You know I appreciated last night's election results. Especially as it happened on my birthday. A nicer gift indeed than when the war in Iraq started on my wife's birthday.
But as much as I've been enjoying the inevitable southward turn of Republican fortunes, I have been far more entertained by the local events up here to your north lately.
Canadian politics, you see, are getting pretty funny in a manner that simply doesn't occur down there because of the nature of our parliamentary system. And what we have is a Liberal minority government standing at the edge of the electoral cliff egging on the surrounding oppositions to give them a push,
"Go ahead - knock us down! C'mon you wusses - either stand up for what you are saying are your principles - or shut the hell up!"
Meanwhile, their opposition whine and beat their chests while refusing to do so. No-one is willing to step up and give the first firm shove.
At issue?
Timing. It really is everything.
The NDP (our most left leaning party) thought that by supporting the Liberals they would have leverage to get the concessions on heath care that they want. So they stood with the Liberals against the last attempt to topple the government by the Conservatives.
Conservative leader Harper lost that motion, and was soundly bitchslapped with the label of "incompetent boob" for it. Because as court politics have long held as a truism : you don't stab the King in the back without killing him and get to go unpunished for the attempt.
So, in modern terms, if you don't have the votes - DON'T try!
And the Liberals have promised to call a full election in February after the release of the full Gomery inquiry report. This gives them something fun for now: virtual immunity.
Harper can't afford politically to try and fail again, so he will not call for a confidence motion. Instead he's telling everyone "you push first and I'll help, but I won't make the first move." He can't make the move because the Libs could then kiss up to the NDP, win back their support, and leave Stephen twisting in the wind for a second time.
The Bloq know that without there being an issue on the table that Quebecers object to to go to war over that being the cause of the downfall of the government gets them labelled even mroe as petty obstructionists, and pisses off their people by making them go through an electoral cycle of Christmas. So there is no benefit for them. But they'll be happy to help push too. After the fact.
The NDP? They don't want to be the cause of a December election either as they can least afford to lose any votes to backlash, and besides that they have a vested interest in the outcomes of the first ministers meetings on aboriginal issues in late November. So they are waffling on being the ones to push first. Layton also acknowledges that there are several important bits of legislation on social and environmental issues that would get scuttled if the government fails. Issues that he rallied the troops to support.
Which leaves the Liberals in a hilarious position. Normally a mionority leader is running around making deals to get votes to get things done.
Martin?
He's got a three month window to push through various bills that appeal to various people while also getting to poke the other leaders repeatedly in the eyes - daring them to make a move. Which the other leaders can't do without pissing off the voters.
The end result?
The NDP and Alliance look completely unwilling to stand up for their principles.
"We hate you corrupt evil Liberals! We're gonna nail your asses to the wall. We're gonna bitch-slap you in the next election. Your asses are grasses and we're the lawnmowers because we have all the right answers!"
"Really? Go ahead. Force the election. You have the ability. We're ready and willing to put it before the people."
(insert a round of "you first. No you first. No, after you!" between the various opposition parties before they rejoin with:)
"Yeah, well, we would. But we won't. Because, you see... it's like this. You're evil! But we're gonna sit back and let you be evil for a little while longer.... it's Christmas you know...."
"Oh. Well here's a thought. Either topple us or shut the fuck up. Chickenshits."
"Uhhh.... it's OK. You can keep going for now. But we're gonna remind everyone about your supreme evil-icitude in February!"
"Yeah. Whatever......"
Political high comedy.
I know, I know - this is a US site and our politics are from another planet. Still, I thought a look at how the other side lives might amuse you....especially when the progressives are on top :)