Last May I wrote a post titled responsibility. I wondered why some people choose to get angry at others when it becomes apparent that they themselves had erred or was seen to be unaware of something. There is no better example of this than the political acrobatic feats being performed in Ottawa. Incredible efforts have been invested in avoiding responsibility for Canada’s air pollution.
Earlier this week I wrote about the economic myopia of the current debate. Partisan mud slinging has been effective at making everyone look dumb and ineffective. But in wasting so much time and energy attempting to force “the other guy” to admit to having made mistakes or not trying hard enough, mistakes are being made and nothing meaningful is getting done. So, whether they accept it or not, they are each responsible for the Government’s inaction.
Where is the leadership on this issue? Accepting responsibility is essential to leadership. Leadership cannot be taken without accepting responsibility.
What Harper’s caucus seems to unwilling to understand is that there is only one Government of Canada. Over the history of our country, different political parties have held the majority of parliament, but each has been engaged in the same institution – the Government of Canada. In order to break out of this counter-productive finger-pointing game, Canada must accept responsibility for its choices and actions.
To all those with mud on their hands: get over yourself. Stop trying to assign blame for the past. We need to work together on this one. Discuss the issues without mentioning any political party. Talk about ideas without staking ownership. Let’s figure out what we want for the future and what each of us is willing to contribute.