To paraphrase a wise man I know....
Prime Minister Stephen Harper will now go down in history as the man who not only managed to unite the right wing political spectrum in Canada to bring himself to power in two Minority Governments... But now he will also have the credit for managing to unite the left and the centre, as the architect of his own defeat.
The election in October wasn't pointless. True, it accomplished little, giving no party a clear mandate, or any direction other than the need to co-operate to govern this nation. That is the most important thing to note. No party can operate a minority for long, unless they have the cooperation, or at least the failure of the opposition to take a strong position. October showed us that the people of this country were disgruntled with how the government had been operating. I personally had been disgusted with the perpetual abstinence of responsibility that the Federal Liberals had put forth in the intervening time since Mr. Harper was elected.
Now, 40 some days since the election that was overshadowed both by our Neighbours to the South, and the worst economic crisis in many years, our honorable Prime Minister seeks to act in a manner to which he is accustomed. Running his government as if he has a clear mandate, with no regard for the will of better than sixty percent of voters.
A year ago, under the circumstances he was operating, no one would have batted an eye, and the Liberals would likely, and cravenly, have turned their backs on their responsibility to their own voters. I understand that the Liberal party had no hope at the time of managing to win an election, with coffers empty and a leader who didn't resonate beyond many but the few very interested.
Now however, with everyone clamoring for cooperation and responsibility in managing this economic crisis, Mr. Harper can only thank himself for his current predicament. This economic report that he has delivered us shows us his utter disdain for the problems of the nation, and his apparent surprise at the will of parliament to cooperate to end his farcical rule by coalition rather than election, paints a rather striking picture of the situation. Mr. Harper knew that if the opposition toppled his government at this time, and forced another election, he would be likely to gain the majority he so desparately wanted. The Liberals, essentially broke and without a clear leader, and the rest of the opposition jockeying for position. It was a prime, if not ludicrously pretentious, oppourtunity to steal some more seats in the house.
Personally, I was dissappointed in our opposition parties after the most recent election for not realizing that a coalition of the mainstream political views in this country, (Yes, I'm sorry to say folks that tend to be a rather left of centre bunch up North here...) could have been wrought to govern immediately. Ending the rule of the Conservative party was an oppourtunity squandered at that point, and is now left as our best option for a government that will bring us forward through these times.
I want to thank Mr. Dion, Mr. Layton and Mr. Duceppe for their vision and seeing the direction this country needs to proceed. I would like to thank our members of Parliament of all parties for serving their country in this grim time of doubt. Together you all represent Canada.
And I want to thank Prime Minister Stephen Harper for giving us all the incentive to get off our asses and move in the direction we need to.
Also, thanks Dad... for inspiring me to get off my ass....
