Some Summer Thoughts

It is summertime so I am not paying as close attention to politics as I usually do but I have noticed a few things on which I can comment.

First, Pierre Poilievre's makeover is yet one more example of the underlying disrespect Conservatives seem to have for voters. He is the latest Conservative/Canadian Alliance/Reform Party leader to do so. They actually seem to believe that a politician's looks matter. It is one of the reasons why so many Conservative commentators are always going off on Mr. Trudeau's hair or socks. 

Of course they are wrong. Jean Chretien is by no means a dreamboat and he also talks funny in both official languages. Yet he beat a somewhat attractive blond woman to win his first election, then he beat a made over Preston Manning and he finally beat Stockwell Day, his wetsuit and his jet ski. Stephen Harper has the charisma of a turnip yet he beat three Liberal leaders. He could not beat Mr. Trudeau but contrary to Conservative belief it was not because Mr. Trudeau is good looking.

Mr. Chretien, Mr. Harper and Mr. Trudeau won their elections because they were perceived to be men with substance. When people of substance goes up against those without it they win almost every time.

I have seen some speculation in the media about what would happen if the Conservatives won the most seats but not a majority government in the next election. It has all been out to lunch. Just remember that political pundits get bored in the summer because nothing is really happening so they usually try to make something up to justify their jobs. Often times it is just good old fashioned election speculation, i.e. the government may call an election in the Fall. However, even they cannot sell such silliness this time because there is no way the PM is going to call an election and despite all of his bloviating there is no way Mr. Singh will vote non-confidence in the government any time soon. As well, there is no issue that the media can grab hold of and call a scandal right now.

So they have resorted to coming up with more and more convoluted arguments about how the Liberals can stay in power despite losing an election. It is all BS, not least of which because an election is not imminent so talking about the outcome of something that may not happen for two more years is pointless. So much can change before then. As well, all of their arguments go against how politics is done in this country, which is something all of them should know if they call themselves political pundits. 

Bottom line, the party that wins the most seats gets the first opportunity to form a government and seek the confidence of The House. If that is the Conservatives after a future election, but they do not hold the majority of seats, they will either dare the other parties to vote against a Throne Speech, triggering another election, or they will sell everything including the kitchen sink to the Bloc and win confidence that way.

It's fun watching Conservative commentators squirm when RWNJs overstep like they did in Belleville last week. They were spinning that event, what the protesters said and did and how the PM handled it so much that I would imagine all of them are suffering from severe cases of motion sickness. 

Climate change is real and its impacts are being increasingly felt with each passing year.

There will probably be a cabinet shuffle this week. Seeing that two years have gone by since the last election it is right on schedule. However, that will not stop some Conservative pundits from claiming it is a sign the Liberals are in trouble. Ignore them.