Look before you leap

It may have been a short performance for former Terra Nova MHA Paul Oram on the Minister of Health and Community Services stage, but it surely will be one that will be remembered in provincial political lore.

Appointed to the health portfolio in July, a mere three months later, Mr. Oram resigned from what no doubt has become the province's most challenging and thankless political position, citing family and health reasons as his basis.

And while three months doesn't seem like a long time, it took only a little more than a third of this time for Mr. Oram to construct his last legacy, beginning with a controversy over whether there were or were not briefing notes prepared for the then-health minister.

However, this was only a minor cut in the armour of a political career that may have been only six years in length, but one that up to that point saw the Glovertown native quietly work behind the scenes as a backbencher from 2003 to his October 2007 appointment to the business post, before sitting on the health hot seat.

Former minister Oram stoked the fire under this seat in late September when he tossed out that tough, strategic decisions will have to be made in the future regarding the province's health care.

Then came government's decision to cut lab and x-ray services in Lewisporte and Flower's Cove, as well as reducing the hours of operation of the Flower's Cove clinic from 24 to 12 - a decision met with major disapproval and protest.

While this is to be expected when any service gets eliminated or cut from a community, it was Mr. Oram's next move that may be one of two items that may stand out in his political career - he rescinded and re-instated the 24-hour service, of which many people said was a political move in response to the resignation of former Transportation minister Trevor Taylor and the upcoming byelection to fill this seat - a sign of weakness, which is not good for a life in politics.

This was like throwing gas onto the fire, giving the opposition and residents an opening to question and challenge Mr. Oram's mere existence.

It also proved too much for Mr. Oram to handle, both from a personal and health perspective, and with the seat glowing red, Mr. Oram made his mind to jump off for cooler surroundings.

However, before he left, the second item his career will be remembered for appeared. The lambasting he gave the media in his departure speech, as well as on a radio open line show, for the role it played in his health problems and the unnecessary pressure it put on his family, will be forever remembered.

While this may be true, everyone has to remember one role of the media is to report on what is happening - good or bad - and ask the tough questions when necessary. Yes, there is a professional way to do this, and it is hoped that all journalists have a solid ethical approach to accomplish such a job, but such is not always the case - just like, not all politicians have the best interests of its constituents in mind all the time.

Politics is a public game, and whether a politician likes it or not, the pressure of such a job does slide downhill to his/her family, friends, business interests, etc.

It's a game those thinking about playing need to look at in depth before deciding to suit up, especially if you move into the players' positions that are the most challenging, i.e. health, finance and premier.

The pressure, whether it be by politicians or family members, felt from the media or the public should not be a reason for a politician quitting, as it is one of those aspects of the job that should be expected and accepted- not used as a way out.

Politics is a tough job on everyone, and by now anyone, in this day and age, entering the political forum should know this.

There's an upcoming byelection, and these are things anyone thinking about putting their name forth might want to keep in mind - politics affects more than the face on the campaign poster, so look before you leap into the game.

Reprinted from The Beacon