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Time shows us that national elections come in only two situations: when a well-supported government looks to the electorate for an extension of its mandate, or when a government has outlived its usefulness or desirability.
America put Joe Biden on the presidential throne because a majority became tired of predecessor Donald Trump’s controversies; Israel held four of them in two years to dislodge former PM Benjamin Netanyahu, himself accused of corruption and criminality.
So it is the same with Canada’s current election; or rather, it ought to be.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau may have been exonerated by the ethics commissioner for his role in such 'scafoffles' as the WE Charity scandal and SNC-Lavalin, there are others, but Election 2021 needs and must be about restoring competent, ethical governance to Canada.
What exactly ought that look like? Here’s one possibility: We need an effective national leader who shuns affectation and never dons a mask. This is where Mr. Trudeau failed: he dons racial and cultural costumes for the pretence of amiability and affirmative action.
The Western Standard published an editorial in 2019 showing photos of Mr. Trudeau as an Indigenous chief, in black and brown face, dressed in Hindu raiment, and a ridiculous photo of him with tongue sticking out and coated in black makeup. Trudeau is a walking, talking minstrelsy, a kind of mocking play created by southern Americans in the 19th century to ridicule and infantilize Black culture and African Americans.
It is regrettable that he cannot understand the impression his life’s choices made on racial and cultural minorities. Even if he may genuinely believe in everyone’s human dignity, his costumes and affectations betray the reality.
Here’s another: we need a mature leader who understands that legalizing narcotics use doesn’t make us a better country — it cheapens us all and contributes to a moral decline while disregarding public safety. Drug use brings out the very worst in people while psychiatrically damaging them.
We need a leader who can start to unite the nation and save it from the armies of separatists in Alberta and Quebec poised to dismantle it. It is a herculean task beyond Mr. Trudeau’s ability. When asked by reporters what he thought about affordability, he smirked and replied, “I don't think about monetary policy.”
What Canada needs is a fresh start under a wiser prime minister.
Christopher Mansour
Barrie
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