Editor:
Re: Accolades only for previous PM, March 25 letters.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, no matter if it’s ill-informed and angry. I get it, after it was almost 10 long years with the reverend Stephen Harper at the helm that Canadians had finally had their fill of a ‘neo-conservative’ mindset, which is the exact opposite of a Progressive Conservative.
What we got was the “Reform” party. At first they seemed harmless and pro-taxpayer, but very quickly it became apparent that the Cons were turning into a ‘mini-me’ Republican party, and we all know where that has gone. Canadians rejected the Cons because they were fed up. Seems that no matter what political party gets into power, they all have a ‘best before date’.
Letter-writer G.J.W Smith says the following:
• “I don’t care for the new (PM).” Well, that’s interesting, since he has only been in office for several months. At least give it a few years before becoming totally negative.
• “He does not seem to have any authority.” Justin Trudeau is the prime minister; he has all the authority he needs. It’s called ‘delegating power’ to his ministers.
• Smith goes on about security and the violence in Europe and the Middle East, which is likely all about refugees coming to Canada. What does Smith want? Police at SkyTrain stations packing machine guns and questioning people who don’t fit the right profiles.
• “Our economy is an important issue.” We know that, but saying Trudeau “probably doesn’t realize as he was a kindergarten teacher” is a comment worthy of Donald Trump, a noted giant of intellectual debate.
• “He was born into wealth and doesn’t understand poverty.” So everyone who is well-off has no understanding of poverty? I was born into a well-off middle-class family who instilled compassion for others who have less. I like to think I have pretty good understanding of poverty and the misery it brings to those that suffer with it.
• Harper “is a good dad… has good values and was a statesman in my eyes.” Is Smith implying Trudeau is a bad dad? What values? As for being a statesman, if sending our fighting people to some far off country to die in an unwinnable war is an indicator of statesmanship, then the bar to set the standard is pretty low.
• Smith ends the letter: “Trudeau will never be one (a statesman)”, never taking into account anything Trudeau has done or will do.
Some people always promote and vote for the same political party election after election, decade after decade, not understanding the Conservatives were voted out because Canadians had more than enough of Harper and his minions.
I voted for Harper in 2008 based on a fiscal conservative platform. What I got was a neo-conservative, and it turns out that my distaste for the Neo-Cons was shared by a majority.
To Smith all I can say is “judge not lest ye be judged.”
Mark Tyson, Surrey
• • •
Re: Harper praise misplaced, March 23 letters.
First of all, I appreciate the viewpoints of the letter writers lauding former PM Stephen Harper.
I read Accolades only for previous PM by G.J.W. Smith and kudos to previous letter-writers including Mary Bruce and J. Young who dare to speak well of our former PM.
Letter-writer M. Wolsey (Leadership critical, Jan. 26) recommended a book, Party Of One: Stephen Harper and Canada’s Radical Makeover by Michael Harris, and he dares us to read it. Sadly this book is a one-sided 534-page diatribe. Even The Globe and Mail pans the book, writing that “readers who love Harper will hate the book, and those who hate the prime minister will love the book.”
Letter-writer J.R. Marshall said he read the recommended book and his letter reflects its influence.
The Canadian Press published an article that Marshall may find interesting, “National Defence To Overhaul Support Units After Sobering Review.” He may also be interested in exploring U.S “foundations” funding left-leaning political causes in Canada. Also, check out U.S. President Barack Obama’s election-team advisors’ involvement in Trudeau’s campaign.
M. Trevelyan, White Rock