Open Letter to Pat Martin

Dear Mr. Martin,

You are my Member of Parliament, elected by the people in my neighbourhood to represent us in the House of Commons.  You've been doing this awhile (I am under the belief that the NDP could run a bowl of oatmeal and win in my riding, but that's another topic), and have earned yourself a reputation for being disrespectful, rude, crass, and provocative.

This May, however, you said you were turning over a new leaf.  You said you were going to choose civility, and even had badges made up in an effort to get people to join the civility movement (http://bit.ly/l1h3sI).  You've managed to go a whole 6 months without forgetting this resolution.

Mr. Martin, you behaved terribly on twitter last night.  Upset about the budget, you resorted to obscene language and name-calling.  What's more, in a response to someone who challenged you, you chose to use obscene language at him/her directly.  Sir, do you realise that you report to the public?  Do you know that, in effect, we are your boss?  If you were a private entity (which you are not), you would lose your job with cause.  You know that, right?

And you know that your life is not your own, don't you?  You know that, because you represent me, you are my voice and my face in the House of Commons, and in the world?  You realise that the world is connected electronically, and this deplorable outburst has sullied my good name as a Canadian, and a constituent of Winnipeg South?

I do not appreciate this black mark, Mr. Martin.  I also do not appreciate that you do not even have the conscience or sense of shame to apologise (http://bit.ly/v6q47v), instead choosing to say like a teenager, "They made me mad."  You are a Member of Parliament, Mr. Martin.  You are supposed to set the example.  You are supposed to be a role model, demonstrating that a parliament handles issues with logic, reason, and the public will; not the name-calling and obscenities of an elementary schoolyard.

So, as a man who is literally represented by you, I ask you to sincerely apologise.  I ask you to pause for a minute before you expose yourself online and ask this simple question, "Will what I say be good for my constituents?"  If you cannot answer conclusively that it will be, the wiser course of action is to say nothing at all.

I hope you will reform your actions before the next election.  I will remember this, and will ensure the rest of my neighbourhood does, too.  We would not accept this behaviour from our children, we should not be expected to accept it from our MP.

Sincerely,

Chris Harwood