Editor, The Times:
Dan Gardner is one of the Vancouver Sun's better writers (they aren't all right-wing ideologues at Pacific Press).
Friday, Sept. 16, Mr. Gardner's column was titled Canada's Economic Miracle Exposed.
Remember during the last election when the media assured us that Canada was economically a 'shining beacon on the hill' compared to all those around us. Since a minority Conservative government was ruling us, it had to be due to the genius of Stephen Harper not to mention Jim Flaherty, his finance minister.
Dan Gardner pointed out that this tale of Canada's economic miracle was a chimera, a fantasy worthy of the pen of Baron Munchausen.
Of course, our banks are in better shape. However, this was more due to the actions of Jean Chrétien, who wouldn't grant the banks their fondest wish - to become mega-entities vulnerable to all manner of financial failure and fraud.
Gardner points out, and I quote him directly, "The government grossly exaggerated how well the economy was doing under the masterful economic stewardship of Prime Minister Stephen Harper."
He goes on, "That's politics." "The fault lies with media."
I know I've flogged this one a lot but I'm going to crack the whip at the equine once more.
What was the role of media in the last election? To tell us the facts? Or to elect a majority Harper government?
My feelings were that even if all this rosy Canada in such good shape thing was true we were too far from God and too close to the USA for it to last.
Once again I quote Dan Gardner, "Even a quick look at the numbers would have revealed that the Conservatives were telling a 'whopper'. But far too many journalists didn't bother to look at the numbers."
"They were too busy applauding."
Dennis Peacock
Clearwater, B.C.