Travers Pokes Harper in the Eye

James Travers writing in the Toronto Star notes that the truth is finally catching up with Stephen Harper:

"...To be hoist with one's own petard is to be blown away by devices meant to harm others; Stephen Harper is his own casualty.

"Singularly synonymous with the first Conservative government since 1993, he is now a bulging political bull's eye. Critics to right and left are unusually agreed that Harper and truth were separated not at birth but at power.

"What makes that delicious as well as damaging is rough justice. Like his predecessors, this Prime Minister relies on perception to shape political realities now proving vulnerable to the same tactic.

"Just as Harper counts on a coffee-shop consensus to support policies built on shaky premises, his growing chorus of critics depends on simplicity – and repetition – to sway public opinion. In that way, popular campaign pledges become acid first dripping and now pouring on the credibility of a Prime Minister force-fitting easy promises into tough government choices.

"...three Conservatives and an NDP premier are right that a promise was broken, as are well-heeled lobbyists arguing for those hurt by Harper's investment reversal. To apparent effect, they are urging voters who believed Harper in the last election not to repeat the mistake.

"In a way, that's amusing. As Harper confirmed yesterday with his so-sue-us comment, political obligations are now so ethereal that even those solemnly sworn have roughly the weight and essence of intestinal gas. In another, it's disturbing. By labelling deception as spin, politicians presumably honest in private life have somehow convinced themselves that situational ethics are acceptable in public."