Electoral Dysfunction: There Ain't No Viagra for that!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 9:14am |

I seriously think Canada is suffering from Electoral Dysfunction. Why are we currently in an election? Was it because Harper saw his polls going up and his chance for a Majority? Was it that Parliament could not function anymore? Was it that Canada - in its weird envious relationship with its older sibling to the south - caught election fever after the Hillary /Obama ordeal, then the Palin/McCain scenario?

Perhaps it was all of these things and perhaps it was only one of them. What ever the cause, we are suffering from Electoral Dysfunction. Why? Because we've just spend 300 million on an election that will accomplish nothing except shuffle around a few seats (though, I could be wrong). My prediction is that we will see a Harper Minority, with a shift in the opposition seats mainly. Harper claims he couldn't make Parliament work last time - so, how can he accomplish it this time with the same numbers? Honestly, I believe most Canadians would have preferred if our government sucked it up and worked together instead of bickering and complaining.

Furthering my prediction, we will see an election in a year or two. Harper's gov will try its best to steer the country, but will falter running deficits and trying to pull together an out-dated economy. The liberal party will - most likely - choose a new leader within that time who the party thinks will offer better leadership and clear vision for the country. Expect an seasoned white guy from Toronto, Ontario.

Again, I could be wrong, but the reasoning behind my Liberal thought is that the recent Ontario election showed us the lack of loyalty in parties now-a-days - John Tory didn't get elected, didn't re-energize that party (as most thought he would), offered some controversial ideas, and he and the party failed. His party is now divided and looking for a new leader. Sadly, I think the same thing will happen here. Dion, while a great thinker, isn't capturing the hearts and minds of Canadians, be it be Media Hype leading people to believe that, or personal thoughts or intuition. However, you feel about it, he didn't step up to the plate as a leader in the same way we have seen Layton and May.

But, perhaps I am wrong in my thoughts. I guess we shall find out tonight and in the coming months. However, I still think we need to be asking our government the question - You couldn't make Parliament work last time, so., how can you accomplish it this time with so little changed? I just wish that the Liberals and NDP get enough seats to present a hard opposition to the Conservatives in th days to come. Truly, though, I would like those parties to get enough seats that the whisper of "coalition" echoes through the halls of Parliament.