I have made no secret of my disdain for Steven Harper’s leadership. It’s very unCanadian in that he seems to lead without compromise and without listening. You could argue that this is a legitimate style of leadership in that it works and it has brought him to power. A very calculated power, but power nonetheless.
However, the recent F‑35 news story shows very clearly the less legitimate and more evil side of Harper’s leadership. Harper has made it very clear that he leads the government by restricting what bureaucrats and even his own ministers and party members can say. He goes so far as to “brand” is government (by insisting that people refer to the “Harper” government rather than the “Canadian” government) .
We have already had examples where missteps by the government are passed off on other stooges. We didn’t believe it then, and we certainly don’t believe it now. What kind of leadership example is the Prime Minister setting for the people of this good country by simply passing the buck for this bad decision when it is so clearly his responsibility.
When will Canadians wake up and realize that Harper doesn’t quite smell as pretty as he thinks he does?