If Stephen Harper follows his own law on the timing of elections, Canadians will go to the polls in October. Readers, print and digital, are polarized at the prospect of a potential fourth term for the PM: 'Heave Steve'? or 'best PM' ever?
...............................................................................................................................
I read your editorial and found myself saying yes, yes, yes to the arguments put forward in evaluating Stephen Harper's style and substance of leadership (Harper: From Leader To Liability – Dec. 27). It's clear to this voter that it will be the Conservatives' election to lose. That's unfortunate, because while the prospects some nine years ago looked promising, the party has squandered that hope and optimism many times.
Should this attitude and approach continue, other possibilities, even less satisfactory ones, become more and more appealing with each and every dunderheaded misstep action enacted by Mr. Harper.
Dave Hutchison, London, Ont.
.........
He is a liability to our entire country: Heave Steve.
Sherry Drew, Coleman, Alta.
.........
Are some of Stephen Harper's political tactics over the top and distasteful? Yes. The country could use an overall improvement in the tone and quality of political debate by all sides.
That said, politics has always been a rough and tumble game. Mr. Harper plays "political hardball" because it's sometimes required in Ottawa. When Jean Chrétien did it, the media dubbed him the "Shawinigan brawler" standing up for the little guy.
But when Mr. Harper does it, he is persona non grata. Sounds like a double standard to me.
Aldo Aragon, Toronto
.........
When I said at Christmas dinner No. 2 that I'd likely be voting Conservative, the table clammed up so fast you could have heard a cranberry drop. I'm pretty sure I'd have gotten less of a reaction if I'd said I had an STD.
Yes, I know all His Faults. No, I wasn't into the wine (much) when I said it. Stephen Harper is a lot like democracy – the worst leader, except for all the other leaders. So I get your editorial, although your arguments didn't do much to bring my family onside.
Audrey Campbell, Halifax
.........
You conclude of Stephen Harper that his is "not a bad record" after mounting quite a serious argument that it is, indeed, a seriously bad record. You also credit him with "shrinking deficits," although it was his action that dropped the GST a full 2 percentage points several years back (against most advice). That single action has meant a whopping increase of more than $100-billion in our collective debt. It was a foolhardy tax cut that will be a burden for years to come.
Bob Baynham, Victoria
.........
Stephen Harper is the best PM we have ever had. Do you have any idea what kind of economic and moral crisis we would be facing today if he hadn't taken the action he has over the years?
Caron Conley-Burk, Dunmore, Alta.
.........
After reading through your savaging of Stephen Harper's record (despite a sad attempt at offering "balance" at the end), I wonder if we can expect another endorsement from The Globe in 2015. Surely not – but you never know!
Gervais Warren, Rothesay, N.B.
.........
Thank you for the clear-headed editorial assessing our PM's record. You were more fair-minded than many of us will be in October. While likeability is immaterial and ruthlessness is not an issue (assuming competence and a reasonable viewpoint), his ongoing contempt of Parliament and the Supreme Court raise grave concerns for our democracy. His stubborn support for Veterans Affairs Minister Julian Fantino and some others in his party leaves us shaking our heads. Finally, his party's social views, such as the fight against assisted suicide, leave a bad taste for many of the country's middle-of-the-road voters.
The rhythms of history will work against Stephen Harper and his party (to quote Jeffrey Simpson), ably supported by the above factors, notwithstanding their decent economic record (except for the brutal GST cut) and the other positive items detailed in your editorial.
Peter D. Hambly, Hanover, Ont.
.........
Stephen Harper has given centrist and soft-right Canadians a mind-tormenting imbroglio. Agreeing that his government has provided some sound economic leadership tempts continuing support. However, the offset to that nebulous benefit has been his consistent theft of our democratic values.
Justin Trudeau is obviously a lesser politician; however, one could and should hope that the "natural governing party" could draw attractive candidates that will result in a balanced government, not a one-man autocracy.
Martin C. Pick, Cavan, Ont.
.........
The best PM in 50 years or more. We can actually see the progress.
Andrew Horton, Niagara Falls, Ont.
.........
If Stephen Harper doesn't want Justin Trudeau to become PM, he should:
1. Continue to refuse to call a multimillion-dollar inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women. The recent RCMP report has all the data necessary;
2. Refuse to legalize marijuana. Canada has enough stoners. We don't need a whole new generation of them;
3. Ban asbestos. The safety of others should be a no-brainer;
4. Get Veterans Affairs in order;
5. Call Kathleen Wynne, but refuse to give one more dime to this economic disaster called Ontario, a disaster brought on by the province's Liberal governments' policies and boondoggles.
Graydon Chretien, Bon Accord, Alta.
.....................................................................................................................................
ON REFELECTION Letters to the editor
Don't look to China
Anyone hoping increased sales of private vehicles in China, SUVs or otherwise, will significantly boost world oil demand and prices is likely to be disappointed (Surge In SUV Sales Demand Drives China's Oil Demand – Jan. 1). In a bid to reduce congestion and pollution, restrictions on the numbers and types of new cars that can be sold in China have spread to eight major cities. The latest is Shenzhen, population 10-plus million, which is capping new vehicle registrations at 100,000 annually, including 20,000 electric vehicles.
Ken Klassen, Winnipeg
.........
Death should be a right
Re Let's Talk Death (letters, Dec. 31): Dr. I.M. Wilm raised an excellent point in stating the elderly don't want unnecessary medical intervention when the quality of life is gone. I just watched for 11 days as my aged mother starved herself so she could die. It was undignified and cruel. How archaic that she couldn't be offered the compassionate option of medical intervention for assisted passing.
It is time for change: Canada's Supreme Court justices and parliamentarians should yank their heads out of the sand and show moral courage.
Jill Kannegiesser, Toronto
.........
Balance, Mr. MacKay?
Re Judging Judges (letters, Jan. 1): How can Peter MacKay criticize anyone for a lack of fairness and balance? The Conservatives' use of omnibus bills to enact laws without oversight or debate doesn't reflect fairness. And this from a Justice Minister whose laws repeatedly meet defeat at the Supreme Court?
Saying prosecutors have no predispositions is disingenuous. Perception is important. You'd no more appoint all male or all female judges for the same reason you shouldn't appoint primarily one type of lawyer.
Ralph Ashford, Peterborough, Ont.
.........
The Fords' appeal
Re Ford-Gone Conclusions (editorial, Dec. 31): The possibility that Rob Ford's policies – fiscal responsibility, containing union excesses, subways as the best long-term solution – resonate widely with voters is underrated by the media in analyzing his appeal at the ballot box.
The lesson of the Toronto mayoralty contest wasn't that John Tory won, but that Doug Ford got 34 per cent of the vote with only 45 days to campaign. I supported the Tory campaign, but he and others would be well advised to take a few pages from the Ford policy handbook.
Robert F. Richards, Toronto