Wrong Approach

Another appeal to reason over the census, is in the Star Phoenix today. It is a wonderful editorial and should be widely read. Unfortunately, an appeal to reason is the wrong approach with this government. They are immune to reason. What is needed instead is a wild charge, based on irrational fear and tribal hatred -- something designed to appeal to the average Conservative voter.

For instance, opponents of the government's decision to scrap the long form census should say that scrapping it will help Al Qaeda. If we don't know how many Muslims there are in Canada, the terrorists will use that to smuggle more suicide bombers into the country and may increase the chance that our daughters will marry one. It is complete nonsense of course, but it will scare the shit out of the Conservative base, something this government will not let stand.

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Message From Your Government

Serfs,

Forget about prorogation. Be afraid. Be very afraid. Remember that. In order for you to assimilate this message, for every new person joining Facebook, we will send out another cabinet minister to tell you to swallow your gold fillings. The watchword for today is FEAR.

Greg's note: Fear is all the Conservatives have left. Nothing else seems to be working. Don't underestimate this tactic. It worked for the Republicans for years.

Instant Update: My favorite section of the Globe article:

After cabinet discussions earlier this week, Conservative ministers yesterday attempted to allay public fears about boarding aircraft. But without elaborating, they also said they have obtained “two or three” new intelligence tips concerning serious threats since the failed Christmas Day attack.

None were described as an imminent threat to Canada, and none have apparently led the government to take measures any tougher than the airport-scrutiny regimen imposed on Dec. 26. (emphasis mine)

None of the threats were aimed specifically at Canada and none of them has led to any concrete action on the part of the government. However, they do make for really, really good distractions for a government looking to distract voters from its bad behaviour.

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Got A Prorogation Problem?

Bring out a terrorist alert. Classic Rovian move.

The warnings don't suggest anything at the level of 9-11, he added, and are not meant to create panic.

Not panic perhaps, but fear --fear of the "other", fear of "change"-- that would be very, very good.

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