Doin' The Coalition Rant
The reaction in the face of a looming coalition government has put me on the rant path.
Rant The First
Over the past several days, I've heard and seen the words "undemocratic", "unconstitutional" and "coup" bandied about with vigor. NO, IT ISN'T! People aren't obligated to like the idea of a coalition. And if I actually liked our prime minister, I might be pissed off too. But just because you don't like something, THAT DOESN'T MAKE IT A COUP!!!
In today's Ottawa Citizen, one woman wrote in to say that she and her husband were deeply concerned. That they had always believed that Canada was a country where every vote counted and democracy still meant something. It's representative of the type of griping that's been happening around here, all week.
Well, you know what, lady? You're right. *Every* vote counts, which is why in the case of a minority government, the other parties can, as a collective, band together to stop the ruling party if that's what they deem fit.
And democracy? Yes, we have it. It's called THE PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM! We vote for members of parliament in a democratic election. Yes, this is an extreme, rarely seen situation. But it's legal and it's sanctioned! I'm sorry that some people have their noses out of joint, but you know what, this is CANADA and this is the system we've always had. I'm sorry that some people don't know how our government operates, but put on your grown up pants and get over it!
Rant the Second
What was with Harper's address? Who the hell was he talking to? Why the appeal to the public? We can't do anything! This is in the Governor General's hands. Hey, Harper! STOP PANDERING! NOT EVERYTHING IS THE ELECTION!
Maybe he's in withdrawl?
BTW, Harper, howacome in 2008 The Bloc are evil, amoral seperatists, but in 2004 you were more than willing to get into bed with them?
Final Aside
Oh, Stèphan Dion. I truly believe you are the lesser of two evils. But I'd feel better about all of this if just once you didn't sound the wimpiest geek on the playground.
Rant The First
Over the past several days, I've heard and seen the words "undemocratic", "unconstitutional" and "coup" bandied about with vigor. NO, IT ISN'T! People aren't obligated to like the idea of a coalition. And if I actually liked our prime minister, I might be pissed off too. But just because you don't like something, THAT DOESN'T MAKE IT A COUP!!!
In today's Ottawa Citizen, one woman wrote in to say that she and her husband were deeply concerned. That they had always believed that Canada was a country where every vote counted and democracy still meant something. It's representative of the type of griping that's been happening around here, all week.
Well, you know what, lady? You're right. *Every* vote counts, which is why in the case of a minority government, the other parties can, as a collective, band together to stop the ruling party if that's what they deem fit.
And democracy? Yes, we have it. It's called THE PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM! We vote for members of parliament in a democratic election. Yes, this is an extreme, rarely seen situation. But it's legal and it's sanctioned! I'm sorry that some people have their noses out of joint, but you know what, this is CANADA and this is the system we've always had. I'm sorry that some people don't know how our government operates, but put on your grown up pants and get over it!
Rant the Second
What was with Harper's address? Who the hell was he talking to? Why the appeal to the public? We can't do anything! This is in the Governor General's hands. Hey, Harper! STOP PANDERING! NOT EVERYTHING IS THE ELECTION!
Maybe he's in withdrawl?
BTW, Harper, howacome in 2008 The Bloc are evil, amoral seperatists, but in 2004 you were more than willing to get into bed with them?
Final Aside
Oh, Stèphan Dion. I truly believe you are the lesser of two evils. But I'd feel better about all of this if just once you didn't sound the wimpiest geek on the playground.