I think the strongest argument *for* the coalition is, ironically a different take on the “wilderness years” debate. Like the rightist parties have already done, a coalition could give the fractious left-ist parties a chance to realize that governing is a lot better than never-going-to-have-a-chance-endless-opposition and spur them to further consolidate into some type of coherent unified option that could better reflect the actual political will of the country. As it stands three center-leftist parties are *never* going to beat one unified rightist one (schizophrenic as it may be).

The opposite side of the coin is the fact that as unified as it was under Harper the conservates are very much schizophrenic, and have no obvious leadership depth. With no chance of governance in the short term we might fast track some of the in-party schisms that I think everyone expected to play out eventually.

As someone with absolutely no partisan leanings, even a faint chance of fewer (if somewhat ideologically muddied) parties, or a greater number of smaller, ideologically distinct parties would both be very beneficial for the long term political health of this country.

Yes the timing sucks in the current economic climate, but the contrarian in me would also point out that the economy is going to suck like nobodies business in the short term, and airing some of this dirty laundry now could potentially do less harm than at a time when the economy is in an upturn, no matter how much the bay street old-guard complains. Which they will. Loudly.

Wouldn’t Elliot Trudeau roll over in his grave if he knew the Liberals were GIVING money to the Bloc so that they could seperate. Because, in the end, that is what their goal is. And THAT is why they will only support the merge until 2010.

And more importantly, on a personal level, I don’t want to go out and vote again! Why is it Canada can’t get their act together and just LET SOMEONE RUN THE COUNTRY for four years. Sure, it might be painful at times, but we’re certainly not living in a Communist country with zero freedoms. There are peolpe a lot worse off and we need to remember that.

Canada needs to adopt a strict schedule of Election. Two Federal votes in less than a year is a ridiculous waste of time and tax payer money!!

The NDP and the Bloc have both signed an agreement not to defeat the coalition in a confidence motion. So no, I suppose since not all legislation is a confidence motion we’ll see some opposition, but nothing substantial when it comes to budgets, throne speeches or major motions.

While it’s nice to see some leadership from the Liberals, sure, I’ll also note that it’s come more from Ed Broadbent and Paul Martin than anyone actually in the party.

If you take a closer look, and see who orchestrated this whole debcole you see three of our old friend from the Harris days: Clement, Flaherty, and Giorno.

Hmmmm…putting together a program that antagonized the opposition, was painfully ideological and more or less harmful to its citizens?? Who does that sound like.

As for your original question, to be honest, I feel like you. I just don’t know how to feel. Wait…I mean, I know how to feel, just not about the coalition. I know that this isn’t a coup, and I don’t think that this would hurt the country anymore than the conservatives already have/would. I guess, I’m just excited at the prospect of the Liberals finally having some backbone and standing up like they should have done for the past 2 and a half years.

ok…i’m done rambling. maybe I should start a blog?? jokes.

I don’t, for one minute, think that any of this posturing by the Conservatives or the New Liberaquois Party is what the country needs in these precarious times. None of them are doing what is best for Canada. I think they are all playing dangerous and irresponsible games with no end other than blostering their own egos.

I think the only thing to be understood here is that government has proven, yet again, that it runs rampant with myopic and power-hungry people. 100 per cent leadership FAIL.

So I disagree with the idea that this ‘majority’ will be able to push things through unchecked. The NDP aren’t going to be able to push through a far left-wing legislation because the Liberals wouldn’t agree to that legislation, same goes for the Bloc with any separatist legislation. Please tell me if I’m wrong, but I assumed that the very nature of the coalition will force legislation to have concessions on all sides and, to me, that’s a good thing. You’d think it will force them to make policies that they feel are legitimately good for the country because they won’t be able to make the policies that are just good for their party’s politics.

As for this creating cynicism and animosity towards our political system. Frankly, this makes me feel the opposite, much more confident in the system. What gives me the heebeejeebees is the economic legislation his government proposed because it demonstrated that he still is

A) a believer in the far right economic theory of government deregulation and ‘the free market will sort itself out’. This is troubling given the monumental failing of this theory in the US that is literally smacking us all in the face right now.

B) Far more uncomfortable for me was the proposed pulling of the 1.95 per vote for Canadian political parties. THIS is cynical and creates animosity. To me, it’s speaks to being far more interested in retaining power than it does to making good policies.

So I totally understand the other parties saying nothing will change their mind. It’s like Harper has just pulled a gun on them, they have revolted, and now he’s saying ‘Ok, ok, I’ll put the gun away, just let me stay in power.’

I’d like to believe that the other independents in parliament as well are smart enough to see the whole picture. I’m sure as independents they cannot have been happy at what Harper was doing with this legislations so why would they not want to give the coalition a chance? I’d hope they wouldn’t vote anyone out only out of spite.

This is Harper just finally pushing things too far. This coalition just makes me proud to be a Canadian. I bet 51% of Americans wish they had had our system for the last 8 years.