Second Thots

Mark Kelley was the guest anchor tonight on CBC's The National. He asked the following question leading up to a story about the continuing protests in Hungary (paraphrasing): What would you do if you found out your leader lied to you in order to get elected?

I found that to be an odd question since we already have some idea in this country. Dalton McGuinty lied to Ontarians in order to get elected. His top promise, one for which he personally signed his name to a pledge, was to balance the books and not raise taxes. In his first budget as premier, Dalton McGuinty ran a deficit and raised taxes.

So, Mr. Kelley, I suppose the answer to you question is this: Ontarians were angered, but we'll see what they finally decide through a peaceful election in the fall of 2007.

As a bit of an aside, I'm in favour of recall legislation to deal with politicians who lie during election campaigns. As far as I can tell, it worked in California. I don't see why it wouldn't work in Ontario or Hungary.

UPDATE (11:17 pm): Would it be improper of me to point out that all three lying politicians in question — in Hungary, Ontario, and California — are left-of-centre?