Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Say Anything

Let's keep it real, politicians are forever exaggerating, downplaying, even misrepresenting on occasion, all in the name of projecting a subjective truth that speaks to self interest. This reality partially explains voter cynicism, we see our elected officials as more salesman than honest brokers, which is unfortunate. With purity a non starter, the discussion then moves to a question of degree. Where is the line where partisan relative focus becomes outright lying and deceit, utter fabrication that simply has no factual basis?

The Progressive Conservatives "Changebook" platform has been savaged for it's overt dishonesty, and rightfully so. The CCPA provides a stunning rebuke of the PC platform:
In fact, not one of the 13 graphs is completely labelled and sourced, consistently scaled, and accurately graphed. This consistent failure to accurately and completely present the empirical data cannot be ascribed to sloppiness or typographical errors. The statistical graphs in the changebook have been presented in ways that are clearly unacceptable in normal academic or professional practice. They consistently mislead the reader about the relative proportions of the variables being discussed. The changebook’s graphs reflect a consistent willingness to bend the statistical truth, and a disrespect for normal standards of honesty and transparency in written work. From a group that aims to govern the province, this
pattern is deeply concerning.

Now, apologists will look at this source itself and be dismissive, but since we are dealing with empirical concerns, that's more denial than fair read. The Hudak PC's have taken misinformation to a new low, wherein the whole book reads like an utter pack of lies, pure propaganda with no relationship to reality whatsoever. In fact, almost every independent observer who has poured over the PC platform can see troubling assertions, MATH, conclusions.

We are electing a new government. While voters have become accustomed to distortions, the PC's have introduced fabrication as the cornerstone of their message, they are trying to get elected, based on utter bullshit. This blatant disregard for honesty brings into question character, ethics and fitness to lead? Apparently, platforms are now works of fiction, and it simply comes down to selling prowess, factual basis a laughable afterthought.

I am waiting to see how media endorsements shakeout in this campaign. Should any publication actually ENDORSE this disingenuous document, people can rightly conclude said entity has ceased to have applied ANY journalistic standard. This is "CHANGE" nobody should believe in, nor condone.

5 comments:

Greg said...

It is just more Straussian bullshit. The PC Party has been seized by people who think it is the duty of the elites to lie to the ruled. It has become part of their DNA.

Steve V said...

As well, this BS platform is the natural evolution, based on the success of their federal cousins. The Cons took miscommunication to a new level, there was no real blowback, in fact they were rewarded. The Ontario PC's are just using that template, pushing it further, because the new reality suggests you can push as far as you want, nobody will truly call you out.

Tof KW said...

Except that Hudak's economic plan has been called out, and by many voices too (including the Sun and National Post)

Catastrophic Cuts Scam

A Eliz. said...

I am no Conservative, but Ernie Eves wasn't as bad as I thought.
The Liberls should point out what Hiller is like with the land owners;...Help us all, if this bugger (Hudak) gets in..... like Ford all over again!

sharonapple88 said...

I am waiting to see how media endorsements shakeout in this campaign. Should any publication actually ENDORSE this disingenuous document, people can rightly conclude said entity has ceased to have applied ANY journalistic standard.

Calling it now -- The Toronto Sun will endorse the Ontario PC. ;)