Not My Fault!

If there's anything worse than a seasoned and cynical politician, it must be an inexperienced, callow and not-too-bright politician. We've got too many in both categories, alas. By all accounts, Canada's recently-departed foreign affairs minister, Maxime Bernier, despite his youth, had the type of experience that might and should have suited him to a senior government post - just not that particular one. Even though prime minister Stephen Harper maintains a firm grip on all his ministries, he cannot be everywhere all the time.

Nor should he be. There seems, lamentably, to be such a dearth of dependable, reliable, intelligent, honest and capable members of Parliament that the choices are pitiable. Give us a break, please do: an unelected - two unelected - lawmaker/s brought into a Cabinet position (or into the Senate, as the case may be). It's common enough in the United States, but this is Canada, we're not accustomed to this type of thing, although it's been done in the past, on occasion.

And appointing a still-green 34-year-old member of Parliament as secretary of state for agriculture? Another, a mere 32-years-of-age as secretary of state for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, and Official Languages? Not dreadfully vital posts, most certainly, but is that the best we can do, all we can offer? What's the rationale for these appointments? That they're more malleable, manageable, less likely to squawk in protest when they're manipulated?

Keeping all one's governing ducks in a row doesn't make for a good and workable, integrity-laden and reasonable government. It simply relates to the chief's inability to let loose the strings, trust his own choices. In the case of Maxime Bernier, clearly proving too much was entrusted to providence; he was incapable of growing that quickly into the position. And as young men are wont to do, he sought to present himself, not the position, necessarily.

Conceited preening as a way to prove he was capable and admirable and responsible, doesn't equate with intelligent application of resources. If it was more important to him to forward himself arm in arm with a visually presentable girlfriend as a companion piece to his cabinet status, then he was more than a little off-message. If the cheesy veneer of small-town riding politics in distributing Beauce-produced cakes to Canadian troops in Afghanistan is what occupied his mind, then he was more than a little off base.

He didn't have time to mature into the job. It isn't the kind of position that one should mature into. But it's not his fault. He was simply there for the selection process. It was the prime minister who chose to elevate this promising young member of Parliament into a position whose seat proved too large and uncomfortable for him. Wasn't his fault, he told his riding supporters, that no one warned him his girlfriend had inconvenient personal contacts.

Not his fault sensitive briefing documents were left at her home, no longer in the hot grasp of his personal possession. Not his fault he couldn't discuss that little matter with her, because they were estranged, no longer dating. His personal sensitivities trumped his professional and political obligations as an elected official. Not his fault he hadn't the good sense to separate the wheat from the chaff.

But we do, actually, know whose fault it is. Not his proud papa's fault, either. Not Julie Couillard's fault; in this war of the sexes, it's every gender for itself, and if a generous book offer can result from all this nasty public airing of personal lingerie, then all the better for an enterprising, self-respecting woman.