Questions to kick off new year

Right off the top of my head, here are a few questions to kick off the New Year.
To the world: How can democracy be the best defence if the leader of a major political party is anointed?
To Canada: Instead of Prime Minister Stephen Harper offering the same words of condolence every time a Canadian solider dies in Afghanistan, why doesn't he stop this sad echo by putting an end to the country's involvement in a war that can't be won?
To Ontario: Did York-Simcoe MP Peter Van Loan impress anyone when he called Premier Dalton McGuinty the "small man" of confederation?
To York Region: How much bang for the buck did York Region taxpayers get when York Region chairperson Bill Fisch and his best buds took a $26,000 junket to Italy last summer?