Settling Accounts

It has become too easy to dismiss the most florid criticism of Stephen Harper, whose legacy after almost a decade in power will continue to be examined in the coming months and years.

Much like Godwin’s Law, which states that as any online discussion grows the probability of a comparison to the Nazis or to Hitler approaches one, the Harper Derangement Syndrome (HDS for short) has gained a kind of internet slang inevitability. Spend too much time raving about Harper’s evils and, eventually, you will be accused of suffering from it.

The early post-election reviews of the Harper regime have not been positive, but most Conservatives have glossed over the near-frantic opprobrium with a shrug and an eye roll.

This is not to say that Harper’s time in office was impeccable. It has not been. Rather, his worst transgressions seem to most offend wonkish souls; there is no great sin, but a steady accumulation of smallish, hypocritical ones that led to his...