Effect without cause

PMS provides another example of the Cons' "when in doubt, make something up" philosophy in trying to distract attention from his broken equalization promises, making an utterly nonsensical claim against Danny Williams as an attempt to change the subject. And indeed, this may set a new standard for sheer randomness of a retort:

Prime Minister Stephen Harper says the Newfoundland premier’s latest attack on Ottawa over equalization is damaging the business and investment climate in the province.

Now, if you're looking for some explanation as to how a premier's challenge to the federal equalization formula could possible affect his province's business climate, there's apparently none forthcoming from Harper.

But therein lies the perverse genius of the tactic. Once one eliminates the need for a link between cause and effect, it becomes far easier to seem to be responding originally while reciting from a relatively limited list of talking points by using them in unexpected places. Just consider the possibilities:

"Jack Layton shouldn't propose a rebate for taxpayers who use e-filing. That kind of message is causing our streets to be overrun with criminals and thugs."

"The Liberals' efforts to point out our scandals are violating Canadians' freedom of conscience and religion."

"Anyone who says we should meet Canada's Kyoto emission reduction targets is fuelling Quebec separatism."

And if anybody calls Harper on the tactic, he can always accuse them of having emboldened the terrorists.

It remains to be seen whether that kind of disconnect between Con rhetoric and the real world will become widely recognized before it's too late. But so far, Harper hasn't paid any deserved price for the pattern - which is only leading the Cons to see how much further they can take it. Which may be morbidly amusing for those of us paying attention - but can only damage the content of Canada's political scene in the long run.