Proposed Coalition Government - 2008-12-01
A coalition government between the Liberals, NDP and Bloc can be the best thing to happen in Canadian politics in years.
It's good for the three parties of course, but it's even better for Canadians. With the exception of a few issues these three parties do represent the views of over 60% of the Canadian population.
Our electoral system which is need of a complete overhaul recently gave the Conservatives a stronger minority government with fewer votes than the previous election which gave them a weaker minority. Canadian's faith in our present system was demonstrated by the record low voter turnout in the recent election. People won't vote if they don't feel their vote will have value or make a difference.
What Canadians want, and need, is a government which will at least try to work together for the benefit of the many rather than the few and represent their views and values internationally as well as domestically. For lack of the ability to do otherwise, a coalition between the opposition parties is our best option.
The coalition of these parties will bring forward the best ideas of all the parties. Compromises will be struck that will modify the more extreme policies while still forwarding the ideals and values of the majority. The NDP and Bloc will have their best opportunity to get their ideas heard and be able to give some direction to the government's actions. The Liberals will have to listen to these other parties and present compromise which works for everyone.
I can actually see this as a positive thing for federalism as the people of Quebec, for the first time in many years, will actually be able to help shape the country and not be the province which can only respond to the government's legislation.
The downside of a coalition government is that the parties won't put aside their partisan ways and turn the coalition into a fiasco. These parties have to make this work or they will suffer the consequences in the next election.
It's time for something different and coalition is our best bet.
Conservative Government Response - 2008-12-01
Everything I've read and heard since last week has mentioned how the Conservatives are going to fight to retain power.
They are back stepping every day on the things they intended to do in an all out effort to stay in power. So basically what they are saying is we are wrong.
Trying to appease the opposition at this point is more about staying in power rather than in power than doing the right thing as they see it.
If they actually believed in what they were doing and thought it was the best thing for the country they would be sticking to their guns and defending their position rather than backing away from it.
All this just shows that what is best for Canada is a secondary consideration to staying in power.
