Saturday, October 04, 2008
So ... how about that upcoming Canadian election? No, not that one ... the one right after that.
I mean, of course, the one that Stephen the Corpulent will call immediately after being returned to power with a minority government. What, you had no idea? Pshaw ... let me explain.
We have, naturally, been subjected to the most loathsome, weaselly logic emanating from the nether regions of one Stephen Harper and his adoring Stepford-bots, explaining that this imminent election was absolutely necessary, what with the precariousness of a minority government, and the need for "certainty" on the part of the Canadian electorate, and the fact that Parliament had "lost confidence" in the lying, festering sack of pus that is Stephen Harper and on and on and ... well, you get the idea. But say we have an election, and nothing much changes. Then what?
Then, I will assume that Stephen the Bloviating, wielding exactly the same logic and analysis as before, will -- even before bums are back in seats in Ottawa -- be oozing across the street to Rideau Hall, asking the G-G for another election. After all, why wouldn't he?
Nothing would have changed. His government would still be a minority, it would still be as precariously fragile, and the contempt for him held by members of the Opposition would be at least as palpable. So, under those circumstances, one would have to conclude that we might as well not even make ourselves comfortable since we should expect to be trudging back to the polls in a couple of months, yes?
But wait, you say! That's ridiculous, no one would inflict that on Canadians. And why not, I ask? If one takes Harper seriously that the current set of circumstances left him no choice but to dissolve Parliament and go to the polls, then the same set of circumstances should demand no less. Again. And again. And again.
And if it doesn't, then Harper should have to answer for, if the election doesn't really change the political dynamic, why he doesn't see the pressing need for another election. Because if that "logic" allegedly worked once, then it would be interesting to hear why it suddenly wasn't so compelling an argument the second time under identical circumstances. And why he wasted everyone's time and money in the first place.
And if I was the Canadian mainstream media, that's a question I'd be tempted to ask. Sadly, I am not the Canadian mainstream media. I have balls.
Yup, there they are.
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10 comments:
If it's a minority I think he'll just have to bite the bullet. President Harper is nothing if not self-interested and it would not be in his interests to call another election. Plus with the vote split he is likely to get his majority.
I think that Layton and Dion will collectively say "fuck this" and form a coalition.
Or maybe I'm just delusional.
That would be great. Not sure if it's possible. But I wouldn't bank on it.
Enh. If they want to win, the Liberals should just take whatever Harper offers the middle class and double it.
The media is beyond useless. The publishers are manipulative, lying sacks of shit.
Winnipeg Free Press is creaming itself over how wonderful Harper was during the debate. This rag has some kind of "insiders" schtick going were they are constantly polled for their opinions, which are consistently pro-Harper. Of the readers' comments on the debate, 9 are pro-Harper and only one called him useless and shallow.
I still have faith in Canadians by and large not being completely fooled by Harper's blue sweater image. However, the CONS really did an effective job in emasculating Dion and creating the illusion that he is completely inept with the help of the media.
And whether Layton realizes it or not (or even freaking cares), that majority of Canadians like a caretaker government that balances budgets, don't raise taxes, and don't rock the boat too much with respect to public services they appreciate. That's the reality -- most Canadians consider themselves socially progressive but small "c" fiscally conservative.
Those convinced of the smear campaign on Dion are not going to rush to vote for Layton. That's exactly what Harper is counting on. The NDP might gain some soft red Liberals but they'll be duking it out with the greens to get those votes.
More conservative Liberals will go with Harper, convinced that Conservatives are fiscally prudent and tax cut friendly (again thanks to the media). Some may even hold their noses doing so, recognizing that he is too conservative on social issues and too closely aligned to the US.
What astounds me is how absolutely useless the NDP and Liberal strategists have been. Duceppe wasn't afraid to go into aggressive attack mode on Harper's ass from the get go and it's working for him.
Dion's group deceived themselves into thinking that they could campaign on policy. Good luck with that when Harper set the stage for it being a content free election.
As for Layton's claims about only focusing on Harper in this election, what arrogant bullshit. What strategist decided that the "kitchen table vs corporate table" was considered a blow against Harper? You have got be f*cking kidding. Most Canadians don't care if their government is friendly to corporations if it means a stimulated economy and jobs. Sure when you bail out banks with billions when the economy is in a tail spin, then public perception of corporate support becomes extremely jaundiced. But Harper called the election before the economy could fully tank under his guard. And what the hell does a "new kind of strong" mean to anyone? Did the strategist really think some kind of Obama rama love fest was going to happen and Canadians would be swept into believing Layton should be President of Canada?
I will vote for a candidate who I dislike immensely because he has a the best chance of defeating a CONSERVATIVE. But the temptation to officially reject my ballot because I am so disgusted with the three main parties is great.
beijing is wise. still tempted to destroy my ballot.
What is it about offering cash bribes to the electorate (with their own money, of course) that only New Conservatives seem to understand?
I've lived in the suburbs. People are that stupid. I think it might be all the lawn pesticides.
I'm doing ABC (anyone but conservative). I can't afford a Conservative government. We had one here in Ontario for eight years that nearly killed us. Now some of the same guys have moved up to positions with the Feds. So I'm saying "no way, now how, no Harper."
It's the least I can do, really.
G&M Sept 23
"Most public opinion polls taken in the months leading up to this federal election campaign suggested that another minority government for Stephen Harper's Conservatives was very likely. Mr. Harper was well aware of this, when he asked Governor-General Michaëlle Jean to dissolve Parliament; indeed he predicted another minority on the campaign's first day. Now, however, he is acting as though he would in effect refuse to accept that result.
For the second time in two days, Mr. Harper announced yesterday that his party would reintroduce anti-crime legislation that the previous Parliament did not pass – and that, if the opposition stood in the way, he would be ready to force another election over it. His aides indicated that the bills would be put to the opposition as take-it-or-leave-it propositions."
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