I am. The PM doesn’t complain, but as a voter and tax payer, aren’t I
entitled to tell people how I feel — and not be accused of parroting a party line? (Nice try, Ted.)

[The Liberal party is]broke because they don’t have grassroots support from Canadians — only the support of really big business (Power Corporation)

You really believe that? If the Liberals really were in thrall to big business, they would be rolling in money. And they would still be in power.

No, the corporate lapdog this time around is the CPC.

[The Liberal party is]broke because they don’t have grassroots support from Canadians — only the support of really big business (Power Corporation)

You really believe that? If the Liberals really were in thrall to big business, they would be rolling in money. And they would still be in power.

No, the corporate lapdog this time around is the CPC.

No they wouldn’t be rolling in money if they were in thrall to big business, because M. Chretien made sure that could no longer happen after his watch and going into M. Martin’s leadership of the party.

You can’t tell me, with Trudeau’s, Chretien’s, Martin’s, and Rae’s close ties with Power Corporation, that the Liberal$ haven’t had a huge financial leg up over the years from “big business.” Show me a similar connection between the Tories and big business corporations.

Jean Chretien’s daughter, for crying out loud, ismarried to Andre Desmarais. You don’t think that the Liberal$’ decision not to join our U.S. allies in the war in Iraq had nothing whatsoever to do with Power Corporation’s close business ties with the Saddam regime?

Take off your blinkers, kenn2.

And, just a BTW: Check out this revealing story on Elections Canada’s pile-up on the CPC. The scandal, clearly, isn’t with the Tories.

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/columnists/story.html?id=b92b618d-d777-4539-b553-c34b3a5b0376&p=1

Stephen, hope you do well on CFRA’s “Lunch Bunch” with ultra lefty Michael Harris. BTW no lunch is served.

I think it’s not a great idea to use the phrase “Harper Government” in the context being proposed. It reminds of some third world dictator who needs constant re-inforcement to boost his ego. Even my mother agrees with me on this one and she has vote Conservative all her life. I think the guys in the PMO sometimes try outhink themselves. Sure Harper is way more popular than Ignatieff and I can see trying to highlight this. But it comes off as arrogance, and arrogance is the downfall of governments.

Ted Chartrand, re: your tweet/twit “stephen_taylor’s regular groupies …”

The difference of opinion expressed here puts the lie to the oh so predictable barbs regularly directed at conservatives — “groupies” to use your word — that they merely parrot PMO talking points, sing from the same songbook, etc., doesn’t it?

I’ll take a pass on the tinfoil hat stuff.

I put more stock in the Federal Court of Appeal than a 3-year-old ‘revealing’ article.

I’ll take a pass on the tinfoil hat stuff.

I put more stock in the Federal Court of Appeal than a 3-year-old ‘revealing’ article.

The Desmarais Family and Power Corporation and their many connections to the Liberal Party of Canada equate to “tinfoil hat stuff”?

What colour’s your tinfoil hat?

As a canadian I am outraged and disgusted with our government…we should not be participating in libya…why isn’t there a no fly zone over yemen, bahrain or the ivory coast…because they don’t have oil? what a corrupted world we live in…what gives another country the right to go in and bomb another country when your not at war…i’m disgusted with you harper…you continue to show your a puppet that will do whatever the americans ask…get out!!!

I’m fairly certain I have heard the CBC refer to the current government as the “Harper government” before this. What dies the CBC style guide say on this?

In your examples (“…Paul Martin Government…”) it’s all in the context, your quote is stating an act of a government led by a specific PM at the time of the governmental act, NOT a complete and deliberate rebranding by an insane megalomaniac who has already proven an infinite number of times that he sees himself, in his own mind, as a king who dictates to the people what WILL be done and then removes/destroys everything that makes Canada what it is, in order to replace the national identity with the “British Welfare State” vision that Harper has always had of our great nation…

This insane dictator we currently call Prime Minister has already vowed to “shelve the Canada Health Act” so he can force Canadians to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to get even the most basic and simple medical care (are Canadians ready to pay at least $1000 just to see a doctor for a single visit?!)…

Harper already raised income tax while everyone were cheering the reduction of the GST (so that a single father like myself can barely supply for himself, let alone for his child