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By his speech yesterday, Harper has demonstrated he doesn't get what happened and what he did - divided the country as no other PM has. He has threatened democracy in Canada as no other leader has.

I respectfully disagree Don. The Triad has been secretly plotting the no-confidence vote and coalition since the last election. Harper just baited them to expose their avaricious plan early and they swallowed it big-time. The conservatives could have shoveled money off a truck (a la Glen Clark) into Ontario and Quebec and it would not have made any difference. This is not about the budget or anything else, it is about attempting to leapfrog the democratic system and form a puppet government.

I don't agree this will divide the country any more than it already is. We are a balkanized country, always have been and always will be. The founding fathers ensured that aspect. But if you want me to pick a divisive PM that would be Pierre; he managed to permanently alienate Quebec by forcing an unsigned constitution and alienated the west for a generation with the NEP. $1.95 is chump change in comparison, and as offensive as this is to you, there are quite a few of us who do not wish to subsidize the pirate party. Otherwise I would hold my nose and accept it.

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Guest rattler

One thing I am certain of, no matter how much we argue, scream and shout, the various political parties will do what they think are best for them. We are only along for the ride until election time and then, if we can clear our eyes, we can bring them to heel. In the meantime, trust not what you read, trust not in your political party but take the time to become informed and then exercise your franchise and vote!

If you can not do that, then so sad, too bad.

but if you continue to think the parties will listen, then the results of todays cbc poll will be of interest.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/12/04/...ll.html?ref=rss

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It's only politics Don,

Then:

Good God folks, let's not set our collective hair on fire. It isn't the end of the world.

Third World?! Have you completely lost your perspective and sensibilities, bean?

All manner of dire predictions almost certainly won't come true - it's politics, after all and not physics and nobody is a specialist.

And now:

QUOTE (Don Hudson @ Dec 4 2008, 08:14 AM)

By his speech yesterday, Harper has demonstrated he doesn't get what happened and what he did - divided the country as no other PM has. He has threatened democracy in Canada as no other leader has.

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From Boomer's post above:

"The "but" in the deal is that proroguing has never been used as a means to prevent Parliament from voting on a matter of confidence, and, given the ample evidence that the PM has lost the confidence of the House, his "guidance" to the GG is tainted by the fact that he is no longer speaking for the nation's interest but instead against that interest as it has been expressed by a majority of our representatives. Preventing the Members of the House from convening in order to prevent a vote of non-confidence from occuring is an incredible breach of the parliamentary process."

An incredible breach of the parliamentary process.

Yes, indeed. The year 2008 now ranks with the year 1926 in Canadian history. Interference in the Canadian political process by the Queen of England through her Representative.

Traditional "ceremonial" visits by Canadian heads of government to Rideau Hall have produced for the most universal part, predictable and even ceremonial results.

This current challenge to the Queen's representative may very well stir up precedent that won't be decided for a decade. For instance, what if the Dion coalition decides to ask the Supreme Court of Canada for a ruling on the Queen-in-right-of-Canada's decision to prorogue Parliament?

I would never stomach such a move but our justice system works in mysterious ways. The Supreme Court of Canada has already overruled many laws placed on the books by our Superior Parliament of Canada - a privilege extended this Bench back in 1982.

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Losers and bigger losers on Parliament Hill: A week in which nobody impressed the public

Posted: December 04, 2008, 5:00 PM by Kelly McParland

Full Comment, Kelly McParland, Canadian politics

Using the term “winner” in the case of this week's disaster on Parliament Hill seems inappropriate, since hardly anyone emerged with increased stature. For some, like Prime Minister Stephen Harper, just surviving was an accomplishment. We should never have been here, though, so emerging in one piece is nothing to brag about. Here's an early attempt at a scorecard nonetheless:

Loser: Stephen Harper

The Prime Minister ends the week greatly diminished. He misread opposition determination to hang onto their party funding welfare cheques, which set the whole mess in motion. When it blew up on him his instincts, as always, were to fight back, quickly making a bad situation worse. Mr. Harper knows how to sound conciliatory when he wants, but often follows it up with a shot to the head when least expected, understandably reducing opponents’ willingness to be sucker-punched twice in a row. His reputation as a tactician is in tatters, and his assault on the Bloc Quebecois may undermine his hopes of wooing more votes out of Quebec when the time comes.

Loser: Stephane Dion

It’s hard to believe Mr. Dion’s reputation could sink any lower, but he seems to have managed it. His most significant political achievement, his authorship of the Clarity Act, will be forever stained by his willingness to abandon his principles and embrace the Bloc in hopes of a lousy six months as prime minister. Outfoxed once again -- if barely -- by Mr. Harper, his humiliation turned to farce with the bumbling Liberal reply to the Prime Minister’s TV address. When you have to ask people for their support while reminding them you'll only be around for six months, you know it's time to hire new strategists.

MIA: Michael Ignatieff

To judge Mr. Ignatieff you’d have to know what he was doing all week, but he appears to have been in hiding. He popped up momentarily to second Mr. Dion as coalition leader, then took cover before the shrapnel started to fly. He may have preserved his chances to succeed Mr. Dion, but as a display of leadership, or courage under fire, it left a lot to be desired.

Coin toss: Bob Rae

Mr. Rae was either foolish enough to support the coalition, or brave enough to stand by his convictions, depending on where you stand. His name appeared on a leaked list of potential Cabinet members in the foreign affairs portfolio, after he reportedly failed in an effort to be given the Industry portfolio. If that was an attempt to keep Jack Layton from the job, he deserves all our thanks.

Winner, sort of: Jack Layton

One thing you have to give Mr. Layton credit for: He never changes. He spouts the same economic claptrap no matter what’s going on around him. His success in achieving the near-impossible, bringing the NDP to the brink of six cabinet posts, would be admirable if it wasn’t so frightening. He also has an ability to say what he thinks, which Mr. Dion lacks. Mr. Layton served his constituency well, which is what he’s there for.

Big Winner: Gilles Duceppe

The Bloc leader is, unfortunately, the biggest winner of the week. The man knows a sucker when he sees one, and he expertly bartered his support for the coalition in return for numerous concessions, with prospects of plenty more to come. He obtained much of the power of government, with none of the responsibility. Despite the failure of the coalition to gain power, he has succeeded in enhancing the stature of the Bloc, strengthening its position in Quebec and giving a boost to the separatist cause.

Losers: All the Liberal MPs who threw their enthusiastic support behind the coalition, insisting it was a great idea, would last forever, would stand up to pressure, and would whip together a rescue package in a matter of days --- only to see it vilified for selling its soul to the Bloc, and come crashing down within hours of being denied its shot at power.

Losers: Canadian voters. We elected these MPs just six weeks ago to provide responsible government and prepare for a failing economy, only to see them erupt in partisan squabbling so childish it gives kindergarten a bad name. Voter turnout in October was 59%, the lowest ever. After this performance it will be a wonder if anyone turns up next time around.

Big Loser: Derek Lee. CBC was desperate to fill air time as they waited for Stephen Harper to finish his chat with Michaelle Jean, so they made the mistake of interviewing Lee, who promptly compared Harper's request to suspend Parliament to the burning of the German Reichstag by the Nazis in 1933. Yeah Derek, they're exactly alike: a party of murderous thugs burning Parliament to the ground is just like the Prime Minister driving to Rideau Hall to request a temporary halt in proceedings while he prepares a budget. How astute of you to spot the similarities.

Winner: Full Comment. This is great for business, folks. Sad as it may be for the country, the mess in Ottawa has been a gold mine for online news sources (like Full Comment, the best political team not including Wolf Blitzer). Canadians were galvanized as they have rarely been, and hungry for regular helpings of news, comment, gossip and open ridicule. Blogs, web sites and other online sources did a roaring business. Don't stop reading the paper, but read Full Comment first.

Kelly McParland

National Post

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