Tuesday, September 15, 2009

On Canadian politics, such as it is

Here is what I just read: If Jack Layton and his party decide to support the Conservative government and not force an election, would that change your opinion of the NDP? Read here: (link)

Here is my issue, (this might be a good time for my non-Canadian readers to hit the Stumble! button, to fix a sandwich, to mosey along, I am talking Canadian politics, something totally devoid of sexy) Layton and the NDP find themselves, once again stuck between a rock and a hard place. Support a Conservative government, one that is at the opposite end of the political spectrum, in order to stave off an election that no one really wants. Or, do what seems natural, not support the minority Conservative government, thus plunging the tired Canadian electorate into another pricey election, one that will lead almost certainly to another minority government, the vicious circle thus repeating.

None of this is his fault. Jack Layton and the NDP are the forever the 3rd or 4th option. The reason for this seemingly endless supply of minority governments has more to do with the lack of leadership and the lack of trust the Canadian electorate have for the big two Canadian parties. The majority of Canadians are left leaning (yes, it's true, settle down my Conservative friends) this makes Harper, and his government as unpopular a government as there has been since the later days of the Mulroney regime. The Liberals (Canada's more natural governing party, there I said it) have never recovered fully from the Sponsorship scandal, but the true reason the Liberals haven't squashed the Conservatives in the last 2 or 3 elections is leadership. Paul Martin was a great finance minister, but he had the personality of a telephone pole. Stephane Dion, come on, again a good policy guy, but he came off as the kid that was stuffed in a locker in middle school. Dion set the Liberal party back years. What a silly mistake his selection as leader proved to be. Have the Liberals got their man this time in Michael Ignatieff? I am unsure. He comes off as a stuffed shirt, smart yes, but so too was Martin, and Dion. Am I making you dizzy? Would you like some Gravol?

It matters not what Jack Layton decides. Canadian politics is in a quagmire,giggity, giggity. If I were him, I would stay the course. Why waste millions of dollars on an election that in the end will amount to the same blessed thing. The Harper Conservatives no matter how unpopular they are with the Canadian masses, have just enough support to win another minority government. It might be time to sit on our hands, let the Canadian political dust settle. As much as I would love to see Harper and his cronies out off office, the timing and the price is not right.

2 comments:

  1. I hate to say it too, but you're right the timing and the price is not right. There's no real pressing issue to bring about an election - it wouldn't be a wise move for Ignatieff if he did force one. (Just saying) :)

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  2. Yep. I am afraid that it would be a waste of anoher 300,000,000 taxpayers dollars. Iggy and the Libs can't beat Harpo and his Cons yet. Why risk (gasp) a potential Tory majority (shudder).

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