Actions Speak More Than Words
April 15, 2006 · By George Freeman
News that the Prime Minister has returned home to his suburban Calgary digs for the Easter weekend is one more example of how genuinely modest Mr. Harper is as a leader; especially considering he could have gone to the Prime Minister’s retreat, Harrington Lake. This is a good sign that Harper takes restoring public trust in government seriously because to do so will start with how he himself lives, and how he expects his cabinet ministers to manage public privilege as well. Long will it be remembered that the governments of Martin and Chretien spent monies from the federal treasury like it was the Liberal Party piggy bank. And historians will write that Liberal hot air of compassionate and tolerant big government was more smokescreening than substance to cover cronism and corruption.
Also in the news, the US Vice-President, Dick Cheney, and his wife, donated nearly $7 million of an $8 million dollar income to charity. This stands in sharp contrast to his predecessor, Al Gore, who reputedly gave a mere $353 of a nearly $200,000 income to charity in 1997.
Is there a lesson to be drawn from these two stories? I would wager a yes. With so much of the media coverage of politicians being unapologetically cynical, it helps to see demonstrated examples of good personal character in our leaders.
We all know that words are cheap, that actions speak more than words. We should be wary of leaders who find umpteen ways decry social oppression and disenfranchisement, yet somehow don’t think the example of their own character should be judged at all.
Private character is always judged in politics! One has only to recall the epic controversy of Bill Clinton’s impeachment to know how little people respect divorcing the public and private lives of their leaders; poor Clinton’s arguments for his private life barely stood up to criticism and he remains the butt of many, many jokes.
Conservatives do their reputations a huge service when they recognise that their private lives matter in public opinion, that they best live as conservatives, whether by a modest appreciation for material wealth and the trappings of power, or by generous donations to private charity. And this is good! Demonstrated good character reminds us that good government is possible because good leaders are possible to get, irrespective of how cynical media report their Machiavellian, sinister motives for everything.
[...] The Politic | Actions Speak More Than Words [...]
Do you really think the Cheney / Gore comparison is fair?
The Cheneys gave 87% of their income to charity. Fantastic, but they still did get to live off of $1,000,000.
If Gore gave 87% of his income (or $174,000), then he would only have $26,000 to live on. In other words, below the American poverty line.
You right actions will speak louder than words, thats why Harpers parlimetary secritary for: womens affairs is a white guy from the west. Fraclophone cannot speak french, and is from the west. and ACOA is a guy from Alberta. Believe me those of us not in Alberta are watching Harper very closely, and what he does at home means nothing to us!
George, you made Jack’s Newswatch’s Blog of the Day!: http://www.jacksnewswatch.com/.....16th-2006/
I think it’s funny how many reporters are talking about Harper’s “modest” home in Calgary. Am I the only one that has ever actually visited Tuscany?
Peter: by that do you mean thta Tuscany is not a modest, middle-class neighbourhood or that it has ways to go before it hits that mark?
I can’t say that I know anyone who lives there, but when I am on a long (and I do mean long) drive from downtown, I have gone past Tuscany and I’m pretty sure that I wouldn’t live there if I had a choice.
However, based on the salary that he has been supposed to have been receiving from his various jobs over the years, it seems appropriate and maybe a little cheap.
Tuscany is a bit high end but still somewhat modest by Calgary standards. Go to Bear’spaw if you want to see real ostentatious B.S.
I’ve worked on a few of those homes and it makes you want to kick the lawyer dick who owns it the nuts and scream “What are you thinking?”
So, Peter you’re right Tuscany certainly isn’t like (snicker) Dover, or Forest Lawn but it could still be considered modest especially for a man who becomes Prime Minister. Hell, Dithers probably would be afraid to walk through Tuscany at night ’cause to him it’s a slum.
Does anyone have even the slightest concern about the Vice President of the United States earning 99% of his income from sources other than his job?
I’m all for people earning large amounts of money, but this should make many feel quite uncomfortable.
Gevalia Coffee…
[...]Try one pound of our exceptional coffee for only. Including shipping and handling and receive a cup programmable stainless steel coffeemaker as a special gift. Try one pound of our exception[...]…
Coffee Beans…
[...]From wikipedia the free encyclopedia. A cup of coffee. Coffee is a popular beverage prepared from the roasted seeds of the coffee plant. It is usually served hot but can also be served cold.[...]…