By Stephen Gray
“Individual MPs need more power and freedom in the House of Commons, says Liberal MP Paul Martin” (CBC News, Tue, 21 Oct 2002.)
Sounds good doesn’t it? But where is the “power and freedom” for “individual MPs today?”
The hypocrisy of Paul Martin and most of his party continues in its “democratic deficit.” This is the same Mr. Martin who was going to return democracy to the country. Yet on the issue of “same-sex marriage” the Prime Minister says there will be no referendum. Is that democracy? What we are seeing in this country is a dictatorship in action. The Liberal government trumpets it will hold a “free vote” in parliament on this issue but Cabinet Ministers must vote with the government. How can there be a “free vote” when some MPs are not free to vote their conscience? Is that democracy?
Of course this is the state our country is in today. Where language is debased and twisted to do an end run around democracy. Where lies have become truths and truths have become lies. Where is the democracy one might ask when the system has been fixed to ensure the right answer for the governing Paul Martin Liberals?
Is this the same Mr. Martin who was going to address the “democratic deficit” and return democracy to the parliamentary system? The CBC News Story below had this to say:
“In his first major policy speech as a Liberal leadership contender, Martin said Canada's lawmakers are hampered by a system where power is centralized and where MPs must toe the party line. He said reforming the House of Commons will help to buck this trend towards a "democratic deficit."
"Unfortunately, the authority of individual Members of Parliament has been allowed to erode, while power of the executive...grows," Martin said in a speech Monday at York University's Osgoode Hall law school.
"It's who do you know in the PMO...We must move to address this democratic deficit."
( CBC News http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2002/10/21/martin_021021)
Is this man a political hypocrite? How can you trust a politician who says one thing then does another? Whatever happened to principles and truth? Was he kidding us when he said he would tackle the “democratic deficit?” Yet Mr. Martin is quoted as saying: “We must be a government committed to accountability. … Mine is a Liberal vision. And, I believe in the freedom of the individual….Together, we can overcome the cynicism that afflicts our political process.” (National Post Nov. 15, 2003)
Yeah sure Paul! No referendum on gay marriage. And your cabinet ministers must vote with the government. This is “freedom of the individual” Paul Martin style? No wonder people are cynical of the “political process.” One wonders how much longer the people of this country are going to tolerate hypocrisy and lies from political charlatans?
Though one must give kudos to Liberal MP Pat O’Brien who had this to say in a story headlined: PM cool to idea of referendum on gay marriage
Canoe C-News December 12, 2004.
…
“Pat O'Brien, a Liberal MP from London, Ont., who opposes same-sex marriage, called on Martin to allow a free vote for cabinet ministers as well as backbenchers.
"This is a once in a lifetime, once in a career type issue," O'Brien said Sunday. "I think these ministers should be free to vote their conscience."
O'Brien claimed - without naming names - that one minister has told him privately he would quit cabinet if he has to toe the party line.
O'Brien also suggested [Ralph] Klein's call for a referendum deserves a look.
"'We are talking about the most fundamental institution in our society . . . There ought to be serious consideration of going directly to the Canadian people and asking for their input."
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Politics/2004/12/12/779646-cp.html
We no longer live in a democracy if the people of this country are no longer allowed to give their input on a decision that will change traditional society.
We no longer live in a democracy when all MPs are not allowed to vote in a so called “free vote.”
We no longer live in a democracy when one man, the Prime Minister of this country says his cabinet must vote with his government on an issue that will change our society forever.
Yes Mr. Martin you are the cause of a “democratic deficit” in the country.
Stephen Gray
Dec. 12, 2004.
graysinfo@yahoo.ca website: http://www.oocities.org/graysinfo