January 26, 2009 - who's kidding who?

Pop quiz: do Stephen Harper and his band of merry yes-men (and women) seriously believe that over the next seven weeks the mighty Conservative propaganda machine can undo the sentiment of the majority of Canadians?

I believe that the above sentence is a text book example of a rhetorical question.

After a secretive two and a half hour meeting with Canada's Governor General, Michaëlle Jean earlier today, Harper sought the dissolution of Parliament to buy some time and avoid the inevitable.

The official term is "prorogue".

Prorogue basically means to temporarily shut down the workings of the Parliament. It is a way for the government to hide from its constitutional duty to address Parliament, in this case avoiding a vote which could topple their already tenuous (death) grip on power.

Remember, in Canada, we do not elect a Prime Minister. We elect individual members of Parliament. The group of members (usually aligned to a formal political "party") who have the largest group, traditionally form the government. This gaggle of enlightened individuals is often comprised of former lawyers, car salesmen and zealots from all walks of life. They then choose from among themselves a Prime Minister and other Cabinet Ministers. That “elite” group continues to hold the reins of power until they "lose the confidence of the House". Losing the confidence of the house has usually meant losing a vote in the House of Commons on what is called a "money" bill. So they can lose a vote on the passage of a new law, but not on a budget, for instance. When a government loses a confidence vote, they are expected to resign. Now, when they resign, the Governor General chooses one of several options. These include calling an election, refusing the resignation (sending the government back to work it out like mature and responsible adults), or the Governor General can ask the opposition if they are prepared to form a government. That is what the current "coalition" wants her to do.

It's worth noting that coalition governments are perfectly legal and quite acceptable. Remember, we did not elect a Prime Minister, we elected members. Those members are free to form any alliances or coalitions they choose. That is all that the current coalition is doing; they are forming a fresh grouping that happens to include members of two parties - Liberal and NDP. It's legal, it's traditional, and it's even all quite democratic in the true sense of the word – but in the most basic of ways. Another important point to remember; at this point, the Bloc is not an official member of this alleged coalition.

The coalition, which would have a 24-member cabinet composed of six NDP and 18 Liberal MPs, has vowed to make an economic stimulus package a priority, proposing a multibillion-dollar plan that would include assistance for the auto and forestry sectors. Nothing for the man on the street, Joe the Plumber -- sorry, wrong campaign... wrong country... bad idea.

Harper's rational for this move? "The economy is the priority now, and the public is very frustrated with the situation in Parliament. We're all responsible for that." Harper even went so far as to make this statement in French. Now and only now does he choose to pander to the hard line sovereignists. I always thought that it was impossible to suck and blow at the same time, but Canada’s soon to be deposed leader, appears to have mastered the fine art. Kudos for that, Steve.

As was the mantra during the recent US election campaign, "It's all about the economy, stupid!"

By the way; C-SPAN is fast becoming "Must see TV!"