When we hear the word 'bully' we associate the word and the subsequent behaviour to children and teenagers who exert their power over other children in the schoolyard, those they see as weak. But there is another form of bullying that although no more or less damaging, is more difficult to address and to overcome.
It's called Political Bullying and although relatively rare in today's society, the world is seeing examples of the behaviour in pockets throughout the globe. There are two distinct forms of Political Bullying, the first involves bullying by the head of a government toward other nations. An excellent example of off-shore Political Bullying would be the current American Bush administration. The second is much more insidious - bullying by a nation's leader of his or her own people. This second form of in-country Political Bullying is my topic for today.
Canada, early in 2006 elected into power a man who promised to change the way the federal government does business. Relying heavily on an opposition political party who had remained in power for well over a decade and subsequently became mired in arrogance and corruption, Conservative leader Stephen Harper based his election campaign on promises of openness, fairness and accountability in government to a voter demographic who were so fed up with the long-ruling Liberals that they granted Harper a minority government.
During the campaign Harper had his critics, who accused him of a desire to become fully integrated with the United States while others issued warnings of Harper's secret agenda to further involve Canada in the wars of either Iraq or Afghanistan. Both warnings have since proven correct which have been reflected in Canada's participation in the Bush-initiated Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America and our country's ongoing commitment to the war in Afghanistan which since 2002 has claimed the lives of 60 Canadian soldiers.
Of late another side of Stephen Harper has been emerging that could lead to a devastatingly divided country as he pits one part of Canada against another. I speak of course of the Atlantic Accords, signed, sealed and delivered between the previous federal government and the provinces of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland/Labrador. A contract that Harper himself promised during his campaign, not to touch.
The prime minister however went back on his word earlier this year when his finance minister introduced his annual federal budget. One specific section of the budget in effect canceled the Accords and forced both provinces to choose between a new formula for equalization. They could opt to keep the Accords but millions of offshore revenue dollars would be clawed back by the feds if they did. The federal government under Harper's leadership broke the contract.
The first hint that Harper is afflicted with Political Bullying came in a statement to the press after a reporter asked his reaction to Atlantic Canada's assertion that he had illegally broken a signed contract. In a nutshell, Harper with arrogance accompanied by a barely concealed sense of malice invited the provinces of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland to "sue me". This writer had visions of Nelson Muntz, the bully on The Simpsons pointing his finger at Atlantic Canada and uttering his famous "Ha Ha!".
Confirmation of Harper's Political Bullying came just yesterday during a short trip to New Brunswick. Harper came bearing millions of much-needed dollars to bestow upon that province's infrastructure. In his presentation speech Harper declared his Political Bullying personality by sending a message to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland that the New Brunswick example is what happens when one cooperates with the feds.
So what is a Political Bully? As we know, bullying occurs when someone conducts themselves in a manner which exerts power over others whom they perceive as weak. Bullying methods include:
*demeaning their victims
*isolating victims from groups and/or manipulating their allies
*ignoring them
*threatening them
*causing feelings of discomfort and/or anger
*taking and/or damaging their possessions
*making them participate in activities against their will.
As you can see, 100% of the above bullying methods have been practiced by Stephen Harper against Atlantic Canada. But why, you might be asking do some people bully others. The answers of course are complex and wide-ranging but the majority of Political Bullies see their methods as a way of making them look assertive and in charge. Other reasons behind the Political Bully's tactics include their constant need to be the centre of attention and to be admired (if not feared) by others.
Political bullies surround themselves with more political bullies. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty is a perfect example of a Subordinate Political Bully. They are almost never heard from unless they feel the need to remind the primary Political Bully that they're still behind him and usually a short loud burst of "yeah, what he said" will be sufficient in securing their seemingly exalted position in the pack. But a puzzling scenario emerges as we witness the number of non-bullies who will align themselves with the pack. These non-bullying entities see themselves as weaker than the Political and Subordinate Bullies and therefore vulnerable to becoming targets if they refuse to go along. Examples of weaker powerless non-bullying entities would be Peter MacKay and Gerald Keddy.
So as you can see Stephen Harper displays the classic characteristics of a Political Bully. Specific to the Harper model is a new trait that will no doubt be attributed to Political Bullies of the future, specifically the emergence of a seemingly cold lack of human emotion. Harper demonstrated this characteristic early on in his tenure when as he escorted his two young children to school, instead of a warm embrace he shook the hand of his young daughter in what could only be described as a cold and stilted demonstration of an emotion he finds puzzling - affection. In retrospect this incident should have been the first red flag that Harper wasn't what he appeared to be.
Atlantic Canada can expect to be on the receiving end of Political Bullying tactics for some time. This particular region of the country has been historically perceived by Political and Secondary Bullies as a prime target and proof of that is demonstrated in our ongoing "have-not" designation. Our struggles to rise up from that negative status in an effort to join the wealthier and more powerful "haves" is seen by Political and Secondary Bullies as extremely threatening.
And we're all learning the consequences of threatening a pack of Political Bullies.
One of my favourite fashion designers and environmentalists has died. Liz Claiborne died today at the age of 78 following a courageous battle with cancer. Not only was she the founder of Liz Claiborne Inc. which catered to the professional woman, she and her husband Art Ortenberg were active in environmental and charity work and founded The Liz Claiborne and Art Ortenberg Foundation to provide support for protection of the wilderness.
