Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Friday, January 25, 2013

Regarding the “Clement, NDP riding president face off”

I had never met Tony Clement until Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013. I will never forget his first words to me and the group I was standing with across the street from his New Year’s Levee in Parry Sound. As he walked up to us he said, looking at me directly, “NDP, you’re the letter writing guy, I’m not going to speak to you.” There was no hello, how are you or offer of a hand shake. A few moments later he added “you are disrespectful.” As Parry Sound-Muskoka’s federal member of Parliament who is the president of the Treasury Board of Canada I believe any citizen meeting your federal MP for the first time would expect better.
At this first meeting I didn’t know you needed permission to speak to Tony Clement. Considering his first words to me, I don’t think permission would have been granted. Speaking to him without permission is considered to be an “interruption.” Apparently one isn’t allowed to interrupt Tony when he speaks. This courtesy of not interrupting without permission was not a respect afforded me when I spoke to him this Saturday. In the various conversations that took place some had the right to “interject” without being viewed as “interrupting.” This interpretation wasn’t offered to me at that point in the so called “face off.”

At one point I was deemed to have “interjected” by pointing out his government’s anti-democratic, Bill C-45. At this point I was accused of being “very disrespectful” and not participating in “civil discourse,” according to Tony. He then added “you don’t deserve to govern.” In a democracy, citizens decide whether I deserve to govern, certainly not Tony Clement. Considering the history of the Harper government Tony represents, I don’t find it out of character to hear such declaration from Tony or his political comrades. The concepts of democracy seem to elude them on many fronts.

I respectfully request Tony Clement apologize for his remarks on that Saturday: “you are disrespectful,” “very disrespectful” and inferring I was not participating in “civil discourse.” I expect an apology forthwith.

Original Article
Source: cottagecountrynow.ca
Author: Clyde Mobbley

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