Consider what happens when one of Harper’s cabinet ministers escapes from the Harper Muzzle:
“A media report today said that on August 30, 2008, Mr. Ritz made inappropriate and insensitive comments concerning the deaths that have occurred while on a conference call that included members of the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr. Ritz’s staff and staff from Health Minister Tony Clement’s office.According to a report from the Canadian Press, Minister Ritz was more concerned with the political fallout against his government than the impact of these deaths on Canadian families.
During the call, Mr. Ritz said: “This is like a death by a thousand cuts. Or should I say cold cuts.”
When told about a new death from listeriosis on Prince Edward Island, Minister Ritz said: “Please tell me it's Wayne Easter.””
http://www.liberal.ca/story_14676_e.aspx
How does one frame this episode, under the genera framing of Harper: Can you trust this man?
Simple, really.
We all know that Harper has muzzled his MPs and cabinet ministers. Harper is the only one allowed to comment publicly on most issues, and his MPs and ministers are forbidden to speak in public on such issues.
So we have a prime minister of a democracy who forbids his MPs and ministers from speaking out in public on issues vital to the citizens of the country. That in itself is cause for concern regarding Harper’s trustworthiness as prime minister.
But let’s take it one step further.
Mr. Ritz’s reported statements are shocking, and reveal a callousness towards those Canadians who died, and their families, which is unbelievable for a Canadian cabinet minister.
But let’s be very clear.
Harper has muzzled his MPs and cabinet ministers because he is afraid that they will say things in public which would reflect what they say in private meetings; he must fear that if Canadians really got to know what his MPs and cabinet ministers really thought and said when they were in private meetings, that Canadians would be revolted by the values of those MPs and cabinet ministers.
Why else would be muzzle them?
So, let’s consider this further.
How can you trust a prime minister who hides his MPs and cabinet ministers from public discussion of matters of state, because of such possible fears?
How on earth can one vote for Harper and his Tories, if your vote might give him a majority?
How on earth do you know that they REALLY think and believe, if they are hidden from your sight, so that you as a voter cannot form a considered judgment about them?
Mr. Ritz has done Canadians a favour, by revealing what might be the true face and values of Harper’s MPs and cabinet ministers.
Thank you, Minister Ritz.
