Incivility, Is It?

Canadians are frustrated that Parliament appears to have lost its civil tongue. With lawmakers casting aspersions on one another, getting fairly personal about it from time to time, and the opposition parties going flat out to confront, deny and parry, thrust and lunge at Conservative government initiatives at every turn, little wonder we've approached once again what looks fairly like a barely functional government.

Despite which, the current Conservative government and Prime Minister Stephen Harper have managed to accomplish much, to their credit and the country's advantage. From handling the economic downturn, to managing international relations, not the least of which is Canada's involvement in the war in Afghanistan, and internal affairs as needed, Canada is is fairly good shape.

We discuss and debate among ourselves the issues that most concern us, from a problematical unemployment rate, the leakage of manufacturing jobs, our costly health care system, energy needs and initiatives in alternatives, crime statistics and the justice system, and Canada's leadership potential in the G8 and G20. And the long-gun registry, the long-form census, and minority government continue to create ferment.

So, are we alone in this bewailing of the lapse of decorum in the House of Commons? That Question Period has turned into a show of juvenile posturings and raucous and rude debate? Do we see finer behaviour and demonstrations of respect taking place in Britain, where so many Parliamentarians have so recently been found to irresponsibly and hugely pad their expense accounts in a manner unseen in Canada?

In the United States Barack Obama assured voters that he was prepared to usher in a new era of non-partisan governance. Under his presidency the country would be administered in a manner to best reflect a united and responsible government, that he would see to it that Republicans and Democrats worked respectfully and usefully together for the people they served.

In his two years of administration a wider gulf of adversity, rancor and blame has resulted than ever before. The country has been beggared by a drain on its treasury, health care reforms created an aura of bitterness that will not soon be lived down, the war in Afghanistan has seen a greater commitment of troops paired with a commitment of detachment. A mere 11% of Americans feel politics in their country has become "more civil" than previously.

Throughout Europe there are public works strikes and unions have declared war on the governments that strive to bring a balance of economic viability back into play. Many of those same countries are battling their own version of self-awareness and self-protection against the incursion of a militant form of immigrant-fed Islamism while being forewarned to anticipate violent jihadist strikes. And North America is not immune from this terror.

In short, what Canadians are experiencing, from Parliamentary dysfunction among political parties, to concerns about national security and the country's finances is being reflected throughout the Western world. Yet, if comparisons are to be made, Canada is in exemplary shape in every conceivable way. And it's past time we recognized that, and allowed our government to do its work on our behalf.