Harper Prorogues Parliament

So Harper successfully managed to petition the Governor General to prorogue Parliament until the end of January.

I have difficulty believing that this is in the best interest of the Nation, rather than the Conservative Party of Canada.  How, when Canada is facing an economic crisis, is it worthwhile to STOP working for two months, rather than let a coalition of people get to work and deal with the problem?  

This is purely a move on the Conservative Party to retain power, rather than to help the Nation.  

And shame on the Gov. General for bending to the will of Harper.  Granted the Gov. General position is primarily figurehead status, and has little real power in our current political system.  But considering that this is probably the first time in nearly a century that the Gov. General had a decision to make that actually effected all Canadians, she should have taken a different course of action. 

Since this was relatively uncharted territory in the History of Canadian politics, the Governor General SHOULD have consulted the British Monarchy for advice on how to proceed.  After all, that is her job.  She is a representative of the Queen.  Do not mistake her position as a Regent.  She is not to rule, but rather to represent the Queens authority.

Not only did Governor General Michael Jean NOT consult the Queen when making her decision, but now she has set a very dangerous precedent for future minority governments.  By choosing to prorogue Parliament, she has allowed any minority government to halt parliament whenever they may risk falling to a motion of confidence.  This gives almost any minority government an inexcusable amount of power.

So now, we wait another two months while the Conservatives wage a multi-million dollar propaganda campaign against the coalition, and the economy will continue to crumble.

I would like to be able to sit in a room with Stephen Harper for just 10 minutes, so that I might begin to understand his line of thinking.  The Conservative economic update not only lacked a stimulus package for Canada, but also included eliminating the right of Unionized public servants to renegotiate their contracts (granted I think most of them are already over paid, but they should still have the right like everyone else does), and limited the ability of women to sue for pay equity, but it also eliminated the political subsidies provided by Elections Canada to all of the political parties.  

Regardless of whether or not you feel the political parties should receive subsidies to help them focus on working, rather than fundraising, Harper had to know it would cause a political backlash.  And to save $26 million?  It's a drop in the bucket compared to the billions the economy needs in investment.  I have a hard time believing that Mr. Harper sat at his desk, feverishly looking for an area where he could save a few pennies.  I have a feeling it had more to do with the ability to potentially cripple his opponents under the guise of 'cost cutting'.  I think he expected it to go over better than it did.  But, if I am correct and that was his real motivation, I think the man is too stupid to be allowed to be Prime Minister!  Forcing your political competitors into virtual bankruptcy does not show good faith.  Especially to voters that you haven't convinced yet to agree to your way of thinking!

I would strongly suggest removing the man from leadership of the Conservative Party before he causes more political fallout.  Oh, that's right.  We can't.  Parliament has been suspended!

The Canadian Coalition?

This week, the Liberals, the NDP and the Bloc all stated publicly that they would NOT support the Federal Conservative's economic update.  They claim multiple reasons for this, including the fact that there is no sign of any type of economic stimulous included in the update, the fact that the Conservatives are trying to take away any public servants ability to go on strike (or effectively renegotiate their contracts for their own benefit) , and the fact that the Conservatives would do away with the subsidy provided by Elections Canada to the political party.  

As you well know, all three parties voting against the Conservatives bill would bring down the minority government.  That leaves us either with a Coalition government or another election. 

So the Conservatives seem to be on their way out, and the Liberals and NDP in.  Interesting turn of events considering we Canadians just had an election 6 weeks ago.

I hear people bitching on both sides of the matter.  Those with Conservative view points tend to think that it's mutiny at best - as a whole, the Cons won more seats than any other party, and therefore, should lead the government.

Those on the Liberal or NDP side of the fence point out that not only did the Cons not win a majority government, but they also only had 35% of the votes.  So why not let a coalition of Liberals and NDP, who together received 50% of the vote run the country?  These people argue that at least this way, more Canadians will be represented in government.

Personally, I think there is merit to a coalition.  Not because of a numbers game, but simply because it will force the majority of our MPs to work together and compromise whether they want to or not.  Either they co-operate, or we go back to the polls again.  

Going back to the polls would likely not sit well with the bulk of Canadians, who are pretty much 'electioned' out.  We have had 3 federal elections in 6 years.  Add to that the overwhelming media saturation of the American election for the last two years, and that's a hell of a lot of politics.

I say bring on the damned coalition and get back to work!  Be done with it already.  We are in the midst of an economic crisis, and political instability is the last thing we need.  Aside from racking up a costly bill, another election within 6 months would likely see us back in the same situation we are already in.

Canada is ready for a new type of government.  There has not been a coalition since the 1920's.  I think that they Canadian People's political views are diverse enough that the bulk of Canadians would support a coalition government.

Just don't let Stephane Dion play Prime Minister.  There are at least two other men available who would do a much better job.

Rainn

Carleton University; Department of Idiocy

So the Student's Union at Ottawa's Carleton University, have decided to stop supporting Cystic Fibrosis with their annual 'Shinerama' fundraiser, "has been recently revealed to only affect white people, and primarily men." (http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2008/11/25/ot-081125-shinerama.html).

The entire student union, sans 1 representative decided to vote against the charity, and to find a new recipient for their fundraising dollars.

The Shinerama drive, where students spend a week shining shoes or cars for donations, has been an institution at Carleton for nearly 25 years.

While I am all for being racially and gender inclusive, it seems to me using politics to choose a charity is rather despicable.  The last time I checked, Cystic Fibrosis was a fatal genetic disease, for which their is currently no cure.  But I guess it's alright to cut them off from funding, because, you know, they are mainly all just white men.

HELLO?  Am I the only one that sees the idiocy in this line of thinking?

According to the student council motion that passed this week, orientation week "strives to be inclusive" and "all orientees and volunteers should feel like their fundraising efforts will serve their diverse communities."

I fail to see the logic in this statement.  Does this mean that I should not feel that raising money for breast cancer research is not serving my community, because I am not a woman?  Should I feel that my community is not being served by people who fundraise for sickle cell anemia since it affects mainly black women, and I am not black nor a woman?

I sincerely hope that the students of Carleton who disagree with this policy demand changes in their student union representation, and continue to raise money without official support from their University.  

I feel badly for these students, as it is likely they will be considered guilty of idiocy, purely by association to their student council.

I can only hope that the Cystic Fibrosis foundation will receive additional donations from people who were outraged by this callous decision.

Remember that a disease causes heartache for everyone regardless of the victims appearance.  

Keep Giving.

Rainn

Election Frenzy

Sarah Palin

Elizabeth May

So. Two federal elections in North America within a 4 week period.

Thank God that's over. If I see one more political ad on TV in the next year, it will be too soon.

First, we had the federal election in Canada the day after Thanksgiving. I know *I* was impressed, having $300 million of taxpayers dollars to hold another election with nearly the same results as before.

Stephen Harper continues his minority government after breaking his own law to call the election in the first place. The Liberals continue to be the official opposition (though with a few less members). And Jack Layton contiues to be the runner up, along with Gills Duceppe. However I have a feeling Jack is going to be louder than ever with his newly acquired seats this term.

The one silver lining of it all was the surprisingly well spoken and knowledgable Elizabeth May, leader of the oft mentioned, yet fruitless Green Party. This lady made it seem possible for a new party to stand a real chance and make a real difference in politics. Even though she did not win her seat, I have faith that it won't be too much longer before we see her calling everyone in parliament hill a 'fraud' in both official languages during question period.

Now to the American Election which made history with their first Black President, Barack Obama. I think its great that finally we see some diversity in the American government rather than rich, old white men who supposedly represent the American Populous. Still, part of me thinks the nation would have been better off with Hilary at the Helm. Does anyone REALLY believe that she wasn't running the show behind the scenes during the Clinton administration?

Which finally brings me to the now infamous Sarah Palin. Is this woman to be believed? She certainly has a marketable appearance, but come on! She's the govenor of Alaska! It's like asking the Mayor of Flin Flon, Manitoba to run New York City! Perhaps not the brightest idea the republicans have had. And I can guarantee that the only thing that will be remembered from this election, aside from the Historic President Obama, is 'I can see Russia from my house!'

Rainn

I'm Baaaacckk!

Yes, its true.

I am back and better than ever.

I had taken a nearly two year hiatus from blogging and photography to pursue another passion. Alcohol!

No, I am not a problem drinker, but I have been running a bar in Fort McMurray, Alberta Canada.

I am still running the bar, but have managed to free up some time for the blog once again.

So, excuse me while I go mix a drink, but I will be back shortly to give you all a piece of my mind. (So to speak.)

Rainn