Politicians will reap own reward if election called

Just about everyone has weighed in lately on a possible election call as early as this week.

Pollsters are going nuts, with the most recent Canadian Press/Harris-Decima survey going so far as to suggest Canadians are ready for a fall election.

Really? No one I’ve spoken with seems to think so. There’s more of a collective groan when the topic comes up.

Election campaigns are a hectic footrace, where each candidate does his or her best to grab face-time and someone’s attention. Politicians are virtually everywhere, through personal appearances, radio and TV ads, in print advertising and news stories that try to define their party’s virtues and illustrate the shortcomings of everyone else’s. There’s only a small window of opportunity for each: places to go, people to see, hands to shake, babies to kiss. You know the drill.

Is anyone up for this? I am from a journalistic standpoint because I think we need a hell of a lot more clarity on Parliament Hill and substantial leadership from Messrs. Harper, Dion, Layton and Duceppe.

Harper has proclaimed the house dysfunctional and he’s probably right. These guys can’t get together on anything; it’s all partisan and guess who takes the hit at the end of the day? The rank and file: folks just trying to eke out a living, pay the bills and get through another day.

It has been exhausting to witness the posturing of these party leaders: on one hand the PM dares the opposition to topple the government; on the other, the opposition is coy, suggesting it’ll do just that, but only when the time is right.

I hear Mr. Dion had about 42 different non-confidence opportunities during the last session and he didn’t pull the trigger. Each time he captured a headline or two, but did he serve the nation? If he really wanted to get the thing done, why didn’t he just say, “that’s it. We’ve had enough - let’s go.”

Instead, we’ve seen dithering, been assaulted by verbiage and watched as the country’s business has ground slowly to a halt. Why wouldn’t the PM want to pack it in, roll the dice and see what comes up? It sounds like the responsible thing to do but, unfortunately, it’s more of the same: say one thing, do another.

It goes against his earlier edict of a fixed election date, there are four by-elections pending that could put a serious dent in his government and there is the matter of an ethics committee review pending he likely isn’t too crazy about.

Now the looming threat of additional posturing and intense politicking, and for what?

All indications are another minority government. Give me a break.

In my estimation, the party leaders have failed us. They were so intent on one-upmanship, they forgot whom they serve. Should an election be called this week, I hope the people – the ones who ultimately hold the cards - send a clear message it’s time to cut the bull.

We don’t need an election campaign right now. We need reasonable, practical, good government predicated on service and cooperation that reflects the will of the people.

If that’s denied and we go to the polls, let’s clean house and start over.