It began just as “Let’s Make a Deal” might have started. But instead of Monty Hall calling on someone from the audience, we had three leaders talking about what was behind Door #1, Door #2, and Door #3.
Instead of referring to doors with numbers, however, Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff referred to the doors as a “red” door or a “blue” door for voters to choose from.
Jack Layton felt left out and suggested that voters choose a new colour this time—orange.
Poor Elizabeth May of the Green Party didn’t even get to request a green door. And Gilles Duceppe, who only travels in Quebec, didn’t request a door since he already must feel he has the door sewn shut with Quebec voters.
I’m sure that in time, we will find out how much each of the doors—red, blue, orange, and green—will cost Canadian taxpayers. The party that ultimately puts together the best shopping cart of goodies probably will win the May 2 election.
Voters caught a glimpse of the Conservative shopping cart in the budget last week, which ended up being dead on arrival as all the three opposition parties found it wanting.
They wanted the government defeated as quickly as possible that they didn’t even put up alternatives or amendments.
We know the NDP will more than double what the Conservatives offered low-income seniors. They also have promised to eliminate the HST on home-heating.
The eco renovation option was returned to help Canadians renovate and reduce energy use in their homes, which also died when the minority Conservative government was toppled in Friday afternoon’s non-confidence vote.
So what might we expect to see and hear? While opposition parties were ready to topple the government at Christmas in 2008 because the Conservatives were not borrowing to stimulate the economy, today they are complaining about the debt run up by the Conservatives over the past two years.
Yet they would much rather see the deficit continue to grow rather that balancing the budget as proposed by the Conservatives.
I am confused.
The big issue now is “who can you believe about coalition governments?” A recent poll indicated Canadians really are troubled by the thought of a coalition of parties getting together to topple the party electing the most representatives.
Yet Bob Rae and David Peterson did exactly that when Frank Miller couldn’t form a government in Ontario back in 1985.
Truth be told, Stephen Harper, Jack Layton, and Gilles Duceppe in 2004 together sent a letter to Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson outlining the constitutional possibilities that could be used should the Martin Liberal government of the time fall.
It included the possibility of asking another party to create a government through a coalition with a second one.
The most recent agreement occurred between Mr. Layton, Mr. Duceppe, and Stéphane Dion to take down the Harper government in 2008. Canadians had gone to the polls on Oct. 14 and had elected a minority government lead by Mr. Harper.
To maintain power, or gain power in a tight race for house seats in Parliament, what leader wouldn’t consider creating a deal with another party to lead the country?
I don’t know. Precedents have been set in Canada.
So much for the kettle accusing the pot about doing something you already have tried.
In fact, every piece of legislation that has been passed in both the Martin Liberal government and the Harper Conservative government required the co-operation of political parties to support the measure.
Why are we, as voters, allowing our politicians to play this silly game? And why are political columnists falling for such silly nonsense?
Are there no real issues in this election?
Featured
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
