Perhaps the most unfortunate part of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's branding those Canadians whose values differ from his, and the use of public resources to denigrate and undermine them, is the failure of Conservative members and ministers to step forward and stand up for Canadian citizens and their democratic rights.

One would hope, and expect, that there would be at least a few MPs and ministers with enough conscience and personal integrity to do so. Their failure is a profound embarrassment to themselves and to all others who chose to enter the political arena - and a serious threat to democracy.

Considering that about 60 per cent of Canadians voted for other parties in the last election, is a cabinet revolt too much to ask for?

David Buchwald

Victoria