Realism 101

If you asked me to describe myself politically, I would have to say I'm simply a realist. As a political species, we realists are hard to find and are few and far between. Realism for me, means that I have sworn to call a spade a spade --> untill the day I die, even if it means I have to admit I was wrong. For my generation, this is known as "Keeping it Real." It is by no mistake that this blog goes by that very name.

Now here is exactly where I get to "Keep it real." Harper will win a majority in the next federal election. I want to be on thee record as having made that statement as both a realist and a liberal. My reasons for predicting a majority government for the conservative party is not so much due to good government or crafty and innovative policy implementation as it is due to a complete lack of opposition. Never have I witnessed such a flacid and impotent government in my life time. Absolutly no mention of health care in the speech from the throne; absolutly no advancment of the equalization file. What else? Lets see...their promise of elected senators still hasn't happened yet. Even Harper's promise of honest government has been proven to be nothing but rhetoric. No matter what bill a Prime Minister may table in the house to battle corruption, he can never guarantee that he will have a credible opposition party two sword lengths directly across from him in the house of commons. A strong and united opposition to the government is the only real protection Canadians can ever hope to count on from the abuses of corruption in the government. That is after all the very essence of democracy. There is no doubt in my mind that a lack of opposition is why Mr. Harper enjoys the fruits of governing this great land, and I draw no distinction between the advantage Mr. Harper enjoys now, and those that the Chretien government benefited from during their tenure. After all, it led the liberals to three straight majority governments. Harper was definatly taking notes every time Chretien spanked another one of his opposition parties.

But this blog is not about Harper. It is about why I have to refer to him as the "Right Honourable" Mr. Harper - Stephan Dion. Thus far, Harper has only been successful in: settling, not winning Canada's softwood lumber dispute (only %80 of the illegal levee's imposed by the U.S. were returned to Canada); bringing back the same sex marriage bill to the house of commons to re-vote on the issue (passing by a far greater majority the second time); and of course, his measly little %2 cut to the GST. By the way, it seems to me that %2 of the GST would go a long way to help solving the health care crisis in this country. But you just keep on believing them when they tell you that health care needs to be privatized. There has been no decisive action taken, and no direction in particular that Canada is being led. What is most crucial in these times of dire straights for the liberal party is to unite.

Stephan Dion's personal staff are running away from him like he has the flesh eating disease. The caucus is fractured and members are forming various alliances behind the curtains. This is evidence of a leader who has failed to rally his troops and is scared to engage in battle. A strong leader (I suggest John Manley or Gerard Kennedy) is what's badly needed right now for my party. Only then will the recently departed experience and wisdom return to the party, as did many Mulroney Conservatives for Mr. Harper. Everything else is easy. The Kelowna accord is BETTER than what we're getting now. The Health Care Accord is BETTER than what we're getting now. The Off Shore oil deal that was made under the Prime Minister Paul Martin was publicly praised by Premier Danny Williams and squashed this issue 2 years ago and is better than what we are getting now. THE ISSUES HAVEN'T CHANGED. This is evidence of an idle government. I believe our liberal values resonate more with Canadians. Crime prevention is BETTER than crime and punishment. Public health care is BETTER than private health care. Public child care is BETTER than getting $100 of your own money per month and still not having any day care providers. Income tax cuts are BETTER than GST cuts; peace keeping would be a BETTER way to serve the people in Aftghanistan than the current combat mission. And finally, strong laws to combat global warming is BETTER than doing next to nothing and calling it the "Clean Air Act."

If this blog sounded like a rant to you, then good. That is exactly what it was. The conservatives are begging to be toppled. This Country was strongly united just a few short years ago. Just for now, until we have a stronger liberal leader to unite the party and the country, I think I'll take some Jack Layton. Anyone else?