where oh where has my ndp gone…

Once upon a time, many moons ago, I used to be a New Democratic Party supporter. I come from a “have-not” province, primarily driven by small-business, and the NDP focused strongly on that demographic. I can’t be entirely sure who changed, me or them, but I suspect it was a bit of both. I believe that, as I became more conservative, they became more liberal. As moral-standards became more important to me, it became less important to them. It’s a shame, really, because the NDP is very attractive to Mom n’ Pop farms, small-businesses, and seniors. Unfortunately, these also tend to be three of the most conservative demographics out there.

While the Christian majority in Atlantic Canada was uniting on their “pro-life” stance, the NDP chose to go officially “pro-choice,” which would be more accurately described as “pro-parental-life/death-choice.” Let’s be honest… you can wrap it up in all the pleasant or horrific terminology you like, but what we’re really asking is: Does a parent have the right to determine whether their child lives or dies? Once upon a time, most would have said “Of course not!” These days, however, moral distinctions aren’t as clear, and I believe it won’t be too much longer before parents are granted that choice, quite possibly up until a child is 5 years of age, when they enter the public school system and become an investment by the taxpayer.

The NDP’s enthusiastic support of same-sex marriage hasn’t helped them woo the right-wings, and their mission to alienate the Christian majority has received no small help from their encouragement for stem-cell research. As a member of that Christian right, one would think I’d be thoroughly distanced from the NDP, but nope. There’s still more work to do! Over the past few decades, since the end of Ed Broadbent’s reign over the party, the NDP has been on a downward spiral into the Negative Zone. How can you tell if an NDP’er is bashing someone else? Their lips are moving.

As a third-party, it’s the NDP’s job to criticize, but they’ve made it an art to be as negative as humanly possible. Now they’ve decided to go negative with their political advertising as well, which is ironic when it’s coming from a party that consistently accuses the Liberals and Conservatives for being too friendly with their US colleagues, and emulating them too closely.

Quite frankly, I’m tired of hearing them. I certainly wouldn’t echo Mike Klander’s ad hominem profanity directed at NDP leader, Jack Layton – he might be a great guy – but I can certainly say I’m tired of hearing his political rhetoric. Right now he’s bashing Paul Martin for his comment that the decision boils down to two parties, Liberals or Conservatives. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to recognize that the NDP are incapable of forming the federal government of Canada in the election later this month. That certainly doesn’t mean their out of the race… they could help establish a minority government for the Liberals or Conservatives… but as far as who will form the government, it will either be Liberal or Conservative. Period. Any other prediction is nothing more than a flight of fancy.

More and more Canadians, I suspect, are feeling a lot like me. It’s like choosing between the devil and the deep blue sea, and we’re stuck with a ballot trying to mark an X on the least of 4 or 5 evils. Even when we thing we’ve made up our mind about our local representative, we then consider what will happen should their party constitute the federal government. Perhaps it’s just me, I’m not sure. Admittedly, I have a big political bias in that I thing politicians are double-tongued by definition. Even the most honorable politician has to represent the voices of his constituents, whether he agrees with them or not. Leave a comment, as I’d honestly like to hear other people’s views on this one.

quick! hide under this rock!

Apparently web sites are kind of like dominos. Once one goes down, they all go down. Such is the case for poor Mike Klander, who’s blog was taken down earlier this week. Now his professional site (www.klander.ca & www.mikeklander.com) has been deleted as well, possibly because news agencies were using the contact information located on the page to bug him for interviews. They quite possibly were also checking on his list of clients to get their reaction to his recent 15 minutes of fame.

Meanwhile, as Liberal officials continue to downplay his importance to the Liberal Party, Mr. Klander seemed to have no difficulty boosting his own importance on his professional website. Up until last night, it used to proudly declare (emphasis mine):

With over fifteen years of experience in federal and provincial politics, Mike Klander brings with him an innate understanding of Canada’s political process and an extensive national network. Prior to establishing his own government relations practice Mike held several senior positions within the Liberal Party.

As a senior political organizer Mike played a significant role in building Paul Martin’s Leadership organization in Ontario. Prior to joining Martin’s team, Mike helped build a national organization for Brian Tobin and also served as his Campaign Manager in Ontario.

As Executive Director of the Liberal Party of Canada (Ontario) Mike was responsible for managing the day to day affairs of the Federal Liberal Party in Ontario. In that capacity he served as Ontario Campaign Director during the 2000 Federal Election Campaign. In his eight years with the organization he held several other positions including Field Organizer, and Director of Field Operations.

An organizer in every federal and provincial election campaign since 1988 Mike has developed a comprehensive understanding of the political process and how government operates. Building on that experience, he established Klander and Associates; an independent government relations practice representing clients both in Ottawa and at Queen’s Park.

Mike has served and continues to assist numerous clients including Research in Motion, Inco, BFI Canada, Imperial Tobacco Canada, The Greater Toronto Home Builders Association, the International Union of Operating Engineers and the Air Canada Pilots Association.

As a volunteer Mike sits on the Board of the Ontario Special Olympics and Rose Cherry’s Home for Kids. He is also Executive Vice-President of the Liberal Party of Canada (Ontario).

He holds an Honours degree in Political Science from McMaster University.

I particularly enjoy his “comprehensive understanding of the political process and how government operates” since I believe he is exactly right. Politicians, by their very nature, are double-minded, portraying one face to the public, and their TRUE face to a select few insiders. I pray that more politicians would find hope in James words, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8) We ALL need to take that advice, so don’t think for an instant that I’m putting myself above or outside that counsel, because I need it just as much as anyone. Politicians just happen to be more public than others.

This is actually Mike Klander’s second biography on his website. The earlier one was a little more comprehensive and reinterated the word “integrity” more than once:

Mike Klander – Dedication and Integrity

Whether as a Campaign Manager, Election Day Chair, Party Staffer, Policy Director of the Ontario Young Liberals, Executive Director of LPC(O), Ontario Campaign Director (2000), or a Leadership Campaign Organizer, Mike Klander has demonstrated consistent integrity and versatility in the dispatch of his duties. Mike has proven his ability to create unity, inspire energy, engender trust and deliver results with our Party’s membership, elected officials, and voters at large. Indeed, for over fifteen years, he has been essential in building our Party and keeping it strong.

Mike Klander – Experience and Ability

After fifteen years of dedicated service in federal and provincial politics, Mike Klander brings much to the table. With an innate understanding of the Liberal Party, and an extensive national network, Mike offers our members experience and real ability.

As a senior political organizer for Paul Martin, Mike played a significant role in building Martin’s Leadership organization in Ontario. Prior to joining Martin’s team, Mike worked to build a national organization for Brian Tobin. Throughout all his leadership activities, Mike demonstrated real integrity, building bridges and promoting Party unity.

As Executive Director of the Liberal Party of Canada (Ontario), Mike was responsible for managing the day to day affairs of the Federal Liberal Party in this province. During that period, he also served as Ontario Campaign Director during the 2000 Federal Election Campaign.

As an organizer in every federal and provincial election since 1988, Mike has developed a comprehensive understanding of the Liberal Party, the political process and government affairs. Building on that experience, he established Klander and Associates in 2002, working as an independent public affairs consultant representing clients both in Ottawa and at Queen’s Park.

Originally from Hamilton, Mike now resides in Toronto with his Fiance Charrissa and her daughter Mcquiag, and Bailey, their 4 month-old chocolate lab. He holds an Honours degree in Political Science from McMaster University

It’s only a matter of time before Mike Klander’s name disappears from the net altogether. I’m sure he’s already contacted the webmaster of www.rosecherryshome.ca to get his name removed from the board of directors list. The last post on Mike’s blog before he deleted it sums things up nicely…

It would appear that more people viewed my blog than the small circle of friends it was intented for. I apologize if anyone was offended by my comments…they were meant to be in jest.

Reminds me of another passage of scripture: “Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!” (Proverbs 26:18-19)

mike klander? who’s that?

Damage control is now in full gear as the Liberals try to downplay Klander’s role in the Liberal party. Stephen Heckbert’s response has been recorded in many news sources, including the Ottawa Citizen

Klander’s blog was personal and did not reflect the view of the federal Liberals, said Stephen Heckbert, a spokesman for the Liberal campaign in Ontario.

“I think he recognized that there’s some things that are outside the bounds of good taste,” Heckbert said. “And I think then it came to a decision that it would be better for the party and for him if he were to step down.”

Klander was a volunteer and did not play an official role for the Liberals during this campaign, Heckbert said, adding he has apologized to Chow.

“Obviously, this is something the Liberal Party of Canada doesn’t condone. It’s our view that partisan rhetoric has its limits.”

This “volunteer” who didn’t play an “official role” seemed to have a high enough profile on the Liberal Party of Canada (Ontario) website though, his stunning mug appearing below the Prime Minister’s:

The webpage has since been updated, Klader’s photo removed, and the Vice President’s position listed as “Vacant.” I have nothing against the Liberal party, really. I think they’ve done a pretty good job with a lot of things, actually. I generally vote for “people” not “parties” so Liberal, Conservative, NDP… I look at the party’s overall worldview of course, but I personally look to the people as my ultimate decision maker. I thought I should clarify that so people didn’t get the idea that I was an anti-Liberal or something. I’ve voted Liberal more than a few times

www.Can’tKeepMyBigMouthShut.com

The hits just keep on coming as yet another Liberal advisor demonstrates the Principle of Government Verbosity (PGV). Mathematicians use the formula “V = P(T x t)²” but in layman’s terms it means that the quantity of verbal-diarrhea is directly proportional to the total governmental power multiplied buy the square of the time your party’s been in power multiplied by the time you’ve personally been in power. To simplify it even more, the longer you sit on the throne, the more stuff starts coming out both ends.

We’ve already drawn attention to the dynamic Liberal Advisor duo Scott Reid and John Duffy in a previous post who seem to believe families who draw money from social services are more apt to purchase “beer & popcorn” than child care. Well, the hits just keep on coming. Now Liberal advisor Mike Klander has demonstrated his grasp of the media subtleties involved in politics. As his website, www.klander.ca (aka www.mikeklander.com) proudly boasts:

Mike Klander is a highly specialized and well respected government relations consultant assisting clients both at Queen’s Park in Ontario and at the Federal Government level in Ottawa.

Whether managing a crisis, proposing a new initiative, monitoring legislation, or simply building political relationships, Klander and Associates can help your business or association navigate through government.

If Mike Klander is your navigator, then I suggest you start sizing up your other passengers and figure out which one you should eat first as you find yourself stranded on a icy rock in the middle of the North Atlantic. Our friend Mike, you see, decided that it would be a great idea to have a personal blog where he could air his opinions. Our friend Mike decided to keep his website at klander.blogspot.com under his real name. Our friend Mike even had the ingenious idea of naming his personal blog after his professional website, “MIKEKLANDER.COM.” Our friend Mike also decided to be crass, use profane language, make slurs against homosexuals, and compare NDP candidate Olivia Chow to a dog. Guess what our friend Mike is doing now? Yes, that’s right, he’s deleting his page, apologizing to everyone (and their dog) and resigning.

Links to the story:

• The Globe & Mail
• The Toronto Star
• The National Post
• MacLean’s

I hereby offer this warning to all Liberal advisors: SHUT UP! Just be quiet! Advise your Liberal party colleagues in private, and then remove your left sock, and place it firmly in your mouth. Don’t say anything else, ever. In fact, when you go home to your spouse and kids, keep the sock in there… you wouldn’t want one of them sharing your opinions either. Oh, and don’t have friends either. Poor ol’ Mike has a friend by the name of Chris Wakelin who also had a blog on blogspot in which he backed up his pal Mike last September with this stunning endoresement:

As you may know, my good friend Mike Klander (www.klander.ca) is running for exec V.P of the Liberal Party of Canada (Ontario). Given Mike’s experience as a staffer and an executive director, I cannot think of a more qualified person for the job. He understands the need to extend bridges to those shut out since Leadership, get accurate membership lists and all that other [CENSORED] that the average member needs. Besides that he has a kick[CENSORED] watch that will tell you the weather (temperature and barometric pressure). He over paid for it but assures me he would be more frugal with party funds. The bottom line I am supoorting even though he fired me. That should say something. hahaha just kidding, I was laid off. Go to [CENSORED]. (Profanity censored by Pete)

Chris has since deleted his blog. I’m not sure if deleting his blog had anything to do with Mike’s current blog-controversy, but it was probably a smart idea anyway. Liberals – saying what needs to be said, and then apologizing and resigning for saying it.

dumb and dumber

For my friends and brethren south of the 49th, up here in the Great White North we’re gearing up for a January federal election prompted by a “no confidence” vote in late November against the backdrop of financial scandal. Rest assured, we Canadians are like many larger North American mammals, and prefer to add a fall layer of fat, curl up in our caves, and gently snooze the winter away – so you can pretty much bank on a remarkably poor voter turnout for a late January election. Late January is, traditionally, the coldest period in the North West quarter of the world, so I suspect many of us will be huddled in the safety of our igloos, munching deep-fried whale-blubber and penguin-pogos, and trying to ward off rogue polar bear attacks. Perhaps there might be a couple of us brave enough to nip into town on our dogsleds, but that’s about it.

With said election just around the corner, I hereby predict that the Liberal party – the governing party of Canada since 1993 – is not only going to lose their position, but will be decimated. Not decimated in the same manner as the Tories were, mind you, but nailed pretty hard. Again, for my American friends: Many moons ago, just after electricity was installed in some of our larger 12-igloo metropolitan areas, a man by the name of Brian Mulroney became our “Prime Minister,” or “Big Chief Penguin.” It’s sort of like a president, but without any of the power or celebrity. Mr. Mulroney was Canadian leader during the NAFTA negotiations and eventual ratification, but he was also plagued with cessation talks in Quebec, unrest among our Native Peoples, the dreaded new Goods & Services Tax, as well as a disturbingly large lower-jaw. When Mulroney resigned, knowing full well that he could not lead his party into another election win, he’d hoped that his successor could recover the confidence of the populace. Unfortunately, the Conservative party chose, quite possibly, the absolute worst case scenario: a female. That’s not intended to be a sexist statement, because Kim Campbell was no political slouch by any stretch of the imagination. She spoke boldly and inspirationally, eyes firmly fixed on the future of Canada. She was, without question, the best person to lead the party. Unfortunately, the fact that she was also Canada’s first female Prime Minister made her a political novelty, and to a nation that was utterly exhausted by a leader who’d already carried the country too far from her traditional paths, Kim Campbell was the final nail in the Conservative coffin. In September of 1984, Brian Mulroney led Canada’s oldest political party into power with the largest seat majority in the history of the nation, taking 211 of 282 parliamentary seats. After Mulroney’s resignation, Kim Campbell led the party into the 1993 election which resulted in utter destruction of the party, winning only two seats. The oldest political party in Canada was no longer even recognized as an “official party.”

That is not the fate I’m predicting for the Liberal party. However, several recent gaffs has made it apparent to the Canadian people that they’ve been in power too long, and have become alienated from their constituents. That’s a natural thing, and not something that is necessarily bad. Politicians need to be kicked out of their comfy chairs every so often to see what the real world is like. It’s one thing to talk about the nations problems – it’s another thing to live them. Most recently, two senior Liberals advisors appeared separate television programs and decided to express their views on less fortunate members of Canadian society. One of the Conservative election promises is to increase the payout for families drawing on social services, and Liberal communications director, Scott Reid thinks that’s a bad idea. He advised CBC News on Sunday that, “Working families need care that’s regulated, safe and secure. Don’t give people 25 bucks to blow on beer and popcorn. Give them child-care spaces that work.”

Okay, that was just plain dumb, and Mr. Reid later admitted that in an email sent to the CBC a little later. Apparently he didn’t send that email soon enough to stop senior Liberal strategy advisor, John Duffy from commenting a little later on CTV in support of Reid’s statement, quipping, “There is nothing to stop people from spending it on beer or popcorn or a coat or a car or anything.” Okay, John… you’ve got to stop talking now. You work for a strategy company (www.strategycorp.com) for Pete’s sake! You’re supposed to know how to deal with gaffes like that.

I have no doubt that this simple “off-the-cuff dumb & dumber combo-meal” is going to echo long in the ears of Canadians who already feel that the Liberal government has been alienating them. Prime Minister Paul Martin in desperately trying to assure the media that he has the utmost confidence in low income Canadian families to care for their children, but the damage has been done. They’ve officially lost that vote, and they can only hope that January 23rd will be just too cold for them to go outside to hit the polls. Perhaps if beer and popcorn were provided at the polling stations…

judge not lest ye be judged

Harriet Miers has done the intelligent thing and resigned her nomination to the Supreme Court, considering the fact that she has never sat behind the bench in her whole career, and her legal escapades are about as memorable as 4-armed-Grimace. That’s not to say she couldn’t be a fantastic judge, but when you have nothing going for you professionally except your friendship with the President to rally senate support, that’s just not a whole lot. Actually, I was somewhat shocked that George couldn’t make this one stick, since he seems to be brilliant at pushing through even the least likely political appointments (read “John Bolton”).

Cheers to Mrs. Meirs for this intelligent decision, and putting the solidarity of the republican party, and the support for her friend above what would have been a tremendous promotion. (Read Google News on this topic)