Ah, Harper. The image I have of him in my mind always puts a smile on my face. It's his face, you know. The same face he wears in every photo op that speaks volumes. The face that says, "I really could not care less, but I'm the Prime Minister so does this look happy enough?" It's a face I don't trust. A face full of the false promise of care. Much like his ideas for the G8. I'm an idealist, or in a realist's opinion, an idiot. So when I say that Harper's top priority of aiding maternal health and ending maternal mortality is a wonderful idea, I mean it, but of course I'm not stupidly going to follow behind the man with my love and adoration blinders on. Idealists are not idiots, they just have ideals and hopes for the world. ...and clearly I get a little worked up when my ideals are challenged. Whoops.
As for Harper, the idiot - I mean 'idealist', his priorities for the G8 are all well and good. In fact his warning that "the focus should be on keeping past promises, not making new commitments." is something I can even get on board with. Too often, governments and politicians make promises and ploys to help the less fortunate that are quickly forgotten when more recent issues crop up. With the way the world works these days it's really no surprise of course. Everything is fast-paced and quick, and the masses have trouble focusing on one thing for more than 30 seconds, but sticking to global goals is a good thing. And overall, working towards lowering maternal mortality rates in mothers and newborns is a very worthy goal. Giving funding to the proper teaching of midwives, and to resources for mothers immediately before and after the birth should prove to be effective in third world countries as well as developed countries, because maternal health is a truly global concern.
So yes, it would seem that Harper's 'ideals' are sweet, and nice, and he's a wonderful man who cares about the well being of all the woman and <<< little babies all over the world. [Insert 'aww' here] But as many hardcore realists would tell you: (those same realists who would call me an idiot) This year, it is Canada's turn to hold the presidency and host the meetings of the world's large economists, despite not actually making it into the top 8 list itself. Harper does not want to be making any mistakes at this point. These meetings are crucial for him to show the forward thinking and power that is his government in Canada. He's proposed the priorities, but he's also called upon the credibility of other countries and their past promises that are unfulfilled, tactfully avoiding his own. He's also proposed that Canada will be in Haiti for the next ten years, helping to rebuild. Harper understands that the masses need to know problems are being dealt with and fixed by 'the big guys' at the top. So he piles on crises, and sloughs off the incredible importance of maternal health to the G8, helping in Haiti, and addressing the past promises of the world.
Whoo! That's quite a lot of stuff. How can he expect to get it all done? The truth has to be that he doesn't. Making a long list will certainly give everyone lots to think about for a while, and put the focus on Harper who has just been so clever to point out these previously overlooked problems. I guess I'll be waiting with bated breath for the actions that will be tied to these 'new' promises. It's a whole lot of talk that seems to have come out of nowhere. And of course, being an idealist I don't like that Harper seems to be uninvolved behind those cold, heartless eyes, but oh realism! You've got me once again. Politics and emotions can't mix! No! Of course Harper can't actually feel empathy for the thousands of still-born babies, or the struggling mothers who won't see their babies live past their fifth birthdays. He's a politician. True idealism would be a refreshing glass of cold water for this world.
That's the view from the north. (Though I must say, it is HOT up here today!)
Disclaimer: Mild sarcasm was used, so please take it as sarcasm and 'don't be cruel.' -Elvis
Sources:
http://www.cbc.ca/politics/insidepolitics/2010/01/pm-looks-to-set-tone-in-davos-economic-forum.html
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/stephen-harper-wants-g8-to-honour-past-promises-not-make-new-ones/article1447278/
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/harpers-aid-spending-under-the-microscope/article1445333/
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