The pathetic and sad state of the boundaries of Canadian political debate

What's really disappointing is how narrow the political debate in this country has become.

I'll give you a couple of for instances.

First, it takes a preacher from Boston, from the big, bad US of A, the country that we're supposedly so much smarter and sophisticated than, you know, to come up here and speak the truth about what needs to be done to stem the crime wave in Toronto. No Canadian has the balls to say what he says. Could it be because those who a) have any meaningful religious affiliation, and b) say things that are harsh and make us feel uncomfortable, especially if they have to do with PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY have been silenced in Canada? Read it for yourself. Has the possibility of being made fun of by Rick Mercer, Michele Landsberg and the rest of the downtown Toronto cocktail party circuit chattering classes intimidated us so much that we are afraid to exercise our hard-won right to free speech on issues that matter?

Secondly, we now have headlines appearing because some Tories expect that a backbencher may try to introduce a Private Member's Bill banning abortion. Apparently, this is cause enough to ask that paragon of wisdom and virtue Belinda Stronach to share her insights on such an unspeakable possibility. SO FRICKIN' WHAT?!? Are we such bullies in this country that we can't even conceive the idea of bringing the abortion issue up for comment? Gimme a break. First of all, everyone knows that the Spears/Federline marriage has a better chance of succeeding than does a Private Member's bill. Secondly, I seem to recall that former Liberal cabinet minister Don Boudria regularly introduced Private Member's Bills which would ban abortion on a regular basis when he was a backbencher. And good on him. That's the democratic process. It shouldn't matter what side of the issue you're on.

Look at the modern Tory party. They are so chicken shit of saying anything controversial if it means they may get misinterpreted, misquoted and then painted as intolerant. Does anyone have any clue about what they'd do regarding immigration to Canada if they won? No. And why not? They're too scared to talk about it because it's outside of what constitutes acceptable debate in this country. It makes me sick. Talking about streamlining immigration is not exactly denying the Holocaust. We think we're so smart, tolerant and sophisticated here in Canada, especially compared to the nasty imperialists to the south of us. I say bullshit to that. We aren't. Freedom of speech and thought has been in a sad, slow decline in this country for a long time. And I think it's pathetic.

Thank God we have things like blogs where people can say what they really think, even if the political class doesn't have the guts to do so.