"Is it reasonable"....an Omnibus bill masquerading as a budget?

You asked me to write something about  my perception as to what is going on in parliament right now.  

All I can do is pose questions:

Is it reasonable to hide changes to the basis of our environmental law within a huge Omnibus bill masquerading as a budget?

Is it reasonable that a minority of Canadians voting for the Conservatives (less than 40% of the 61.4% turnout means that less than 25% of Canadians) gave the Conservatives a majority government?

Is it reasonable that the NDP & Liberals which together got almost 50% of the vote, do not have more power?

With that questionable Conservative mandate, is it reasonable that they are proposing massive changes affecting everything from Old Age Security to employment insurance, environmental protection, even the oversight charities receive all buried within this Omnibus bill. 

Is it reasonable to do this when none of this was in their election platform?

Is Harper being hypocritical?  As a Reform MP back in 1994, Harper strenuously objected to a Liberal omnibus bill "in the interest of democracy".   He decried it as a "kitchen sink approach" that prevented MPs from voicing the views of their constituents. He urged that it be divided up. Now "he's using the very tactics he once denounced as undemocratic" and on a grand scale at that.

Are these other tactics by this government reasonable?

Is it reasonable to muzzle scientists and activists?  What does this do for free speech? Is ideology more important than science?

Here are some links for background information:

http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/1208716--omnibus-budget-bill-is-an-affront-to-parliament-and-the-public

http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/What+lacking+federal+omnibus+bill+Scrutiny/6753376/story.html

http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3580930

http://thetyee.ca/Mediacheck/2010/03/25/HarpersMuzzle/

Did Harper's call to his troops for a majority at any cost,  cause some Conservatives to setup Robo calls to mislead voters they knew were not going to vote for them?   Will Election's Canada  be able to get to the bottom of this? 

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/robo-calls-warrant-huge-investigation-former-harper-aide-says/article535499/

Will this government's cutting of Election Canada's budget by 8% allow Election Canada to protect our elections in the future?

http://www.news1130.com/news/national/article/348080--elections-canada-left-open-to-scandal-by-budget-cuts?cid=dlvr.it

Is in not time that we let our voices be heard?

Is it not time,  we spoke up and let the backbenchers know how we feel?  Is it possible to exert true democracy and convince enough Conservative MPs to stay away or vote against the bill?

Why not send our politicians messages through Lead Now, Right now?

Cheers,

Ernie

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Post Script

In this polarized environment we find ourselves in, my personal feeling is that, until we get true proportional representation,  we are best governed by minority governments whereby discussion and compromise are necessary. Can we hold this government at bay until such a balance can be restored?

Leadnow.ca

Dear Friends, Prime Minister Harper is trying to ram his Omnibus Budget Bill through Parliament this week. Opposition MPs are doing everything in their power to stop it, and more and more Conservative politicians are speaking out against the anti-democratic bill. Send an urgent message to all the Conservative MPs in your province, calling on them to be one of the 13 heroes we need to stand up to Harper and defend our democracy. Canadians from across the political spectrum are uniting against the Omnibus Budget Bill. According to the Ottawa Citizen, Prime Minister Harper is becoming increasingly isolated as more and more Conservatives speak out against his anti-democratic attempt to remake our society. [1] The outrageous nature of this bill is provoking incredible statements from conservative politicians. Former Cabinet Minister Tom Siddon said: We don't understand why you have to roll this all into one bill and ramrod it through Parliament¦. This is unbecoming of the Conservative party to which I belonged. [2] The Budget Bill is becoming a symbol of the struggle to defend Canadian democracy. Many Conservative MPs have deep concerns about the bill. Now they face a real choice: will they allow this reckless bill to pass, or will they stand up to Harper and defend our democracy? Voting on the bill starts in Parliament this week. We need your help to create a massive public outcry right now, and flood Conservative MP offices with thousands of messages calling on them to defend our democracy and stop the Budget Bill: http://www.leadnow.ca/13heroes Just 13 Conservative MPs can stop this Budget Bill, split it apart and start over, by simply telling Prime Minister Harper that they would deny him the majority of votes he needs to pass it. These MPs are isolated in a government that keeps them in the dark and discourages them from representing our voices. We need a strong show of support for principled, honest action now to give our MPs the courage they need. Click here to send an urgent message direct to the Conservative MP constituency offices in your province, calling on them to be one of the 13 heroes we need to stop this bill: http://www.leadnow.ca/13heroes From flooding Conservative MPs with pro-democracy messages, to amplifying opposition to this bill in the media, to rallying at MP offices on Wednesday night, we have a real opportunity to bring Canadians together, from across the political spectrum, to stand up to Harper and his Ministers. Thanks for so much for all you do. With hope and respect, Matthew, Jamie, Jen, Julia, Ryan, Crystel, Sanna, Logan, Heather and Reilly on behalf of the Leadnow.ca team p.s. On Wednesday evening as our MPs gather in Ottawa for a decisive showdown in Parliament, we'll rally their home ridings, and communities across Canada. You can find the rally nearest you and RSVP at http://heroes.leadnow.ca/search/ [1] Harper's new enemy: Conservatives (Ottawa Citizen) http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/columnists/Harper+enemy+conservatives/6747112/story.html [2] The Era of the Red Tory is Long Gone (Hamilton Spectator) http://www.thespec.com/opinion/columns/article/735535--tim-harper-era-of-the-red-tory-is-long-gone