Friday, May 11, 2001
A detriment to democracy - THE COMMENTARY
By Joseph Planta
VANCOUVER -- Tom Wappel, the Liberal MP for Scarborough-Southwest, is in a royal pickle over his initial refusal to help a constituent. The refusal came in the form of a letter Wappel wrote in response to his constituent James Baxter. Baxter requested assistance obtaining government benefits for merchant mariners. The kind of task that MP’s are there to do.
“How is it that you are writing me for help if you didn’t think enough of my abilities to justify voting for me?”, asked Wappel of the blind and nearly deaf senior. Because Baxter did not vote for the Liberals in the November election (he voted Alliance), Wappel balked at offering any assistance to his constituent.
The letter is damning on numerous levels. On the initial level of refusing to help an old man, Wappel is an arrogant idiot. On the level of being a Member of Parliament, Wappel has demonstrated an abdication, as well as contempt for his Parliamentary responsibility. On an ethical level, he’s reflected no sense of decency or introspection.
One such as I, who doesn’t take to the ideals and views of the Liberal Party of Canada, could cite this latest incident as yet another example of the arrogance prevalent in their party ranks. The spectacle Wappel has made of himself is utterly disgraceful. It’s pathetic really. One with the presumed intellect of Wappel -- not to say of his experience -- should know by now the procedure when accepting the mantle of public office. Is Tom Wappel so enamoured of ego and power that he forgot exactly what his personal responsibility is to the constituents he was elected to represent?
As we witness an election in these parts, let this be a lesson for all those on the ballot next Wednesday. Irrespective of the party affiliation that appears next to the candidate’s name on the ballot, once elected, the “honourable” member represents not only those that brung him to the ballot -- his or her’s party, those that voted for him, but also those that didn’t. It’s not rocket science or the precedent of utopia’s best public representative. Rather it is the responsibility dictated by the system that governs us -- the laws of the land. It’s clear Wappel has breached those rules.
And how exactly did Wappel know how Baxter voted? I could understand some zealous canvassing during election time, but to take that information and use it his role post-election, is perhaps the biggest and most indictable of charges against the character and ethical make-up of the MP in question.
During last November’s federal election, in this space, I contributed an endless litany of why I could not vote Liberal or why anyone else should. My biggest complaint of Jean Chrétien, then and now, is that he and many of his Liberals espouse an arrogance that sets them up to be the only choice to form the government in Canada. Need I remind you that it is through their own devices, that that has happened. Mr. Chrétien’s arrogance and perpetual hankering for power has bastardised the institutions of our land beyond belief.
This is an astonishing example of the systemic arrogance we see on the part of the Liberals. I did not vote Liberal in last November’s federal election, nor do I think I will anytime soon. To see this latest example of sheer arrogance and disregard for decency and the political process that employs him, only reinforces my utter distrust of the Federal Liberals and those that propagated as and for them.
Tom Wappel’s actions were dastardly, thoughtless and I hope key to his defeat. How on earth, does one, on the public teat -- one that had risked so much in running for that so said job in the first place -- get so full of himself, or so paranoid, to justify making such a blatant and tasteless remark to a constituent. The reasons Wappel has given for balking at assisting Baxter are nothing but personal. Wappel has played petty politics to the ninth degree.
We’re all filling out census forms right now, and there are those that balk at such canvassing by ‘Big Brother’. I am quite wary of things like that especially in the wake of this latest situation. Tom Wappel’s biggest regret is probably that he got caught. That isn’t good enough for a society that is disgusted so, to let him go on like that. At best, he should be booted from the Liberal caucus and the constituency should utilise all in their wake to press Wappel for some punishment or even a resignation.
No matter who you vote for at election time, know that it is your most basic right to go to the one elected for assistance without worry that you didn’t vote for him and her. Churchill said something to the effect that we shape our buildings and thereafter they shape us. Tom Wappel, MP, should know that considering him above our system doesn’t wash. He should go, he should resign. Tom Wappel does not serve democracy.
- 30 -
Questions and comments may be sent to: editor@thecommentary.ca
An archive of Joseph Planta's previous columns can be found by clicking HERE .