The political firestorm raging around the recent report of Alberta auditor general Merwan Saher has produced much political rhetoric and smoke.
Through the eye watering haze of blame, denial and finger pointing, a couple of recent quotes caught my attention.
The first quote was made by Mr. Doug Horner, in an interview with the Gazette. The article by Victoria Paterson, “Horner won’t quit” provides the quote: “My dad used to tell me that if the opposition isn’t mad at you then you’re obviously not doing the right thing.”
Within the context of what is happening in the world of the provincial Tories, I am having a hard time understanding the wisdom and relevance of this political advice from Mr. Horner’s well-intentioned dad. Was the quote used to clarify, obfuscate or was it just intended to provide a few meaningless words during a momentary blank for something to say?
The clarity of Mr. Horner’s logic is seriously flawed. It implies that by making the opposition mad he must be doing the right thing. I believe it is the opposition that is doing the right thing and has every reason to be mad and take the Tories to task and hold them accountable.
May I suggest that our provincial Minister of Finance reflect on another quote recently made by our provincial auditor general? This quote was published in Paula Simons’ Saturday column of the Edmonton Journal and within the context of Mr. Saher’s report, I have no difficulty in understanding the kernel of its wisdom: “What I was told was, Merwan, what’s needed is a backbone of principles, not a corset of rules.”
I believe it is time for some of the major decision makers in our provincial Tory government to get rid of the old corset they’re wearing and start taking some vitamin supplements to firm up their backbone.
Wilf Borgstede, St. Albert
