I have seen more than one suggestion by Liberal bloggers and by a newspaper widely regarded as being friendly to the Liberals demand that Mr. Dion bring down the government.
The arguments are that this government should be brought down on a matter of principle as they are taking the country in the wrong direction and/or it makes the Liberals look week. Although I share their concern about the direction of the country I unequivocally disagree with their suggestion that Mr. Dion bring down the government.
The simple truth is the Liberals are not prepared to fight an election at this time. So having an election right now would probably lead to a Liberal defeat. For me that defeats the purpose of bringing down the government based on principles. If the Conservatives were to win a minority government they would have at least 2 years free reign to continue taking the country in its current direction because there would be no way any opposition party would plunge the country into its 4th election in 4 years. Of course, if the Conservatives were to win a majority then we would have four years of watching helplessly as the Conservatives take full advantage of unfettered power. If you believe that the Conservatives are taking the country in the wrong direction now, when they are held back by their minority government status, just imagine what would happen if they did not have that anchor.
Mr. Dion has made the right decisions in the past couple of weeks. The Throne Speech was designed to trigger an election but it did not. If you look at that Speech you will note that the parts that do not threaten the Conservatives can be accomplished in about 6 months, if the Opposition were to put a fight. Of course, the Liberals are not so those parts should be done by Christmas. Then the Conservatives have a choice. Bring forward legislation and votes on the issues where they are on the wrong side of public opinion or go back to drifting as they were doing last Spring.
Either way they will not be able to build their support during that period and they will eventually have to bring forward measures that will allow the opposition to defeat them on their terms and not Mr. Harper's. The Harper government has been denied its preferred method of suicide so now they will have to await their fate from the opposition.
In politics, as in life, people of good conscience sometimes have to make the difficult decision of delaying the right course of action in the short-term because to wait will bring greater benefits in the medium and long-term.
That is the decision Mr. Dion has made and it is the right one.
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Yes, I think I'm with you ottlib.
I don't honestly think the "voting" yea, nay or abstaining, reaches the eyes and ears of most anyway.
The wonks will watch, the media will hype the con rhetoric, but the country is getting on with other things.
Harper is screaming for an election, while telling the country he just wants to govern.
Timing is everything here and while I share the concern that every minute under a Harper watch is dangerous, we have to be realistic and ready.
It is difficult to tell how prepared we are though. I have a suspicion that the policy portion is being very under-played, on purpose.
Money, well that's there for all to see, but correct me if I'm wrong, all of that get's level during an election. Do we know if we have what is allocated? (No guarantee that the con's won't over spend of course, lol).
I think we watch as Harper blows out all the stops and makes obvious to all, who he is and how he has constructed the next election.
It's easy to become discouraged by focusing on the con's and their message but if we stopped following the shiny penny that they throw out, we would pay attention to the groups that now, (not then), oppose him, including former members.
Perhaps we would see some momemtum building. Frankly, I suspect it is and we're not seeing it.
I'm an optimist, but if I'm right, it's not a bad place to be.
btw, I got the same spam the other night. As far as I can tell, it's an effort to open discourse.
I think it's a write assessment of the situation. But now Dion has got to stand up and say that he won't just give the Conservatives an easy ride.
abdul-rahim, I think there is something to be said for your suggestion.
"Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is obviously seeking an election, as are the NDP. The Liberals have not and will not take their bait. The Prime Minister set an election date. He should be honest and stand by that. Here is my question..."
Okay, I'll never be an MP, but I think you have a point.
It is fine to say the timing is wrong, but I wish people wouldn't envoke Dion as making the "right decision", when he was chomping at the bit to vote against the throne speech. If not for a caucus revolt, we would be in an election campaign right now, because Dion didn't agree with the waiting scenario. Strategists, advisors, MP's, but not Dion. Dion is with the bloggers and the media ;)..or was anyways.
Steve, with respect, all you say is true and that in my opinion tells me he did make the right decision.
Leadership isn't about dictating. It's about listening and pushing your vision forward in a way that will both make sense and be supported.
You're so impatient, ;) but you know I luv ya.
Steve:
It was still his decision to make. The rest is just process.
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