Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Can someone explain this?

I know there's really only one election in the world this year that anyone cares about, but we are going to have one here in October, too. I'm not a huge fan of the man at the top (though I can't say I hate the reduction in the goods and services tax) so I'm not going to call him by name.

The prime minister decided to call an election because, as he says, the minority government he leads is unable to move forward.

Last year or the year before, the prime minister passed legislation (though non-binding so what the frick is the point) dictating when elections would be held (you know, like in the states where everyone knows when the next election is) so that it wouldn't just be at the whim of a whiny prime minister or an especially sore opposition.

He admits that the most likely outcome is an election that will result in the same kind of minority government.

So why is he doing it? Sounds like a huge waste of money to me.

18 comments:

lattégirl said...

Like he cares about our money?

Lemuel said...

divertimento.

If you cannot do anything, make noise and flap your arms as if you are.

Doug said...

Politics. Its stupidity is self-explaining.

I think I read that your dude wants to have the Canadian election before the US election b/c he's afraid if Obama wins it will sway the Canadian elections further to the liberal side.

Patricia said...

More and more, the arena of politics seems like the world's biggest FUBAR there is.

Polt said...

I'm not an expert on Parlimentary systems, but perhaps he's doing it, even though he knows he'll get a minority govt, in the hopes that HIS party will gain more seats and be a larger part of the minority govt? Therefore, he'd have to cater less to the other smaller parties in the minority govt?

Does that sound about right?

HUGS...

Snooze said...

I dread them getting a majority. I'm with you though - so much money and against his own stupid legislation. Why are they so popular?

John said...

Because he had the polls showing his increasing strength in Quebec where the Bloc are losing support. Harper is going after the same coalition with nationalists that Mulroney had.
He needs about 28 seats to form a majority, and Quebecers, who say they are against everything he stands for, are about to give it to him.

don said...

Because if he holds the election now it will be one of the few election promises that he actually kept.

mare said...

He's also fearing that the economy will tank (after the US economy tanks) and if he's holding elections then the voters will blame him for that.

Rox said...

I don't like his freaky blue wolf eyes...that's what I'm basing my vote on. If he can have HIS weird reasons for calling an election, I can also have my thing too so screw it.

(Oh, and I'll study up on the issues too...)

Anonymous said...

It is indeed a huge waste of money (you forgot to mention that this election call cancelled three by-elections that were supposed to be held yesterday and which cost a few hundred thousand dollars each, and for which absentee ballots and advancd voting had already taken place).

It also displays the guy's fundamental dishonesty completely, since he's complaining that this minority government doesn't work while running on the basis of all the things it has accomplished (let alone totally ditching his own stupid fixed election dates non-law).

I hope to goodness that people will see through this and ditch him and his stupid, backward, bigoted party, but I'm afraid voters generally are not as bright as they should be (US elections 2004, anyone?) and they will give him a bigger minority or even a majority simply because he cut the GST -at what cost, though? No funding for women's organisations (except of course the "Real women" who claim our place is only in the home), arts, legal aid, health care, education...

Jen said...

Rox: I've heard them described as "Karla Holmolka eyes". It's totally true. In some shots you'd swear they were related.

Anonymous said...

Pale blue eyes always tend to make a person look a little insane. That said, I wish I had eyes that colour to make people uncomfortable under my gaze.

Franciscus van Munster said...

Aren't all elections? Does it really, REALLY make a big difference which party wins? Over time, I mean, in the big scheme of things. Aren't they all as bad as each other?

mainja said...

My guess is because the polls say he can win right now, majority or minority. So, if he has the election now he'll be able to stay in office for another 4 years instead of 1 more.

Because, there's no way of telling how well they'd fare in a year.

Also, because he's a wacko. :P

J-o-h-n-n-y said...

Agreed with doug's analysis...

Mel said...

Admittedly, I haven't been keeping up with the political climate in Canadia lately, but I can't imagine that the populace there are particularly in favour of strengthening Mr. H's Bush Lite brand.

Tallguy said...

Well, you gotta admit, it gives him something to do. Must be kinda boring, sitting around with nothing to do but poke your finger in your.... Well, anyway, something to do.