Mark Twain may be most remembered for penning The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, but his ability to transform his observations into profound prose made him a sheer genius.
A quick internet search reveals Twain did not hold politicians in high regard. In one of his more colourful observations, Twain noted, “Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason.”
It is safe to say that Twain’s sentiment remains intact today. From our own prime minister, who is about to enjoy his third breach of ethics probe, to our premier, who just appointed a political friend to a $250,000 a year job, politicians continually do things to ensure our contempt.
We witness daily the buffoonery that is politics in our institutions. You can observe the inane antics of our federal politicians during question period in the House of Commons. Heckling, name calling, non-answers, stupid answers, stupid questions, juvenile behavior, temper tantrums, lies … yes, our taxpayer-salaried federal politicians do just about everything to not make us proud.
The House of Commons, however, doesn’t have a monopoly on boorish behavior. The Alberta Legislature, too, is a place where we are treated to the absurd.
Last Wednesday, St. Albert MLA Marie Renaud was speaking to Bill 30, which proposes changes to health care, when she accused UCP MLA Shane Getson of non-verbal intimidation, which included imitating her gestures and her words, and making faces at her. That prompted acting speaker Nick Milliken, UCP MLA for Calgary-Currie, to demand she retract her claim of intimidation and apologize. Things further deteriorated.
The absence of civility in our political institutions is nothing new. Such antics are as old as Confederation, but that doesn’t mean they should be acceptable. The legislature is (or should be) a place of important work. It is where legislation is determined, which can have both a direct and indirect impact on the lives of Albertans.
One of the root causes of such ridiculous behavior is partisanship. Political parties are akin to sports teams – you play on one sports team, with the sole objective of beating the other sports teams. Parties subscribe to a particular ideology, and those who do not subscribe to that ideology are rendered ignorant and devoid of common sense.
It was clear in Milliken’s treatment of Renaud that partisanship played a role. It wasn’t good enough that Renaud, who was visibly taken aback by some kind of interruption during her speech, withdrew her comments. Milliken demanded Renaud apologize, or be shown the door. Renaud chose the second option.
The NDP, of course, is not guiltless when it comes to partisan-induced hyperbole. In fact, NDP MLA Marlin Schmidt stated during debate last Wednesday that he wished former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher had died 30 years sooner.
It’s a sad state of affairs when the Alberta legislature is treated like a schoolyard by some of its elected inhabitants. Twain had it half right – voters can change the politicians out, but without real reform, the next batch of politicians we elect will be apt to put on repeat performances.
