Many of William Shakespeare’s peers referred to him as the “Great Teacher.” Throughout all of his plays he was seen to be teaching one common theme – prudence. The main characters in all of his plays are constantly dealing with challenges that require them to make decisions upon which there is no sure correct course of action. All of his plays are studies in making prudent choices; in other words: what is the best choice when there is no perfect, risk-free option?.With apologies to Walter Russell Mead from whose book God and Gold I take the following analogy:.Alberta Premier Jason Kenney’s political challenge is like that of balancing a three-sided pyramid where the top has been levelled off and a ball bearing has been placed upon it – the challenge being to keep the ball bearing from rolling off. .In Kenney’s challenge, the three sides are: What is in the best interest of Canada? What is in the best interest of Alberta? And what is in the best interest of Jason Kenney?.Many long-time observers believe that ever since he was in short pants, it’s been Jason Kenney’s over-arching goal to one day become Prime Minister of Canada. They also think he has enormous political talent and boundless energy with which to reach that goal. .His problem seems to be that he cannot conceive of a pathway to reaching it, he thus lacks a strategy for accomplishing this life-long dream. And, like all pursuits where there is no strategy, the tactics and actions as premier have become muddled, incoherent and sometimes conflicted with one another. Predictably, these actions have failed to engender faith and loyalty in those who would like to support him and agree with his overall objectives..In effect, the question facing Mr. Kenney is what is the prudent course of actions that he should take to achieving his (supposed) life-long goal of becoming prime minister? .As Shakespeare spectacularly shows in his plays, there often is no perfect path; that all choices come with their potential risks – sometimes fatally so. .And doing nothing at all – which was Prince Hamlet’s choice – can be as terrible a decision as any other..A large and growing number of Albertans – and indeed many Canadians – believe confederation is in serious crisis. The tyranny of the majority has allowed the federal government to bleed provinces with strong economies to sustain those that are not, via programs like Equalization, Employment Insurance, the Canada Pension Plan, and others. These programs are manifestly unfair and are being gamed by some provinces, yet the federal government looks the other way as the scammer provinces snicker from behind the federal government’s skirts. Couple that with measures such Bill 69, tanker bans and national carbon taxes (supported by all major parties) that are rightly seen as existential threats to the economies and lifestyles of those provinces, and the crisis continues to worsen..So what, alas, (poor Yorick) is Premier Kenney to do? .To aggressively push back at the Trudeau government (and O’Toole’s acquiescence to most of his major policies) and call out the gaming of the equalization formula by Quebec and other provinces would almost certainly ruin his chances at acquiring the regal title of ‘Right Honourable’. .And he has not done so. However, the consequence of that has been plummeting support for Kenney and his party in Alberta to the point where his re-election as premier is seriously in doubt. .And yet he continues to dither and remain silent. We still await the items and language that will be in this fall’s coming referendum. He is completely and entirely mute on the O’Toole’s carbon tax and his lack of forthright support for more pipelines. .Jason Kenney has assumed the role of Prince Hamlet in this tragedy. .And like Hamlet, his dithering and hesitation is leading to disaster for his political career, Alberta’s future and ultimately for the Canadian confederation. .Premier Kenney needs to act boldly as if the future of the Canada is at stake if he doesn’t. .Because it is. .Gord Tulk is a Columnist for the Western Standard
Many of William Shakespeare’s peers referred to him as the “Great Teacher.” Throughout all of his plays he was seen to be teaching one common theme – prudence. The main characters in all of his plays are constantly dealing with challenges that require them to make decisions upon which there is no sure correct course of action. All of his plays are studies in making prudent choices; in other words: what is the best choice when there is no perfect, risk-free option?.With apologies to Walter Russell Mead from whose book God and Gold I take the following analogy:.Alberta Premier Jason Kenney’s political challenge is like that of balancing a three-sided pyramid where the top has been levelled off and a ball bearing has been placed upon it – the challenge being to keep the ball bearing from rolling off. .In Kenney’s challenge, the three sides are: What is in the best interest of Canada? What is in the best interest of Alberta? And what is in the best interest of Jason Kenney?.Many long-time observers believe that ever since he was in short pants, it’s been Jason Kenney’s over-arching goal to one day become Prime Minister of Canada. They also think he has enormous political talent and boundless energy with which to reach that goal. .His problem seems to be that he cannot conceive of a pathway to reaching it, he thus lacks a strategy for accomplishing this life-long dream. And, like all pursuits where there is no strategy, the tactics and actions as premier have become muddled, incoherent and sometimes conflicted with one another. Predictably, these actions have failed to engender faith and loyalty in those who would like to support him and agree with his overall objectives..In effect, the question facing Mr. Kenney is what is the prudent course of actions that he should take to achieving his (supposed) life-long goal of becoming prime minister? .As Shakespeare spectacularly shows in his plays, there often is no perfect path; that all choices come with their potential risks – sometimes fatally so. .And doing nothing at all – which was Prince Hamlet’s choice – can be as terrible a decision as any other..A large and growing number of Albertans – and indeed many Canadians – believe confederation is in serious crisis. The tyranny of the majority has allowed the federal government to bleed provinces with strong economies to sustain those that are not, via programs like Equalization, Employment Insurance, the Canada Pension Plan, and others. These programs are manifestly unfair and are being gamed by some provinces, yet the federal government looks the other way as the scammer provinces snicker from behind the federal government’s skirts. Couple that with measures such Bill 69, tanker bans and national carbon taxes (supported by all major parties) that are rightly seen as existential threats to the economies and lifestyles of those provinces, and the crisis continues to worsen..So what, alas, (poor Yorick) is Premier Kenney to do? .To aggressively push back at the Trudeau government (and O’Toole’s acquiescence to most of his major policies) and call out the gaming of the equalization formula by Quebec and other provinces would almost certainly ruin his chances at acquiring the regal title of ‘Right Honourable’. .And he has not done so. However, the consequence of that has been plummeting support for Kenney and his party in Alberta to the point where his re-election as premier is seriously in doubt. .And yet he continues to dither and remain silent. We still await the items and language that will be in this fall’s coming referendum. He is completely and entirely mute on the O’Toole’s carbon tax and his lack of forthright support for more pipelines. .Jason Kenney has assumed the role of Prince Hamlet in this tragedy. .And like Hamlet, his dithering and hesitation is leading to disaster for his political career, Alberta’s future and ultimately for the Canadian confederation. .Premier Kenney needs to act boldly as if the future of the Canada is at stake if he doesn’t. .Because it is. .Gord Tulk is a Columnist for the Western Standard