Focus on the positive: Garth Gets It
Distancing himself from the Conservative pack who remain silent on the Harper-Emerson affair is Member of Parliament for Halton Garth Turner who did not hesitate to weigh into the Emerson controversy:
Time will judge this move ruthlessly. Second, help me fight for changes to the system that will put an end to both political treason and unelected politicians. Garth Turner, MP Halton
After making his views very public on camera and in his weblog, Turner was summoned before “serious looking people” and eventually chewed out by Prime Minister Harper… for standing up for democracy. Imagine that.
I don’t know Mr. Turner personally – his time in the party predates mine, but if he is even half the person that is expressed in his writing, his constituents are very lucky and I am envious.
I am a democrat who believes everyone in the House of Commons, including the cabinet members who make up the government, should be elected. They should sit in Parliament as they were elected. If they decide to change parties, they should go and get re-elected.
It would be a great idea for Mr. Emerson to do that, and hopefully he will decide thatâs the right course of action. Given his new high-profile and powerful position, one would expect voters would be impressed enough to elect him as a Conservative. But maybe not. Thatâs their choice. Garth Turner, MP Halton
Mr. Turner’s weblog is refreshingly open – you always know what he thinks, whether or not he agrees with the Prime Minister or his party. Many Canadians had high hopes that more of our Members of Parliament, from all parties but especially the governing party, would be like Garth, but so far we’ve been terribly disappointed.
Courageous democrats like Garth Turner need our support, no matter what party they support. Encourage good members of parliament with your calls and letters even if you live far away from their riding, for they need to keep hearing that they are on the right track.