The more I think about it, the more I think the Liberals would be making a dreadful error if they carried out their constitutional "coup."
I mean think about it.
* Do they really want Stephane Dion to be the guy leading the government at this time of fiscal crisis?
* Do they really want to be part of a government where the NDP will be calling the shots on fiscal policy?
* Do they think Canadians will really warm to the idea of an unelected government usurping control of the country?
* Do they really want to make some sort of deal with the separatists?
Maybe that's why Prime Minister Harper delayed the non-confidence vote for a week. He wants to give the Liberals time to think this through.
I agree. This looks like the sort of political scheming that Canadians hate -- the take-down of an elected government just 6 weeks into its mandate.
ReplyDeleteThat said, the Harper Tories are making significant mistakes in their handling of the biggest economic crisis in decades. They tell us a stimulus package is needed but want to wait. They've taken tax cuts completely off the table at a time when you could argue for this on economic (as well as libertarian) grounds. They play political games instead of looking above partisan debates.
I also agree. I seriously doubt that the GG is going to accept a coalition that needs three parties to surpass the current government; one of which, the Bloc, would only be offering occasional support on a case-by-case basis. That is not a working coalition, and the Liberals and the NDP can’t do it without the Bloc. They just don’t have the numbers without them to pull it off. But they know that so they need the Bloc.
ReplyDeleteThe only other alternative is for the Bloc to become a full fledged member of a working coalition. And what are the chances of THAT happening? Seperatist Bloc cabinet ministers in a federal government? How could the Liberals/NDP even contemplate that? They won’t, unless their principles have become that seriously compromised. And if they do, the backlash when such a fragile entity is defeated would be politically catastrophic for all the parties involved. And even if the Bloc stick to their “principles” and refuse cabinet positions, what concessions will they demand for their support?
The Liberals and the NDP have seriously over-reached here. Harper has given them a week reprieve. If this “coalition” still insists on carrying forward, they are going to make the political conflagration that happened to the PC government in 1993 look like a lit match in the inevitable aftermath of a subsequent election.
Harper is finished. If not on Dec 8, then not much longer after that. He knows it. Mackay knows it. Prentice knows it. And, of course, Flaherty knows it.
ReplyDeleteHarper has completely lost control of the situation which is surprising to everyone (Conservatives, Liberals, NDP etc)considering the strong position with which he started. It is unfortunate that Harper was not up to the task. He really screwed up in poisoning his relations with the other parties.
ReplyDeleteDelivering a stimulus package will appeal to the voters that support the Liberals NDP and Bloc. And economically its the right thing to do.
Why did Harper not try to compromise to get at least some of what he wanted?
If it's such a dreadful mistake then why are you cons wetting your pants.
ReplyDeleteWe could be witnessing the birth of a two party system here. I hope the moonbats do not outnumber us.
ReplyDeleteBravo CPC.
Donation incoming.
Well the CBC is throwing in their hat in the ring for sure. They are onboard 100% for the Bloq/Lib/NDP coalition of the unlected. Hopefully Canadians reject this crap resoundingly.
ReplyDelete"Harper is finished. If not on Dec 8, then not much longer after that. He knows it. Mackay knows it. Prentice knows it. And, of course, Flaherty knows it."
ReplyDeleteAnd then you woke up. You wish pal...Dion with a dismal 13% approval rating? What a joke.
Nice to see Connie talking points being floated here....
ReplyDeleteSo far the Liberals have been much better at managing the economy and have not blown it like Flaherty.... (or Harper for that matter)
How do you know that the NDP will call the shots on fiscal policy - rumormonging.... And it can't be worse than the present morons calling the shots
To you mean a coalition that has more combined votes than Harper?
Were the separatists not democratically elected?
Harper is only delaying in trying to find some exception to the rules (he's rather good at bending the rules).
And, I'm quite sure that Harper will try to divide and conquer using the NDP....
Wow, when Joanne (True Blue) is saying that Harper is not smelling like a rose, then you know Harper is really finished.
ReplyDeleteNo one can tell me how this is Harper's fault. If he had upped all our taxes, we would all be complaining that they needed to cut at the top. He started by cutting the Government's expenses and we are still all complaining.
ReplyDeleteWell , for all those of you who are dumping on PM Harper , what would your solution be ... ah yes ... give the Canadian branch of the US auto industry a bailout. Hmm ... how much to give them ... the combined total debt of the Big 3 is roughly equal to the total federal Canadian debt of $650+ Billion ... so Canada could double the debt in one felled swoop !
ReplyDeleteThere is no savings and loan crisis in Canada , but Canadians could contribute even more money to the banks in some form of grants over and above the $300 Billion loan guarantees they already have acquired!
There IS a credit crunch created by the banks , but that has been brought on by the stupid and corrupt lending practices of banks , primarily in the US and Europe , with Canadian banks small players in the mess.
So ... you don't like PM Harper's plan ... again what is your solution ?
Oh ... yes ... a coalition with the BQ who get 86% of the funding from Canadian taxpayers and who wish to break up the country !!!!
If you really wish to precipitate a financial and constitutional crisis , this is the way to do it !
Finally ... I think the Liberal party is committing suicide if they pursue this madness.
* Do they think Canadians will really warm to the idea of an unelected government usurping control of the country?
ReplyDeleteYou are confused. We don't elect governments in this country, we elect parliaments.
Canadians know the score. The Harper government has a minority of the popular vote and a minority of the seats in the Commons. Tell me again how a coalition representing a majority of seats and a majority of popular vote is not legitimate?
ReplyDeleteTo all your queries ...
ReplyDeletethe answer is YES
(it sure beats leaving Herbert Hoover in power during, like, the worst crisis in like, forever.)
From Red Tory:
ReplyDeleteTo all of those Tory supporters fuming with outrage at the possible “overthrow” of Harper’s minority government in an “undemocratic coup” and who are especially aggrieved at the thought of the Bloc’s participation in a progressive coalition government, please read the following letter from your Dear Leader to then Governor General Adrienne Clarkson dated September 9, 2004:
As leaders of the opposition parties, we are well aware that, given the Liberal minority government, you could be asked by the Prime Minister to dissolve the 38th Parliament at any time should the House of Commons fail to support some part of the government’s program. We respectfully point out that the opposition parties, who together constitute a majority in the House, have been in close consultation. We believe that, should a request for dissolution arise this should give you cause, as constitutional practice has determined, to consult the opposition leaders and consider all of your options before exercising your constitutional authority. Your attention to this matter is appreciated.
That letter was signed by all three opposition leaders: Gilles Duceppe, Jack Layton and Stephen Harper.
----
I wonder if you have the balls to publish this Gerry....