Iggy Not Only Needs to Take Risks: He Needs to Play the Hero

Well, it seems that Stevie and Iggy are listening to their advisors and image consultants by actually letting loose and getting more contact with the Canadian voters. Granted, their actions as of late are nothing more than photo-ops to make them seem more human.


Stevie lip synchs and plays a mechanical piano and jams with Yo Yo Ma and spent Sunday, the day before Thanksgiving playing cribbage with residents of a seniors' home in his riding of Calgary (where else would he be? Quebec??). Hell, Thanksgiving even made ol' Stevie say something charitable: 
"He suggested volunteering to serve meals, donating to a food bank or visiting with people who might otherwise spend the holiday alone." 


Yikes! Even Maclean's is also feeling charitable: I'm surprised they would even publish such a thing. Or maybe, they all got their hands on some ganja.


Iggy and his wife outdo ol' Stevie and go slumming at a soup kitchen in Ottawa. Like Stevie, his motives were probably not that altruistic neither.  Something to help him debunk the myths that he is too high on his pedestal; not in touch with ordinary Canadians. That said, I have to hand it him: ol' Stevie would never be caught dead on the wrong side of town. Iggy at least showed that he was not afraid to spend Thanksgiving with the downtrodden and disenfranchised. I honestly hope to see him having more community involvement.


However, if Iggy really wants to play the hero, there's a very easy way for him to do so. I have said this before in my posting, Harper: Time to Fess Up..... I urge you to read this posting if you  haven't already. It proves how much ol' Stevie hates our health care system and therefore won't stand up to the U.S. and help debunk some myths. There are also plenty of links to where those quotes came from. It also serves as a warning. Iggy can score big points if he comes up with a real plan to help improve our existing health care system and protect it from any further privatization.


Our universal health care system is at risk. Do not be fooled. Shona Holmes with the help of CCF, is trying to dismantle it; she has never made a secret of envying the U.S. health care system, neither has John Carpay, the executive director of CCF. He is also a former member of Reform; Stevie's old party.


There is a law suit before arbitrators at NAFTA brought forth in the summer of 2008. Alison of The Galloping Beaver wrote about the Melvin J Howard and Centurion v The Government of Canada last year. In short, Howard wanted to build a private for profit super hospital in B.C. in 2003. B.C. basically said no, due to (very weak) protections of our universal health care. Except, in recent years, more and more private for profit facilities are popping up across Canada and as Canada flirts with two-tiered health care, Howard claims that in preventing him from building his super hospital, we were infringing on Chapter 11 of NAFTA. Read The Galloping Beaver posting for more details.


The last three presidents, including the present one, of the Canadian Medical Association are fighting for privatized health care. They claim we can't do anything about our universal health care. What B.S.! They're viewing the aging baby boomer population as a potential cash cow.


I have only illustrated a few threats to our health care system. Of course, there are conservative nay-sayers who are going to use the health care scandals in Ontario to lobby for privatized health care.


As I mentioned in  Harper: Time to Fess Up...., one thing most Canadians, be they on the left, Center and yes, the right; agree on is the need to keep universal health care; that health care is something every human should have access to. A system which bases its' priorities on urgency and not socio-economic class or pre-existing condition like in the U.S.


All this to say that Iggy could score those big points if he fights for our health care; even speak up for it state side. Attempt to improve upon it without more private for profit services than there already are. 


More importantly, when debating ol' Stevie, corner him into admitting what he really thinks about our health care system. Remind him of his good ol' days of Reform, as Pres of National Citizens' Coalition and in Canadian Alliance Party.


C'mon Iggy, are you game?

What a Harpercon Majority Would Look Like

"Sometimes I console myself with an idea", a quote from Elaine Stritch's character in the movie, Autumn in New York. 
Between reading the latest Harpercon numbers & folks just not listening...I felt too discouraged to write this evening. So, I consoled myself with an idea for some more Harper cartoons. 

Here's what happens when power will get to Stevie's head: 

How would Stevie look after a majority??

Any Questions??

Iggy Sinking the Ship: Harpercons Winning Without Much Effort: What are Canadians willing to Sacrifice to Avoid going to Polls?

Let's revisit a question I asked in Canadian Political Parties-One Unhappy Disfunctional Family shall we?

"Harpercons are poised to  gain a majority government if an election were held today. What's funnier is I'm not really sure why. Is it because Canadians are really becoming more Libertarian; more attracted to the GOP way of life? Or is it because the Liberals are soooo disfunctional with an unsuitable leader?  Or perhaps whiny Canadian voters are just soooo tired of going to the polls that they would jump in with both feet first & vote Harpercons in because they have the best shot at a majority, which is something most Canadians seem to want; nothing to do with what Harpercons would do or not do"

I also invite you to answer the poll question on the side bar. I, for one, would be very interested in this result. 

Montreal Simon is frustrated with this week's developments in politics & his frustrations are shared by most & rightfully so. Click on the link to read his posting. Between the Harpercon numbers going up, jeers for Layton & the N.D.P. for supporting the Harpercons & the temper tantrum of Denis Coderre, the situation is indeed a frightening one. 

Furthermore, the ads of Iggy in the woods & everything else he has tried is failing miserably. The fact that he distanced himself from that Christmas Coalition failed as well. 

The only good strategic decision he made was overriding Denis Coderre earlier this week about the riding of Outremont & we owe a thanks to the latest candidate to throw her hat into the Quebec Federal Liberal ring by telling Iggy she would prefer to run in Jeanne Le Ber & to allow the Outremont nomination to go to Martin Cauchon who held Outremont for eleven years before resigning. However, that seemed to also backfire given the hissy-fit Coderre had, resigning his post in a huff. While I don't agree with how Coderre handled himself, I think Iggy threatening sanctions like throwing him out of caucus would be a huge blunder. However, it looks like Coderre & Iggy may reach some kind of understanding.

Harper's MIA from the UN climate talks & UN speeches proved what Iggy said about Canada losing its' place on the world stage, but that doesn't seem to work neither.

Montreal Simon seems to believe that Iggy is just plugging way too fast instead of stepping back to correct some of the problems within the Liberals. Here his a cartoon by André-Philippe Coté of Le Soleil which was posted on Montreal Simon today.  Simon  translated the caption to English: 

Besides the fact that Iggy is the biggest problem with the Liberal party is Iggy himself, why are his efforts failing so miserably? This is two leaders in a row who will never ever be prime-minister. The fact that Dion, being from the Chretien faction & a French speaking Quebecer, usually a winner failed. This is where I wonder if any leader of the Liberal Party can win. If so, they'd better return with someone from the old Chretien/Trudeau Camp. 

Also, Jack Layton should be thanked for saving us from a Harpercon majority & not chastised. Let's appreciate this for now because we don't know how much longer Layton & the N.D.P. can keep propping ol' Stevie up.

It's about time the Liberals & the N.D.P.  merged. I think that this is the only way to keep Harpercons out. After all, it is thanks to the CA & PC merge that Ol' Stevie is in power today. A merger would also avoid the problem of a coalition which a lot of Canadians seem to whine about.

A Creative Revolution has done more than a good job of reminding Canadians who the Harpercon clan really is and answer the question some Canadians have: What more Harper can do if had a majority? Below is a video produced  by A Creative Revolution summarizing what Harpercons have done & who his merry band of disciples are. Really worth a view & the music so fitting especially with that Halloween-ish tone.

What is really frustrating is Ol' Stevie is fairing quite well in the polls these days. Apparently, recent events have not moved Canadian voters.  His video behind closed doors & his No-show at the UN climate talks in favour of lunch with Mayor Bloomberg & skipping the UN speeches in favour of donuts at Timmy's doesn't seem to appall Canadians. 

Then there are commentators from various newspages who actually suggest that we suck up a Harper con majority for four years, thus giving the Liberals ample time to get their shit together to win the next election. Well, read the following links & list below: Take a good look at what Ol' Stevie & his Harpercons can accomplish in four years:  Is this what we really want?

Read more extensively what a Harpercon majority would accomplish here.
If anyone needs a refresher course of ol' Stevie's fantasies; here are some quotes from & about him.  Want to know how many "friends" he dumped? A long-due trip down memory lane, perhaps?  How his true blue colours come creeping out? Read all about that here.


Canadians who would vote in Harpercons: I suggest strongly that you read the above links & view the above video before signing Canada away to this neo-con. Especially to Centrists, I'm sure you would really not like  what a Harpercon majority would do. 


Here are just some highlights of what would be sure to happen: 

1. A two-tiered American Health care system mirroring exactly that of the American nightmare of a system.
2. Abortion will be criminalized.
3. Deep cuts in Gov't. services
4. That new temporary EI bill will go out the window & I venture to say we will no longer have EI
5. Fewer transfers to the Provinces (except for Alberta of course)
6. Our same-sex marriage legislation reversed
7. More Corporate Tax cuts on the backs of the Canadian working class.
8. No more Canada Pension Plan & Old Age Pension
9. The war in Afghanistan will probably be prolonged. 

Harper chastises Quebec 'separatists'. Perhaps we all need reminding about a letter he wrote during his hay day as President of the National Citizens' Coalition, suggesting Alberta build a firewall around itself.  If ol' Stevie gets that majority, he will no doubt revisit this issue.


You can also read my previous postings about Ol' Stevie to get some quotes.


Many of us probably wish there was a way for the Liberals to oust Iggy now, without a federal election & there probably is a way, but that has problems: 

1. If Iggy is ousted, this would be a perfect time for ol' Stevie to trigger an election & a Harpercon majority would be certain.
2. Who would & could lead the Liberals this time? And not another care-taker; someone who can actually win a Liberal Majority? Not Bob Rae: Gilles  Duceppe, as well as Harpercons would capitalize on his transgressions in Ontario way back when. Also, has Ontario, a battleground province, forgiven Rae? 

Unfortunately, we'll have to stick with Iggy for awhile longer & hopefully he can get some new PR people to sell his package better. Best case scenario: "I will say it again! Iggy & Jack: stop fighting &amp start playing nicely! Merge already!"


Is it really worth living living in a Canada we no longer recognize to save a little trip to the polling station on the way home from work??

...And Let the Insanity begin!

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

-Albert Einstein

Einstein's definition of insanity is the best way to describe what's happened in recent years of minority governments & frequent elections. Canadians vote in minority governments where the parties so obviously can't play nicely with one another & another election is called shortly afterwards; it's no wonder no one can govern under these circumstances; they're too busy either campaigning or plotting the next election call. Canadians bitch & whine about not wanting to go back to the polls yet again & either they don't go and excercise their right to vote which is usually favourable to the incumbant, or they continue voting in minority governments. Canadians moan & whine each time they hear the hint of an upcoming election & wonder why the minority government just doesn't make the effort ot govern the country. Well, I think it's plainly obvious that this is no longer an option.

Canadians ask when will we stop going to the polls every year or two. The answer to that question is until the Federal Parties AND the Canadian voters get it right. What would be right is a majority government whether it be Liberal or Conservative. Quebec got it right last year after approximately a year of Charest's minority government not really functioning with the recession looming, his campaign was that 'three hands cannot stear the rudder' & it worked! Quebec voters bought it & voted in a Charest majority. No need to worry about another costly political election for the next few years here.

Will the parties & the voters get it right? Well, that all depends which polls we would rely on. An Ekos poll on August 27, suggested the Conservatives having a slight lead before Iggy announced his showdown to the media. Now, as of September 3, the Ekos poll suggests a dead heat between the Tories & the Liberals. Many of the news outlets suggest a dead heat as well. Going by these polls, insanity will hit Canada yet again: the end result will pretty much remain the same as last year; another minority government most likely led by Harper yet again. Some news papers suggest a Liberal led minority but I find the former more likely to happen than the latter.

If either Iggy or Harper win the next minority government, it is clear to be a prelude to yet another election, only the next time, with different leaders at the helm of either or both of these parties.

However, this time, I venture to guess that with the exception of Gilles Duceppe (unless he retires) who has nothing to lose or gain; the parties will have a changing of the guard. Harper will have shown that he can't get a majority government & thus his party will be lobbying to put someone else in place, preferably someone who can smooth over some of the damage they did in Quebec (cuts to arts & culture for one). The Liberals will push for Iggy to resign & once again select a leader who can win & take away at least some of the raison d'etre of the Bloc Quebecois.

But what if the voters do get it right & vote in a majority? There is the possibility of a Harper majority either this fall if the Ipsos poll & accompanying explanation released August 24 showing the Conservatives with an 11 point lead over the Liberals. Numbers like that would have the Tories poised for a majority government this Fall or within the year when a Liberal led minority loses a confidance vote as the Conservatives will be far less likely to compromise on anything. One thing more dangerous than a Harper minority is a Harper majority because if this happens, prepare for American Republican style policies being put into place. Ultra right winged policies he could never dream of implementing while in a minority government. Make no mistake he hasn't lost any of those values held while the president of the National Citizens' Coaltion . Here are some other quotes by Harper & others who worked with him. For those who think I'm crazy to even be worried about this scenario, let's remember that Harper did gain seats thus strengthening his minority & low voter turn-out would be more than likely which generally favours the incumbant.

Also, inspite of the popularity of the Bloc in Quebec these days, we can't forget that when the Bloc first came on the scene led by Lucien Bouchard in the early '90s & they were sweeping Quebec, Chretien still managed to win a majority Gov't & the Bloc were the official opposition

Of course my predicting the possibility of a Harper led majority is pre-mature as I have not been able to find a more recent Ipsos poll or any other recent poll suggesting this & Iggy might have a few rabbits in his hat. But it is & should be a concern.

So, if the best Iggy could hope for this Fall is a minority & probably a short lived one at that & the risk that Harper can get a majority, why is he planning to trigger an election now? Well this editorial originally printed in the Vancouver Sun hazzards a guess. No doubt the returns would be big but unfortunately not likely to happen. An English language ad seen here, while uplifting and avoids slamming the opposition, does not appeal to the working class majority. Perhaps he should steal some ideas from last year's Jack Layton ads about the kitchen table.

However, Bob Rae would do well to stop & think before making statements like he did on Canada Am about it being the Liberals' job to oppose the government; using that kind of rhetoric was the beginning of the end for Mario Dumont & the ADQ in Quebec. This is indeed a very weak beginning, especially since no one has really seen a Liberal platform as of yet.

Another good idea, although not likely to happen would be if the divided left took a cue from the former PCs & Canadian Alliance & found common ground & merge. As much as many to the Left prefer them, let's be realistic, the New Democrats will never be the leading party & the Liberals need to appeal to the working class. Fewer parties mean less chances for minority governments.

So, best case scenario for right now? Hopefully, the inevitable federal election can be stalled until the Liberals can get their act together & prove to Canadians they are fit to lead thus better chances of winning a majority. We'll see if Harper really doesn't want an election right now or is he just playing for the Canadian voters. I say let the insanity drag on for awhile longer as I, as well as the left & those more toward the center would want the Liberals to end the insanity; not the Conservatives. Those who wish an election sooner in order to get rid of Harper & the Conservatives now; be careful what you wish for; I will say it again; one thing more dangerous than a Harper minority is a Harper majority.

As for the Canadian voters whining about going to polls; grow up; our forefathers fought for us to have this right, the least we can do is excercise it.