Reply #3: Edmonton Journal opinion

[tuvor]

(Perhaps the most liberal part of Alberta, but nice to see this slice of Albertan opinion nonetheless.)

The do-as-we-say, not-as-we-do Conservatives were at work again this week, this time ensuring that their incumbents don't have to face tough challenges from hard-working sorts who might also want to do some public service.

In theory, altering the party constitution to effectively prohibit anyone from challenging the nomination of a sitting MP is being done because a minority government cannot be caught in the situation where MPs are back in their ridings guarding their turf, rather than in the House of Commons voting. And that does sound understandable on the surface.

But didn't Stephen Harper try to woo us last year with promises of building a healthier, more vibrant democracy? The Conservative decision is very strange coming from a party that is at least half-rooted in the democratic values of the Reform party, the party that used to champion MP recalls and an elected Senate, and at one time flirted with term limits.

The Conservatives are apparently working on their own culture of entitlement.

http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/opinion/story.html?id=583c643d-d709-438f-b249-fe2bc37f856a