Sun columnists and editorial cartoonists have been having a field day with the PM’s proroguing of Parliament. Some comments in jest, others less so.

Meanwhile, the usually Conservativefriendly Post is questioning who this fellow Stephen Harper really is. A story is headlined “An Unexpected Prime Minister – The Changing Face of Stephen Harper.” The article enquires about his Reform Party past compared with his current stance on matters such as proroguing Parliament, deficit spending, Quebec’s special status and aid for developing countries. Comparisons are done under the subheads Old Harper and New Harper. As most political observers know, the PM’s stance now is dramatically different compared with his views as a rookie Reform MP in 1993.

Notes the article, Harper came to Ottawa “with an agenda to privatize social services, restrict immigration and end Upper Chamber patronage.” My, what a difference those years on the Hill have made, huh?

The article observed: “How much of that is the natural evolution, or maturity and wisdom or prudence that comes with age,” says Faron Ellis, a Lethbridge College political scientist and author of a book on the Reform party’s history, as opposed to a “political learning curve,” is hard to say.

Which is it: political expediency, a wolf in sheep’s clothing or a savvy prime minister who, after four years on the job, knows how to slalom his way around the pitfalls of power like an old pro?

Discuss amongst yourselves.

•••

In a sort-of-related matter, most homes are being peppered with pre-election Conservative bumph. I took exception to the most recent “No Postage Required” propaganda sheet sent “Compliments of Jason Kenney, MP.”

It’s their prerogative to send this stuff out, I suppose, but what caught my eye was the “Canada’s Economic Action Plan” logo stamped on the front page. To my way of thinking, the action plan is the work of our federal government using our tax money. It’s not the work of the Conservative Party, although some might argue the Conservatives are the federal government.

To get a ruling on this, I phoned MP Frank Valeriote’s office to find out who I call about it? Before I knew it, none other than MP Frank Valeriote was on the line from Ottawa. “It’s not illegal,” he said of the Conservatives taking credit for the Action Plan, “but it is inappropriate.”

I thanked Valeriote for his time, but when I’d hung up I was left wondering why he made the call and not one of his people?

Oh yeah, Parliament has been prorogued. Our MPs have a lot of time to kill, waiting for the Prime Minister to return from wrapping himself in a Canadian flag at the Olympics.