I wish I could be convinced, Jordan. I really do. I hate to say it but it was not the CPC that broke my spirit during the 08 Democratic Crisis but my fellow Canadians. However, the NO Prorogation Rallies were a success and they really rejuvenated my faith in grassroots democracy. I’ve said all along that the Liberals won’t get any better polling numbers than a statistical tie going into any election, and that’s what we have now. I’m not worried about polling, I’m worried about the framing of an election. The Libs could be at 40% and an election fought over constitutional conventions and parliamentary institutions wouldn’t be in their best interest – at least not from where I’m sitting.

Don’t get me wrong Jordan, I want to be proved wrong in the worst way. I usually ate the taste of crow, but in this case I’d be willing to eat the whole bird.

Of course this is an issue that OUGHT to be fought over an election, but we’re overestimating the concern of ordinary Canadians for our parliamentary tradition and institutions. We’d be hedging our bets that the simple “democracy card” would work – even though it is clear that everyday-Canadians know very little on the subject nor do they care to learn about it. They’ll question the legitimacy of the motion and this is the angle the Cons will play. The Harper government will lie, cheat, manipulate and flat-out deceive uncommitted voters in order to frame the discussion around national security, the integrity of our troops and other “untouchable” topics and persons.

The Liberals will bring forth constitutional experts and legal scholars to defend their position. They’ll rely on sound reasoning and democratic principles. Harper and his army of Flying Monkey’s will call these people “elitists” and rally those who do not have a university education – and a few that do – to vote against this liberal “intelligentsia” threatening to hijack the country away from REAL Canadians – hockey loving, double-double gulping Joes like Flaherty and Baird.

Some will speak up, many will tune out and we’ll be in no better position than we are now.

Be careful what you wish for.

You just might get it.

Personally I think Steve will look good on the opposition benches.

I don’t think he will find many friends there.

Friday, March 19th, 2010

I say call the CONs bluff, see where it goes and if an election is called “so be it”.

—————

Absolutely. Don’t be afraid, Liberals…go for it!

At some point the Liberals or (horror of horrors for the ultrarightwingnuts) a Lib-NDP coalition will be elected, and it’s most likely in our modern fractured, sectarian political scene to be a minority government (since majorities are very hard to win now). And even when they hold government without even 40% of the population voting for them; when so elected, they can begin to pass legislation that is opposed by the majority in the house, stonewall investigations, withhold information to committees citing ‘national security’, and pretty much thumb their noses at parliament – because that’s the precedent Harper has set for us.

Or they can see the light and support the 400+ years of established limits of power as set within the Westminster-style parliamentary system, and that is the supremacy of parliament. If there is anything left of conservatism in this country, the conservation of our legal and political bodies should be paramount to their beliefs.

Now I ask, are you really conservatives …or are you just a bunch of reckless, firebrand western populists who don’t give one s**t about upholding the laws or traditions of our Westminster parliamentary system, so long as those pesky lefties are kept out of governing. If it is all about the later, then you are all materialistic, despicable, traitors of even worse depths than the Bloc Quebecois. Because at least the Bloc members are, when it comes down to it, responsible democrats; and I can not say the same of your lot.

Indeed the supremacy of parliament is an election issue worth fighting for. And if Harper wants to run from a contempt charge, and into the home of the Governor General to dissolve parliament, and campaign AGAINST the supremacy of parliament …so be it.

The only way to win with this guy is to keep the pressure on and knock off his toupee which I think is his source of strength.