Howitzer Harper rides again.

From Bill C-520 imposing McCarthy era disclosure on parliamentary staff’s political histories to Bill C-51 concentrating power in fewer, unfettered hands our ‘go get ‘em’ governors keep claiming Canada’s laws need Conservative tinkering and without this… the bad guys will get us.

It isn’t true. Ambiguous legislation makes for terrible law and we have adequate tools now so, there’s an alternative agenda – an election. Harper will undoubtedly renew his contempt for Canadian law, placing self-interest and partisan power far ahead of Canada’s best interests by calling an election earlier this year.

Sure, I fear for Canada’s future but not from those who kill — violent extremists have always existed. No, I fear most those who would kill democratic oversights out of fear; embracing dragnet democracy that diminishes our freedoms.

Don’t misunderstand, I believe in vigorous self-defence; walk softly and carry a big lacrosse stick – but not at the cost of reasoned, responsible approach, not knowing how cooler heads achieve greater resolutions than the rampart rhetoric with which we’re routinely reproached by this government.

Last election I wrote Stephen Harper seemed a classic bully. With four more year’s evidence – most Canadians not having voted for him – and despite promising to govern for all, Harper’s governing primarily for conservative, corporate interests; pale old money and power.

Special aren’t they?

A multicultural nation doesn’t benefit from labelling entire religious or ethnic groups as enemies, yet Harper inflames situations by stirring ‘us and them’ thinking, and then viciously vilifies anyone who disagrees. Channelling George W. Bush?

What’s a cornered man to do after resting his raison d’être upon a supposedly steady hand gripping Canada’s economic tiller… as we sputter out of gas; spilling jobs and dollars from an undiversified oil basket, thereby revealing Harper’s failed strategic leadership. So man the ramparts and foist a feudal strategy of war-mongering to distract the serfs.

Our world faces evolving violence by extremists whatever their creed, calling or crib. Targeting entire religions or races is not the act of statesmen, rather, an act of fear. And a leader immersed in fear is folly.

Harper isn’t securing safety, he’s securing power.

Distract Canadians with dazzling battlefield triumphs while they pay for every political moment; send soldiers into harm’s way, and then leave them on the sidelines and sidewalks at home. Denigrate and discredit the qualified and intelligent; privacy commissioners, scientists, ethicists, auditors, journalists; most everyone responsible for overseeing Canadians’ best interests lands on Harper’s contemptuous hit list.

From the diminishing state of our environment and Aboriginal relations, to communications between provincial/territorial premiers and Prime Minister – who he hasn’t met with in six years, Harper’s democratic disrespect drags us back to the days Diefenbaker was in power and I, a toddler.

Charitable organizations are considered criminal while corporations receive legislative liposuction. And there isn’t space to address the simmering Senate.

This is beyond sad, it’s indefensible. And the cause is Stephen Harper and his co-dependent candidates.

Harper has little regard for science, eschews social responsibilities and holds enormous disdain for democratic institutions and public intelligence. He’s an over-reactor who claims the sky is falling and he’s the only one you can trust to hold it up. Chicken Little was safe… yet, ridiculous.

A man under siege, Harper remains trapped in the trauma of his closet and wants Canadians cowering too. Don’t buy into his paranoia, because bullies prefer to focus on conflict and Canada can’t afford Harper’s Howitzer-sized hang-ups.