Letter to the editor
For several days last week NDP supporters, members, and elected representatives were in mourning and also basking in the glow of publicity surrounding Jack Layton's passing.
While Harper's offer of a state funeral seemed to be an act of compassion, generosity, and respect, in my view it was also a clever strategic move. Quebecers especially will see him as a generous and good person and will remember him at the next federal election.
Canada's financial elite no doubt see Layton's passing as a blessing. For them, the NDP is now a lesser threat. They are quite content with a system that allows the rich to get richer while the poor get poorer. One may be sure that they will make every effort to use their abundant resources, which include the mass information media, to belittle, discredit, and embarrass NDP Members of Parliament in the eyes of the Canadian public. NDP MPs will face an awesome challenge that will include the temptation to move to the right, possibly supported by bribes, in order to retain their seats at the next election.
Should the financial elite succeed in luring the New Democratic Party to the Right, then the current situation in Ottawa will go down in history as a flash in the pan instead of a move toward a more just and better Canada envisioned by socialists like Tommy Douglas, Stephan Lewis, and Jack Layton.
William Dascavich
Edmonton
