On the 2011 Canadian election

Love it, hate it, dismiss it, democracy, in all it’s tattered splendour, has delivered what Canada has asked of it.

Congratulations Mr. Harper. Please go easy on the corporate tax cuts and the military spending; and perhaps in the flush of victory you might reconsider your plan to double the amount spent on new prisons on the one hand, and on the other, the suppression of aid to some of the worlds poorest countries, you know, the ones who have no hope returning the "investment". Nevertheless, JackLaytonaccordiancongratulations, you have been given your desire, please govern well.

Still, other than all the shiny foreheads, there were other bright spots in the election: Elizabeth May won her riding! At the very least, she’ll have a spot at the next leadership debate.

As for the Liberals, it’s your time to retool, use the time well, find a new leader, the Liberal name can regain its currency; liberal is still a most becoming and beautiful word.

As for the Bloc, this defeat should answer the question of whether there’s any will for sovereignty left in Quebec.

Finally, congratulations to Jack Layton, the NDP, and all the old CCF shakers, the movement has taken new root.

5 Comments

  1. I have to agree with Craig here. http://shitharperdid.ca/

    I can’t even remotely begin to be ok with a conservative majority. Here’s to hoping the NDP opposition will be able to prevent the worst atrocities. I know I can’t really hope for better regulation of the oil sands with conservatives in power, but you would hope they would start paying attention what with the recent oil spill! http://tinyurl.com/3dz45uh

  2. My point was that both “liberal” and “conservative” have an honourable history in our cultural lexicon. You really can’t have one without the other. At least, you can’t have a conversation about one without acknowledging the other. And both speak to critical values. “Liberal” and “Conservative”, on the other hand, must both be regarded warily. In the aftermath of the election, I think that Harper was magnanimous in his victory speech, Ignatieff’s decency and humanity is evident in how he has handled his defeat, Layton is rising up to a challenge that he didn’t expect, and even Duceppe has been philosophical about his defeat. Politics continues to be the art of the possible, and no government can afford to get too far away from the sentiments of the electors. But I think that the NDP newbie MPs will provide some entertainment for a little while as they find their political sea-legs.

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