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So Prime Minister Harper is all in a tizzy that a convicted Murderer named Clifford Olson is getting the Old Age Pension while in prison.
Olson is undoubtedly an evil man, a child killer and the worst sort of perversion of humanity imaginable.
These are the very attributes Harper was looking for. A very convenient Bogeyman indeed.
You see, to the Far Right, social programs are anathema, and universal social programs are the devil’s own spawn.
By setting up Olson as the straw man to be skewered by Harper’s righteous sword, the Conservatives also are aiming at setting a very dangerous precedent.
Whipping up the fury of the masses at the monster on a pension, they hope to be able to insert the thin edge of a very large wedge that soon will be striaght up the collective asses of aging Canadians.
Once Harper is able to argue that convicts should not be eligible for pensions, who’s next.
Once the universality of pensions is no longer sacrosanct, how long before universal Health Care (the real long term target IMO) will start to be dissected, one segment at a time.
If nothing else, Harper knows how to take the long view. He once promised that when he was through with Canada, we would no longer recognize it. In this case I believe he is a man of his word.
No abortion in 3rd world countries, no abortion at home. I think I’m getting it now.
Toe, why do you suppose I am so terrified of a Harpercon majority and don’t understand why more progressives not only don’t have that same fear, but they seem to fear Iggy even more and won’t even entertain the idea of perhaps a push toward a coalition with N.D.P.
With all of Iggy’s gaffes and pro-corporate stance: I somehow don’t think he would out and out tear out our social programs and most importantly, he’s not an evangelical Christian.
What happened in his party recently on that contraception for developping coutries debacle was example of poor leadership organization on Iggy’s part. Should have been a whipped vote, given the pro-life, Catholic MPs.
I am sure eventually those pro-lifer MPs will be dealt with at a later time and be thankful they would never have any higher position in House of Commons
But Toe, you’re right to fear…what my co-blogger is talking about is a grave warning about what’s to come in attempting to cut Clifford Olson’s pension. As despicable as Olson may be, we must some how petition that he keeps his pension.
I mean, I’m sure many, many other prisoners have been and still are receiving old age pensions in prison as well for many years including the last 4 years of Harpercon darkness. No one talks about that. Non issue really. Even if most Canadians didn’t know it until today, that’s the point no big deal. As the Left Hand points out, Harper deliberately picked probably the most notorious inmate in Canada to have a fit and start implementing his sick plans. Certainly, he never expressed this kind of concern for the past 4 years of other prisoners aging out and receiving pensions.
Most Canadians I have pointed out, don’t think outside the box to think further like some of us do. They don’t seem to mind being fed Harpercon kool-aid by the corporate media which will no doubt be flogging this.
I hope that the Left Hand’s post will instill more fear into progressives and centrists about allowing in a Harpercon territory.
Right on Motherhood St-Stevie!!
I don’t give a rat’s ass if Clifford Fucking Olson draws an old-age pension, as long as they don’t let him out to SPEND it. It’s a pittance anyway, and they can claw it all back with interest when he’s dead. I don’t know why conservatards are so stupid about this, but no one can ever credit them with having too much common sense.
Don’t defend the indefensible Clifford Olson. He’s only the sacrificial goat in this exercize. Defend the Universality of Pensions and health care.
Ignore the deak and watch for the punch!