Some bloggers disagree with my assertion that this election should be considered a waste of time, effort, and money if it results in a parliament that has about as many Conservative MPs as we have now.
If the Conservatives pick up an extra 15-20 seats then this election can be considered a victory for us. If the Conservatives pick up less then that number of additional seats then it has been a bit of a waste of taxpayers money. Note, I didn't say failure.
It has been said that Stephen Harper's hidden agenda is the total destruction of the Liberal Party of Canada and the placement of the Conservative Party of Canada as the natural governing party of Canada. The reality of the situation is that the Government of Canada's coffers should not be used for partisan purposes. If the only purpose of the election was to further drain the Liberal's weakened coffers, and force another leadership race on them then shame on the Prime Minister. This is no better then what the Liberals did to us for years.
300 million dollars is a lot of taxpayers money to spend in order to force the Liberals to spend 18 million they don't have, and to force more leadership debt on their key players.
Of course in reality the situation is much more nuanced then this. First off, we all know the the opposition parties would have forced this election on us anyway, at a time of their choosing, a time where their partisan interests would be served. Heaven forbid that the Liberals would vote based on their principles. Secondly, this election does give the winner a new mandate to pursue their agenda, this alone is very important.
So in the end I accept that we had this election even though I wish the Prime Minister had of kept his word and forced the opposition parties to vote the government down. I know that this election has strategic implications above and beyond getting a new mandate, however I can't help but wonder if our wish of principled and pragmatic conservatism wasn't sullied a little bit by ulterior motives.
In the end I will work hard to re-elect my MP, I will work hard to encourage my friends and family to vote (hopefully Conservative), and I will pray for a Conservative victory.
I know that should the Liberals win, or somehow convince the Governor General to allow a coalition government to be formed, our way of life, our economy, or futures will be put at risk. Our economy, our middle class, deserve all the help and protection we can muster.
Both nation newspapers endorsed Harper, and most of the significant newspapers around the country have endorsed Harper. That alone should tell us that we are on the right track. Thought most have commented on our hyper partisanship.
We are indeed better off with Harper, but we would be better off still with a government that was a little less partisan, and a little more conciliatory. It will help us get our coveted majority.
3 comments:
You said "If the only purpose of the election was to further drain the Liberal's weakened coffers, and force another leadership race on them then shame on the Prime Minister."
No!!!! You are wrong. If we have another minority government regardless of the reasons the PM pulled the plug, it is the fault of the Canadian voters because if they don't have the courage to make intelligent choices then they have only themselves to blame. Harper has dealt with ongoing BS in a dysfunctional parliament, has moved to the center as far as realistically can without crossing the line so had to call an election.
His platform is modest, sensible and straightforward. If Conservatives can't get a majority with Harper we won't get one with anyone else in Canada. Canada is becoming a country of people who believe they are entitled, they are yuppie greenies I see them in the Beach (Toronto) all the time and Socialists. Canada is no longer the country I grew up in and it's going to hell in a handbasket.
There is definitely a Culture war going on here and I don't like where it may end up.
I'm going to repeat one more time a minority will only be the result of having too many parties and not enough courage from voters. Put the blame on the electorate where it belongs.
1. Who could have known the outcome of the election before it started. It sure is easy to call something a waste of time AFTER the fact.
2. The Liberals would have pulled the plug in another couple of weeks anyway.
The opposition parties poisoned Parliament by not allowing any of the witnesses that the Conservatives chose to appear before committees. The Liberals were only trying to dig up stupid scandals instead of working for the country.
Parliament was not working. And I have to say if Dion stays as opposition leader, I hope he tones down his language because his insults of Harper will make question period intolerable again.
Post a Comment