Mr. Dithers Knows Best

After Dithering for more than a year regarding Senate appointments, Paul Martin claims that his newly announced choices " reflect the choice of outstanding Canadians with a record of accomplishments." But it is hard to think of one thing that Grant Mitchell ever achieved in public life. Conversely, last fall, Albertans elected four outstanding Canadians to represent them in the Senate. Yet, Mr. Dithers refused to name any of them. Many Albertans are rightfully upset. Even the Globe (subscription required) was unimpressed:

Yesterday's first instalment, filling nine seats, was quintessentially Martinesque: not egregious, not brilliant, just middling.

Paul Martin, the man who would wipe out the "democratic deficit;" who claims to be in favour of Senate reform; and who claims to be sympathetic to western concerns now says that he does not want to achieve reform "piecemeal."

That can only mean that the PM has a better plan, and that he knows better than Albertans. If Martin is so wise, will he then present to Canadians his plan to reform the Senate? Considering that he will not accept the proposal that Albertans have placed before him, when will he reveal his?

Perhaps his Senate reform plan will be published at the same time as the still-awaited Kyoto policy. In the meantime, he can continue to make room in the Red Chamber for his liberal friends and pals. Some of them will badly need to continue to contract out their girlfriends.

Cross posted to ThePolitic