We need leader, not brand

When I saw the Trudeau logo’d election aircraft, I had a personal epiphany.

Justin Trudeau really does see himself as a brand. The jet doesn’t even show his political party affiliation that well. It’s all about Trudeau the brand, Trudeau the rockstar.

Unbelievably, to me, our country’s name, which this election is all about, does not appear on the aircraft. It should be in huge letters. 

And I hate to say it, a goodly portion of Canadians bought in to the Trump style politics of "brand." Trudeau and Trump both recognized that power of brand. Canadians bought into Trudeau the Image, Trudeau the brand. Americans bought in to Trump. Too many Canadians mistook that image for voting for Canada. 

All the fumbles and ethics problems, half-truths and broken promises, outright lies, are the mark of a brand, not a leader. Sound familiar? A brand believes only in the brand. Trudeau is a brand, not a leader. And that plane, two planes now, says the brand does not include Canada, it barely includes his Liberal team.

Trudeau had his chance and blew it. I thought he was thumbing his nose at his audience, us. Probably not. I believe his single inner goal for his brand was to legalize pot so to be cool and get his brand international recognition. Recognition and adulation are the drugs of choice the stage actor craves. Too many Canadians bought in.

Andrew Scheer gives one the impression, at least to me, of one who has respect for a good majority of voters. He’s not a brand. That is where leadership starts, in my opinion. 

Scheer and his team look like they’ve got some sound, basic ideas that society needs right now about criminals, gangs, and gun control. Scheer’s ideas don’t seem outlandish, he has one big nation-building one. What I like are the smart ones that are geared to incentives to innovate, rather than the tax and hurt everybody philosophy.

Seems something a leader would do for grown ups.

Neil Stephenson, West Kelowna