Away from the falls and into the weeds

By Ivan Morgan

I have a few issues (I can see ex’s reading this and nodding in agreement). You know who doesn’t seem to have issues? The current leader of the provincial Liberals, John Hogan. I don’t want to call him Premier quite yet, as we didn’t make him Premier, a bunch of Liberals did.

His test is coming soon.

Hogan is claiming the main election issue is his deal with Quebec to give away all the resources of the Churchill River 16 years before the end of our lopsided contract with them in exchange for some fast money.

Seriously?

Sorry dude, I think there are bigger issues than caving to Quebec – again. Our issues (we who are the ATM for your government) are day to day issues that affect all of us, not big picture pie in the sky nonsense.

What about the drug problem and attendant crime problem overwhelming us all? What about the lack of housing, and the suffering it is causing everyone but landlords? What about the price of food? How about the deplorable state of health care? What about a whole host of things the Liberals have done nothing about in the 12 years they have been in power? I could go on and on.

A new Churchill contract is the main issue? Two questions: Why is he saying this, and what’s the thinking?

He is saying this because they need a big shiny winner, so you won’t think too much about what they haven’t done in all their years in power. They want to dazzle you with hope, and patriotism and a brighter future for all. They don’t want to be dragged down into the weeds of their legacy. Nor are they interested in you mucking about in the weeds of this deal.

The Churchill “deal” is on wobbly legs, with a who’s who of knowledgeable folks warning us it’s a disaster. Not convinced? One of their own, hand-picked, three-person independent review panellists bailed saying we aren’t getting the best deal. Not good.

Hogan says it’s now or never. Critics ask what the rush is.

He says this is a one-time deal, take it or leave it, and Hydro Quebec won’t come back to the table. First question: who believes that old saw? Second question: who cares?

The truth is the Liberals care. Putting this deal on hold would force them to campaign on their dismal – dare I say indefensible – legacy. They would have to campaign on big promises to fix things they haven’t fixed in the last 12 years. Wouldn’t be me.

The Liberals claim this deal will be the salvation of us all. Have not will be no more. It’ll bring every mother’s son home. We will be masters in our own house. Been there, heard that.

Problem is it works. Folks get elected on that blarney.

As Hogan bears down on the election, it looks more and more like the wheels are coming off his Churchill River bus, and with all those eggs in that basket, he can’t blink now. (Get me with the mixed metaphors!)

And speaking of buses, the Opposition Tories claim they don’t need a campaign bus. As we head into an election, they appear to be a group less than the sum of their parts. Are they pretending they don’t need a tour bus because they can’t afford one? Some people I spoke with think so. Two questions: Can they not raise the readies for a bus? And second: what does that say about their openness and transparency? Their ability to govern? Their support?

I have no idea of their financial situation, but if they are broke, they should say so. A campaign bus is a necessary political tool. I have been on a few and they are important for a bunch of reasons. Not having one, claiming one is not needed, seems odd to me. Am I old and out of touch with modern ways or is this a lame attempt by them to turn a serious negative into a watery positive? You be the judge.

The election looms. From where I sit the whole thing seems surreal.

Two questions: What got us here? What the heck are we all going to do?

Ivan Morgan can be reached at ivan.morgan@gmail.com