Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams has a point in his brawl with Prime Minister Stephen Harper. It's not, though, the one that Williams is making by demanding extra equalization payments for Newfoundland.
Williams is insisting that Harper enact to the last "i" and "t" a promise on equalization payments to Newfoundland he made during the last election.
In fact, Newfoundland is doing fine out of the equalization program as it now stands.
And election promises aren't carved on tablets of stone. Harper, thus, was quite right to break his promise not to tax income trusts.
Instead, the point that Williams is making that touches a nerve has to do with Harper himself.
This point got blurred in Williams' roundhouse attack.
He called Harper "untrustworthy," "shameful," "dishonest," and "opportunistic" – all of which had about them the air of attention-gathering substitutes for his last performance when he pulled down the Maple Leaf flag.
That gimmick worked: Then-prime minister Paul Martin promptly gave Williams everything he wanted.
The point remains: What Williams is saying – when he's not shouting – is that Harper doesn't understand his own country.
And about that he's right.
Quite clearly, Canadians already sense this, and the effect of Williams' diatribe will merely sharpen their perception.
Like all columnists, Gwyn gets a certain by if he reinvents some details to make his point. The flag thing for example. Gwyn's perception is his perception but there is no sign the flag flap did anything but undermine Newfoundland and Labrador's position.
Compare what the Premier went looking for and what he settled for and you'll see the point.
Nonetheless, Gwyn offers food for thought.
Compare what the Premier went looking for and what he settled for and you'll see the point.
Nonetheless, Gwyn offers food for thought.
-SRBP-