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Conservative Majority Government. !$%@!. They were bad enough when the other parties had some ability to hold them accountable, now it looks like 4 grim years ahead. While it was nice to see Layton's star rise, and the collapse of the Bloc Quebecois, and even the green party finally winning a seat, I'm not sure it's worth it. I mean, Harper barely listened to the other parties when there was a risk they might vote down one of his proposals. How much power does an opposition party have to rein in a majority government, anyway? (I'm actually asking, I mean, I know there are certain rules like filibuster that can happen in the US system, if the opposition is passionate enough, but but I don't really know how much wiggle room is possible in Canada... if Harper goes all bugnuts and decides to enact the worst of our fears, what's the best we can hope for?)
As for the Liberals, it's a pretty dark day... I haven't seen an official analysis of whether the conservatives got a majority officially due to left-vote-splitting in Ontario as I feared, but I wouldn't be surprised. I'd have rather people vote more strategically and the Liberals picked up, say, another 15 seats at Harper's expense. Then we would have had a government that was interesting. Liberal leader Ignatiaf lost his own seat, and, well, I had more sympathy for you before you started trying to say the NDP "wasn't ready to govern". How incredibly condescending of you. Acting like you're the only alternative choice when clearly people are choosing against you doesn't do you any favors.
People have talked about the leftish parties uniting, and I'm of mixed feelings of that, because it would certainly make it easier for them to win (if you add up the votes of the NDP and Liberals they comfortably outpace the Conservative vote... not that Harper will care, he'll act like has a mandate from Canadians for everything he does), but I like having a more-than-two-party system. What I want instead is another party on the right to divide their vote and make it more even. Or, even better (but I suspect less likely), a system where your vote still counts even if you're a riding that's particularly one way or another. No wonder voter turnout's so low, when you can be in a situation where one party can win even if the vast majority vehemently oppose them, they just differ on slight details on how they oppose them. If you have 40% of the votes, you should have about 40% of the seats. I'd be fine (well, more fine) with the conservatives leading if they had the other 60% providing a check on their power.
I suppose if there's any silver lining, at least all the annoying attack ads will be over (then again, considering the conservatives ran them non-stop even BEFORE an election was called, I wouldn't be surprised if anti-Layton ads start up within the week). I'm disappointed in Canada's decision right now though, and worried about its future more than I've been in a while.
Anyway, Mr. Harper, if you're reading this (I know, odds are miniscule)... here's your chance. I know political issues get vitriolic and miss the human issues involved. So prove us wrong. Be a consensus-builder. Don't give in to big business interests (or the US). I've heard you're actually for electoral reform, so get on that and do some good for everybody before you get down to work pushing your own side's agenda.
As for the Liberals, it's a pretty dark day... I haven't seen an official analysis of whether the conservatives got a majority officially due to left-vote-splitting in Ontario as I feared, but I wouldn't be surprised. I'd have rather people vote more strategically and the Liberals picked up, say, another 15 seats at Harper's expense. Then we would have had a government that was interesting. Liberal leader Ignatiaf lost his own seat, and, well, I had more sympathy for you before you started trying to say the NDP "wasn't ready to govern". How incredibly condescending of you. Acting like you're the only alternative choice when clearly people are choosing against you doesn't do you any favors.
People have talked about the leftish parties uniting, and I'm of mixed feelings of that, because it would certainly make it easier for them to win (if you add up the votes of the NDP and Liberals they comfortably outpace the Conservative vote... not that Harper will care, he'll act like has a mandate from Canadians for everything he does), but I like having a more-than-two-party system. What I want instead is another party on the right to divide their vote and make it more even. Or, even better (but I suspect less likely), a system where your vote still counts even if you're a riding that's particularly one way or another. No wonder voter turnout's so low, when you can be in a situation where one party can win even if the vast majority vehemently oppose them, they just differ on slight details on how they oppose them. If you have 40% of the votes, you should have about 40% of the seats. I'd be fine (well, more fine) with the conservatives leading if they had the other 60% providing a check on their power.
I suppose if there's any silver lining, at least all the annoying attack ads will be over (then again, considering the conservatives ran them non-stop even BEFORE an election was called, I wouldn't be surprised if anti-Layton ads start up within the week). I'm disappointed in Canada's decision right now though, and worried about its future more than I've been in a while.
Anyway, Mr. Harper, if you're reading this (I know, odds are miniscule)... here's your chance. I know political issues get vitriolic and miss the human issues involved. So prove us wrong. Be a consensus-builder. Don't give in to big business interests (or the US). I've heard you're actually for electoral reform, so get on that and do some good for everybody before you get down to work pushing your own side's agenda.
