Editor: Prime Minister Stephen Harper is a natural for the lead role in the tragic drama ‘The Big Con.’
A hyper-ambitious father of several disabled children becomes convinced he must appear to be compassionate and caring in order to advance his career. Although the con man has willfully neglected his traumatized dependents for several years, he concocts a plan to buy their love. When his family rejects his ostentatious gifts and convoluted promises, the con man’s boss sees through the charade. The story ends with the deadbeat dad being demoted to a menial position.
There is a version of this sad tale currently playing in Ottawa. Harper has instructed his new Veterans Affairs Minister, Erin O’Toole, to arrange a series of photo-ops to announce a variety of support programs for particular Canadian veterans with specific conditions.
Harper believes if a smattering of financial assistance is announced in dribs and drabs, the extended positive media coverage will convince many Canadians that his government is sincerely concerned about our injured veterans.
Will the veterans, their families and close friends see these announcements as nothing more than a cynical attempt to buy votes on Election Day? Will they overlook how Harper backed his previous Veterans Affairs Minister, Julian Fantino, in spite of repeated displays of arrogance, incompetence and indifference? Time will tell.
Lloyd Atkins,
Vernon