BULLYING IN HIGH PLACES: THE CASE OF CATHY BENNETT AND PREMIER DWIGHT BALL

A former Cabinet Minister suggested recently that when partisan politics comes in contact with any issue, it becomes distorted. I thought of the comment’s applicability to the current furor about bullying in the Ball Liberal Caucus, especially the case of Cathy Bennett. Is politics a motivator in how it is being disclosed? How pervasive is the problem? Is it endemic to political office anyway? Who must take responsibility? What “fixes” if any are required?

Those questions beg one more: if the allegations are proven true, what fixes are required, that is to say what effect should the outcome have on public policies?

Bullying is complicated even in the words and context used to describe it. Now that vile behaviours have joined the day-to-day experiences of Ministers and MHAs, and are increasingly part of the political lexicon, commentators and the public have an obligation to include them in debate — as fraught with risk as such a polarizing issue may seem. 

THE RISE AND DECLINE OF CATHY BENNETT

When I wrote “Cathy Bennett’s Days in Finance Are Numbered” little more than ten months ago, I seriously doubted her tenure would last more than a few weeks.

I had assessed the province’s financial position and her first Budget. It was easy to see that the restraint measures she proposed — mostly increased taxation — were the work of a hapless political amateur delaying the axe-wielding necessitated by a widening fiscal chasm. 

The exigencies of politics demanded execution at the start of the government’s term. Even if one cared not a whit about the province’s finances, delay bore far more political landmines than decision.

Admittedly, the September piece had poorly assessed the importance of ego, partisanship and ambition over common sense. Still, in the circumstance, a savvy Minister of Finance should have presented an ill-equipped Premier the fiscal ultimatum commanded by a dreadful Tory legacy.

A STORY OF POLITICAL CHAOS: PUBLIC SHOULD DEMAND NEW BUDGET

The Government’s first Budget, one entitled “Restoring Fiscal Confidence and Accountability”  will do nothing of the kind. It is, in brief, something akin to a “sick joke”; except the April “fools” are the ones the public just elected.

This is a Budget which the Liberal Government’s PR builders assured would reflect the beginning of some political leadership, absent so far; the kind that would rectify Tory incompetence.

What the province got, instead, was the blunt artistry of a clique of deceivers.

The Government has confirmed, again, Nalcor CEO Ed Martin is firmly in charge.  

It takes no great mind to figure out the singular agenda of Finance Minister Cathy Bennett, even if it is lost on union leaders of NAPE and CUPE, that the Province took a very retrogressive step, yesterday. Instead of stepping back, this Liberal Government has actually advanced our collective march over a very steep fiscal cliff.

HONESTY SHOULD BE HALLMARK OF NEW BUDGET

It is difficult not to feel a sense of anticipation building around the forthcoming Budget. Not just business but the public, too, are speaking fearfully about the measures that Finance Minister Cathy Bennett may impose to return the Province to a state of fiscal sanity.

Of course, the words “may impose” have no legitimate place in the current budgetary discourse; but they are there. One might ask: what does the Minister and the Premier not understand about a $2 billion deficit, and a reluctant bond market demanding proof the government will act? 

The mere fact that the Minister failed to follow through with the proposed HST hike, in spite of deteriorating revenues, and having failed to offer immediate off-setting tax hikes and spending cuts, represents a sure signal the new government was not quite ready to govern. Indeed, Ball’s early comments suggested he might find respite in Ottawa. Likely, by now, he has figured out partisanship doesn’t count for much; besides, we should fix the problems we have created.  

DWIGHT BALL CLEARS PATH TO PREMIER'S OFFICE

Now that the name Dwight Ball is no longer prefaced with the tentative title, “interim”, he has all the political and moral authority needed to clear a path to the Premier’s Office. 

It is reasonable to state that the Liberal Party has given the people of the Province a real political alternative; one badly needed in the land of Premier Kathy Dunderdale. 

The new Liberal Leader deserves the congratulations of the whole Province. 

MY ABC CAMPAIGN: WHY I CAN’T SUPPORT CATHY BENNETT

The Liberal Party is in the midst of choosing a Candidate who will lead it into the next election.  It is an important choice; the Province badly needs an alternative to the Dunderdale Tories.

The Contest has been a very civilized affair, almost too civil, given how fractious such events can become.  I have been amused from the start that Tory Cathy Bennett was allowed to join the race.  Usually a leadership contender establishes political pedigree well before being allowed to compete for the top spot.  The Liberal Party has decided there is wisdom in the crowd and who can argue.

When I discussed the idea of an ABC Campaign (Anyone But Cathy) with Uncle Gnarley he thought the idea sound.  “Don’t go getting all caught up in big words or sarcasm”, he suggested.  “You are not very good at that stuff.  Just state the facts”, he counselled. “The public aren’t stunned you know.”    I looked at him with a grin and agreed to state my case, straight up. So, here goes.

PADDY DALY SPUTTERS CATHY BENNETT’S CAMPAIGN

Actually that title is a slight exaggeration, but one no worse than the pumped up propaganda Cathy Bennett attempted as she got hoist on her petard, by VOCM Backtalk Host Paddy Daly.  She must have been trying to be Kathy Dunderdale, again. 

 The two are ‘cheek to jowl’, on Muskrat; the only difference is that Bennett believes she can explain the Project better. 

My Blog Post, How The Premier Damages Her Own Credibility (Part II) deals with Dunderdale’s wish to supply New England electric power for a fraction of its development cost. 

When no less a personage, than the Premier, advocates that we develop Labrador’s Gull Island, which is larger than Muskrat and reportedly cheaper per KWh, but still well in excess of 20 cents per KWh, and that we should sell it to the Governors for net 3.5 to 4 cents per KWh, you just know we have a problem.  When Bennett uses her soapbox to sell the same message, you know ‘Alice’ must have left the two behind, in Wonderland.

THE LIBERALS ARE OFF!!!

Yes, they’re off!  Finally. The second ‘natural’ governing Party in the Province wants your attention. The ads will start soon. Don Cherry has already tweaked a well-worn script for Kathy Bennett.  It goes something like:

She may not know Liberals

But, she knows the Tories

And here’s the kicker:

My friends at the Board of Trade know her, so check her oout!

 

(This paid political message brought to you by Nalcor. “We’ll keep you in the dark”.)

Ahem.

Now, will Dwight Ball please tell us what he stands for? I hope so.  It’s hard watching a martyr not knowing if he has religion; though he does look like a fellow with a lot to confess.