I Fear Harper!

In history - there have been corrupt politicians be they Right, Left, or Center ideology.

These politicians are without exposed ideology but are well endowed with opportunism, electoral fraud, the ability and willingness to lie, and desire for power at all costs.

They possess no obvious ideology - rather they change their image to suit the mood of the people - in order to achieve and retain power.

They will play to the emotions and ideology of genuine people looking for somebody to represent their beliefs and societal structure.

All political parties have some of this and most use one-liners and twitter length quotes to attract Canadians for 12 hours every three or four years.

All parties have had candidates and elected members who have not represented people with integrity - rather they simply used their office to advance something other than that desired by their constituents.

I have been voting for about 30 years - and I have never come across somebody as blatantly opportunistic as Stephen Harper. As he seeks to be the Prime Minister of Canada - I have to scrutinize his character a little more. Further as he seeks a majority government - and because that means the Prime Minister would hold extreme power under our system - I have to think a little more.

Stephen Harper is a liar - and frankly I see no regret from him - rather a desire that I as a Canadian ignore that reality and worry only about the state of the economy. Does that mean Bernie Madoff was okay as long as he kept the system he created afloat? Does it mean that the end justifies the means?

Let's review the reality of this man.

He is a reformer - campaigned and grew up on issues such as abortion (opposed) - eliminating the welfare state (work for welfare) - privatization of public services (including health) triple E Senate (forgot completely about that one) family values (man-woman children) and in many cases was in contact with reformers that some considered racist (a strong supporter of the ethnic vote).

We do not have to guess what Harper will do with a majority; first we will have a "common sense revolution" like the mess Mike Harris delivered to Ontario.

Second; if you listen closely to Harper's words - he said we will have a "universal" health care system - however he did not say it would not be privatized.

Third; social conservative ideology will become an issue and you will be force fed values of reform MP's who have been told to hold their thoughts until a majority is achieved.

Fear of a coalition? No not me - I fear a majority given to a man who knows his fundamental ideologies are not acceptable to a majority of the electorate - so he chooses to hide that and gain a majority by downplaying his roots instead of fighting openly for them.

I look at a Stephen Harper commercial and I see images of old war footage - troops embattled at war. Yet I know as do you how veterans have been treated under him.

His image of a family? He's sitting at a piano in a comfortable house - afforded with luxuries our seniors and homeless youth can only dream about - while a young person (presumably his son sits along side him playing a guitar). Pictures of he and his supportive wife by his side going from one plane to another.

Emails from a Conservative MP's office regarding ethnic donations for ethnic policies and hints of people in traditional costume - while posing for a photo-op.

Breaking electoral rules, his colleagues lying to parliament, lying to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, the removal of a woman from caucus by reason of association (we think).

Lying to people (seniors) regarding Income Trusts, lying to us about protecting our Grand Banks. Lying about Senate Reform and appointing away. Just the other day I heard him talk about the need to have a Conservative elected in Newfoundland and Labrador so he could work with somebody directly from our province. What he did not say was when the City of Montreal did not elect a Conservative - he placed an unelected Quebecker in his Cabinet and Senate - while the best he could do for us was Peter MacKay.

The really disturbing thing is pretending that Progressive Conservatives - are the same as Conservatives - when he stood along side a naive Kathy Dunderdale - desperate to put through a flawed deal on the Lower Churchill.

I fear Harper - and the PC knocking on your door who does not and will not have the courage to take Harper on - in a majority situation - where we can expect finally to see the real Harper.

Harper tells us to be afraid of our own democracy - I fear Harper!