In the classic children’s book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, nothing goes the main character's way. Alexander wakes up to discover gum in his hair. From there, his day just keeps getting worse, ending with a serving of lima beans for dinner.
Stephen Harper's run of late has looked a lot like Alexander’s day.
1. After weeks of bad headlines about misbehaving senators, Harper prorogued Parliament in September to avoid questions about the Senate spending and ethics scandal. But fresh allegations of unethical behaviour continued to trickle out. We still don't know what happened between his former Chief of Staff Nigel Wright and Mike Duffy. But we do know even more senators have been dragged into the muck, including Harper’s former spokeswoman Carolyn Stewart Olsen.
2. Harper’s “you don’t take no for an answer” line on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline is about as childish and pouty as Alexander's hatred of lima beans. So, for that matter, is refusing to sign a U.S.-backed international arms treaty to keep our domestic gun lobby happy.
3. Harper’s new ministers have found new and creative ways to speak out of turn. Whether it's the new environment minister casting doubt on climate change or a fundraising letter for the science minister casting scientists as "radical ideologues," the new Cabinet leaves much to be desired.
All told, Harper has had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad run. Bring on the Speech from the Throne.