How will history remember you?

Dear Member Oda, I am writing on behalf of my family and all of the families that I know. As a female member of Parliament - you in particular have the unique opportunity to make a real difference - to continue the fight for equality in Canadian society. To continue the fight for a just society where the government steps up and helps the poorer members of our society to make this world a better place. The Canadian government is doing just fine financially - I don't understand why Stephen Harper is attacking our social programs and programs that aim to level the playing field in our society. There is no good financial reason for doing it - but I wouldn't be surprised if there is an ideological one. I lived in the United States and I know what a corrosive influence conservative ideology can be - there, conservatives would rather see people starve and CEO's bask than have the government get involved in a principled manner. In the U.S. the conservative ideology has run amuck, and now as a result the government is practically on its knees financially and so is the middle class. Is this where Stephen Harper and you, Ms. Oda, intend to steer Canada? Why are you attacking and rolling back programs that have only helped our society - such as the Court Challenges Program which helps fund ground breaking Charter of Rights cases? Why have you put Status of Women Canada in jeopardy by this 40% budget cut and changes to its mandate? Why are you trying to silence women's groups by drastically altering the rules of the Women's Program, the funding body at Status of Women Canada? Why has your government extinguished the first real steps in Canadian history to truly establish a proper national daycare system? There is no good financial reason for doing it - so why are you turning back history? Is this how you hope to be remembered as one of Canada's few female members of parliament and Canadian women's primary voice in government? It's NOT RIGHT what you are doing and you are not speaking for us by taking these actions. Please prove that your government is capable of listening. It's your turn, Ms. Oda.