Harper May Soon Join Bush And Blair In Political Oblivion
By Dr. Sawraj Singh
I have had a very close relation with Canada. Even though I lived in America, yet I visited Canada so frequently that many people thought that I was a resident of Canada. I attended many religious, social, cultural and political gatherings there. Many Indians who visit Canada often tell me that they saw my writings in many parts of Canada. I was also surprised when a very well-known New Democratic Party (NDP) leader had many nice things to say about my book Crisis in Civilization A Sikh Perspective. I have often been baffled by the fact that how could a country like Canada elect a Prime Minister like Stephen Harper?
Stephen Harper belongs to the Bush, Blair, and Harper trio. I can understand how America and England can elect persons like Bush and Blair. However, I could never understand how Canada elected Harper.
My impression of Canada was Trudeau’s Canada: A very-well respected country in the world. I met American university students who went to Latin America wearing maple leaf shirts because the local people did not like Americans, but they loved Canadians. It took America more than 50 years to open up to Cuba. However, Canada had very cordial relations with Cuba. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Canada became Cuba’s largest trading partner for a long time. Many Canadians visit Cuba.
Canada was respected for its independent stands. It may not be an exaggeration to state that Canada was one western country that had the most cordial relations with the third world countries. However, all that was changed by Harper, who is an admirer and follower of Bush. More than 70% of Canadians did not think much of Bush. However, his protégé is still holding on to power in Canada while both Bush and Blair have been sent to political oblivion.
It seems that finally Harper is on his way to join Bush and Blair in political nowhere-land. His party has been routed by the NDP in his home state of Alberta. Rachel Notley, the leader of NDP in Alberta, said, “I think we might have made a little bit of history tonight.” I feel that this may be the biggest understatement. They have not made a little bit, but an enormous amount of history. Harper violated all of the principles of foreign policy which were laid down by Trudeau. Trudeau wanted Canada to take independent stands, while Harper always played second fiddle to America. Not only that, Harper even tried to surpass his mentor. Harper refused to attend the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, which Bush attended. After the Olympics, Harper took the biggest-ever caravan of reporters and business people to China in an effort to make up for his jingoist and chauvinistic stand. However, he refused to learn from his mistake and continues his carte blanche policy toward America. He continues to reinforce his image of America’s yes man. Instead of trying to save Canada from getting involved in conflicts, he seems to always be ready to jump into boiling pots.
Harper is on his way out with very little chance of coming back. He has already done enough damage to Canada’s status and prestige in the world. The sooner he leaves, the better it is for Canada because he may get Canada involved in the quagmire of the Middle East, or somewhere else where it may become very difficult to get out without sustaining serious or lasting damage. Not only can his exit help Canada, but also the whole world. If Canada becomes a truly independent country, then that can change power equations in the world and reduce the chances of a Third World War. Europe is already reluctant to join American efforts to contain and confront Russia. If Canada also refuses to toe the American line, then America may be forced to reconsider its aggressive policies and start looking at diplomatic and peaceful solutions.
Trudeau wanted Canada to be a bridge between the West and the East, and a bridge between the developed world and the developing world. Harper completely reversed the course of Canada set by Trudeau, and from a peace broker, made Canada a party to the conflict between the East and the West and between the developed and developing countries. He has done more damage to Canada than Bush has done to America. Bush did not radically change America’s course, he only exaggerated the existing contradictions. However, Harper, by completely reversing Canada’s role, has not only harmed Canada’s fundamental interests but has also lowered Canada’s status and prestige in the world. Such policies only increase the chances of a Third World War. By showing Harper the way out, Canada not only can protect itself, but also play a great role in preserving world peace and prosperity. Canada should resume its role as a peace broker and try to bring the East and the West closer as well as try to narrow the difference between the developed and the developing countries.
We do not need leaders such as Bush, Blair, and Harper, who promote western arrogance and aggravate divisions between the East and the West, and between the developed and the developing countries. Bush and Blair have already gone to political oblivion. It is in the interest of the Canadian people and the people of the world that Harper joins his mentors. The world is going through a very serious and deep crisis where its mere existence is at stake. We need leaders who do not have any trace of jingoism, chauvinism, demagoguery, populism, fanaticism, impatience or intolerance. All of these characteristics aggravate differences among people and between countries. We need mature, calm, cool-headed, tolerant, patient and far-sighted leaders. I hope Canadian people find a new leader who has these qualities so that Canada can play the role visualized by its wise leaders.
Dr. Sawraj Singh, MD F.I.C.S. is the Chairman of the Washington State Network for Human Rights and Chairman of the Central Washington Coalition for Social Justice. He can be reached at [email protected].
