One of the wonders of God's creation is the chameleon. Several species of these lizards share the interesting characteristic of changing from green to brown or other colours, depending on mood, something like the way our faces go red with embarrassment, or like the way a dog's hackles go up when facing an unwelcome intruder. Some species change colour in response to their environment, displaying green among green leaves and brown when on a brown tree trunk. This ruse allows them to sneak up on their prey undetected and to remain unnoticed by their enemies.

In our variegated political environment, we also have several species of political chameleons-those who display a certain set of values in one crowd and another set when addressing a different audience.

Take family values, for instance. Once upon a time, when the family was esteemed by all Canadians as the most important institution of society, these political chameleons reflected the colours of their surroundings, staunchly protecting the institution of marriage between one man and one woman. But that was long ago, way back in 1999. When the media informed them that the environment had changed, they turned a different colour, confident that they would never be noticed against the new background. But that surprised some of their supporters who thought their first position to have been their true position.

Some of the blue, some of the red and all of the orange chameleons seemed somehow to have taken on a tinge of pink. Still, the blue chameleons flash blue every once in a while, especially when surrounded by their many true-blue friends. They assure them that they have not really turned pink…but don't blink! The grant of $400,000 to the Gay Pride Parade sure looked like a change. Some blue chameleons, taking on their bluest hues, said that people had not understood…there was only one mutant variety, nothing had changed. Hopping to a different branch, the same speaker said that he had no problem with the grant…

Then there were the fiscal policies. At one time, not so very long ago, the blue chameleons glistened in their blueness. As Canadians clamoured for fiscal sanity and government thrift, the blue chameleons stood proudly on their blue branches, displaying thrift and no-nonsense policies as eternal values. But when they felt the branches they were on swaying in the breeze of socialism, they became a little bit red, some even went orange. To some observers, the 2007 federal budget, the highest-spending budget in Canadian history, showed a loss of blue colour and a rise of red ink. A series of expensive elections later and a trip to the candy store-for a stimulus package the red and orange chameleons could only dream of-and for a few moments, it seemed that all the chameleons were the same colour! That caused a different problem. While it may feel cozy to be all the same, it makes it difficult for voters to distinguish the different varieties.

Then there are the Greens. This species does not seem to change colour. If you look very closely, it has a red socialist undertone but it appears green on the outside. It stays on its green platform and does not move. It's a small platform but at least it's green. The red, the blue and the orange chameleons noticed that many were flocking to the Greens and as with one accord, they all began to show a green side. Some went to extravagance in this area, becoming "greener than green". Still, wanting to placate past supporters, they return often to their old haunts where they display their original colours and speak soothing words that have long since lost their meaning.

To the casual observer, it seems that many political chameleons have worn themselves out with their flip-flops and multiple disguises. In a final desperate move, many of them have turned yellow.

There is a political party that does not change its colours but stands out from the crowd in every area. It takes a position and defends it. It is easily recognized by its royal burgundy colour and its unwavering defense of truth.