Messiahs and the Regimented Mind

Michael Temelini on Radio Noon

CBC Radio Noon today featured Mike Temelini as the guest for Cross Talk - the subject politics. Anything went.

During the course of the discussion a caller suggested that Newfoundland and Labrador has a history of seeking political messiahs. Danny Williams, Brian Tobin, and Joey Smallwood were used as examples. Temelini took exception to that and suggested that instead of a messiah we were simply rallying behind a leader - similar to voters in Quebec.

Generally I found Temelini fairly comfortable with Newfoundland and Labrador affairs and as a native Ontarian fairly sensitive to our unique circumstances.

Our Political Messiahs

On the issue of Messiahs I found Temelini a little naive - in that our culture is that of regimented thinking. Not questioning priests - doctors - school principals etc. is the norm or has been. We generally recognize an authority usually somebody with a professional designation or a millionaire and think "they know what they are doing".

This is diminishing with the age of technology and educated youth. We are challenging authority and asking questions.

Unfortunately since Confederation and Joey we have seen Ottawa as a Messiah and an authority - not to question - but to accept the wisdom delivered. We have started questioning this and now we are honing in on the problems with this federation and the destruction to our culture - economy - rural living - resources - and our self esteem.

The Regimented Mind

Today on the same program one caller fell into that trap and started to defend Ottawa and suggest it is unfair for us to ask for more. Particularly the caller was referring to equalization and fiscal capacity. The caller suggested the reason the provincial Liberals did not seek similar changes in their long duration in power was that we should not expect to get more than what the formula suggests.

First this is to accept that the equation reasonably assesses fiscal capacity - second it is to regiment thoughts and fall in line versus being creative and maximizing our benefits. The latter is what Quebec has been so successful in doing. Then there is the whole idea of accepting it even if it is fair - why not fight for more - the others will.

When one looks critically at the economies of Alberta and Ontario and suggests that temporary oil revenues places Newfoundland and Labrador ahead of these two provinces within a couple of years is in denial. The selections of one formula hardly measures a true fiscal position and worse if applied will place us forever in a recipient position. The fact that any of our people accept it let alone defend it tells me that Ottawa remains a Messiah to a regimented mind and not the opinion of an independent thinker.

An examination of Fiscal Capacity and Maximising the Equalization Formula in an upcoming post.