Herald Column: Principle or Bruised Ego?

This week's Calgary Herald column from yours truly looks at Guy Boutilier's turfing from the Tory caucus and what it represents: 

For all I know, he is motivated solely by concern for the residents of his riding and given the punishment meted out, it's hard to see this as a politician trying to advance his career. Frankly, Boutilier may be on solid ground, however forcefully he chooses to make his case. Clearly, he has widespread support in his riding.

And really, who am I, a talk show host and columnist, to question someone who went to Harvard-- with Barack Obama, no less. Well, not really with Obama per se, but they were there at the same time and may very well have passed each other in the hall at some point. I've never even visited Harvard and cannot say that I've ever been anywhere near Obama. Boutilier 2, me 0. (Although, I do find it odd that in the context of a discussion on long-term care in the Fort McMurray region, we would be confronted with information about Boutilier's alma mater and his former classmates. I would find myself much more sympathetic to Boutilier's plight had he not gone to such pains to remind us of his glorious CV.)

Yes, MLAs ought to stand up for their ridings and their constituents. Yes, politicians should be free to speak their minds. Yes, Premier Ed Stelmach appears both petty and ruthless in his handling of this matter.

But those touting the Boutilier-as-martyr narrative should consider the following question: Would Boutilier have so vocally championed this cause if he were a member of Stelmach's cabinet?

Further to that: Does Boutilier believe he ought to be in cabinet? The answer to the second question is quite obvious--plainly implied in the following quote, "If the premier doesn't want to have a guy who graduated from Harvard with Barack Obama, that's fine."

Not only does that reveal a desire to be a cabinet minister--as he once was --it also suggests Boutilier may have been a little more willing to bite his tongue if only such a post had been offered in the first place.

Furthermore, if Boutilier were premier, how would he have handled the
matter?

 

(...)

 

Perhaps this is all symptomatic of a deeper problem. What truly spurs people into seeking elected office in the first place? I suppose some ego must be a prerequisite if one is to thrive in the political arena, but the accumulation of such haughtiness can often make politics unbearable.

None of this suggests Boutilier should shy away from standing up for what he thinks is right: It's crucial for democracy to have politicians voicing what's truly in their hearts.

It's depressing, though, that it so often takes bruised egos to provide the necessary motivation.

 

 

 

The rest here.