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Careful what you wish for, Ignatieff |
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Written by Al Hollingsworth
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Thursday, 03 September 2009 |
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff is playing a dangerous game. Throwing down the gauntlet by announcing he plans to defeat the Harper government at the first opportunity when the House of Commons resumes sitting, may just break the log jam, and send the voters, those who bother with the process, over to the Conservatives in droves.
I was interested in a straw poll on a recent CTV evening newscast. Viewers of the 6pm program with Steve Murphy were 10 to 1 against a fall election. While this is not a formal poll, the figure is somewhat telling.
Canadians are fed up with politicians and elections. So much so that there could be a significant backlash if the Liberals force the issue. One thing is certain, the Conservative supporters will vote. Especially in the West, where they dominate.
In my day-to-day travels I have yet to meet one person who favors bringing down the government. Oh, I suppose that if I were to hang around some Grit party loyalists I would hear voices of agreement, but I abandoned that practice some five years ago.
You never say never, but I somehow doubt I will ever attend another Liberal meeting. The last one I attended, I questioned a motion that was being proposed. The party president informed me, and everyone else in the room, that I didn’t “understand what was being said up here…” Pompous ass.
That may have been the case then, but I do understand Ignatieff’s current posture; it represents greed.
When Ignatieff announced his intentions at a Sudbury meeting of the federal Grit caucus, the media recorded the loud cheers of the members. Personally, I could hear the salivating, as those present thought about being back in power and all the perks that go with being government.
If Ignatieff, through his actions, brings down the government, it will be a selfish act, not only by him, but by extension, by all of those in his party who have been pushing for a new vote.
How many times have we gone to the polls in the last five years, trying to elect a federal government? More times than I care to count. There was a time when we joked about Italy and their spaghetti parliaments. Methinks the joke is now on us. How ridiculous we must look to the world.
Meanwhile the prime minister has said he will not do side deals with the NDP in an effort to save his government. Instead, he will force the Liberals to defeat a bill that includes the popular tax credit for home renovations. If that happens, look out!
Canadians by the thousands will vent their anger in the best way they know how, by marking an “X” for anyone but a Liberal. Only the diehard Grits, and there aren’t many of those left, will support the once proud party.
Harper and the Conservatives have only had the responsibility of government for 10 ½ months. Up to this point they have done nothing outrageous and deserve to carry on.
If they eventually step over the traces, attempt to push a right wing agenda down the throats of Canadians, then the opposition parties can step in and bring them down. Meanwhile, get back to Ottawa and get on with the business of running the country.
Ordinary Canadians, the ones who pay the freight, are lucky to get two week vacations. The members of parliament have more vacation time than working time. It’s time we starting getting what we pay for. Good government.
(Al Hollingsworth is a retired journalist and broadcaster)
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