Webistemology

TheStar.com

I’ve just read the text of the coalition deal signed by Dion and Layton, and that Duceppe will support. If the leaders of the parties that accumulated 62% of the electorate agree to put aside their differences in the interest of finding sufficient common ground to provide a government for the next period, while Canada goes through the economic crisis – how is that undemocratic?

It may be unwise or unwieldy, and possible even unfeasible, but this is definitely appropriate for a parliament that has had a Prime Minister who flat out doesn’t get what it means to be at the head of a minority government. Instead of reaching out and trying to compromise and achieve a national consensus, Harper reached out and tried to pimp slap the other parties into doing his bidding, and acquiesce to removing core funding. Government funding for parties insures that every vote DOES count, and helps to ensure against the high jacking of the party process by the wealthy.

Like any bully, Harper was surprised when his victims reacted because he had crossed the line. Many of us thought he crossed the line long ago, but that’s another issue.

Personally I don’t think that the NDP should move even more to the center and join the coalition. Better for them to have agreed to support the Liberals, and put some specific policy goals in place, but that’s water under the bridge.

Harper’s imperial prime ministership has, I hope, reached the end of its days, and perhaps some semblence of consensus can now be achieved.