Hmmm, do our political leaders really believe we’re hoodwinked by their periodic song and dance routine aka “the cabinet shuffle”?
It seems we’re supposed to believe that shuffling the cards in the cabinet deck breathes new life into a government. Out with the old, in with the new. We can all sit back and relax knowing that our government is getting rid of the dead wood. It if weren’t so transparent, it would be insulting.
It mystifies me that our political leaders actually think this ploy still works. Or do they? Could it be that they’re just blindly following the Politics for Dummies handbook? Part 3: Useless Things to Do When All Else Fails advises: Shuffle your cabinet whenever your ratings go down.
In all seriousness, I’m beginning to suspect that it is all just a game to them. A life size chessboard with MPs for players who they move around with the express purpose of extending the game a little longer. It’s not about what their constituents really need. It’s about putting off “checkmate” (aka an election) as long as humanly possible.
The most telling description I’ve come across of how governments operate is this: The primary purpose of any government is to get itself reelected. It seems to me we arrived at the day where that statement is indisputably true.
I suppose we should tip our hats to Stephen Harper for his sheer audacity in pulling the prorogue rabbit out of his hat not once but twice. Hmmm, things are not going very well. Let’s just shut the whole thing down for awhile and take a staycation. Maybe things will look better in the spring.
I’m hard pressed to think of a political leader since Trudeau who inspired my respect. (Yes, I admit it. I liked Trudeau!) Occasionally individual MPs stand out as dedicated and authentic. But it seems one of the requirements for reaching the pinnacle of politics is to simply stop giving a damn what people think.
Do I sound cynical? I hate to admit it. But I am where politics is concerned. My favourite campaign slogan is still from one of Pat Paulsen’s satirical presidential campaigns on the old Smothers Brothers Show. I’m upping my campaign, so up yours. That about sums up the state of the nation.
Yes, I’m cynical but I haven’t abandoned ship yet. So here is my challenge to all aspiring politicians.
Abandon the chess board metaphor. Refuse to play the childish games that go on in the legislature: he said – she said, it’s all the other guy’s fault, shame on you I found a skeleton in your closet, my party is better than your party, that’s what I said but it’s not what I meant… and on and on.
Take responsibility rather than assign blame. Offer a solution rather than yet another hollow criticism.
Take the tough stand when it’s called for. Say what you believe and believe in what you say even if it’s not the party line.
And finally, aspire to truly be the voice of the people – not the party’s talking head.
Show me you have integrity and I guarantee you’ll have my vote no matter what party colours you wear. I’m pretty sure there will be a lot of other people lining up behind you as well.
~ Michael Robert Dyet is the author of “Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel”. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com or the novel online companion at www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog.
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Tags: cabinet shuffle · metaphor · Michael Robert Dyet · politics · prorogue · Stephen Harper · TrudeauNo Comments