Enjoy!

I’ve been busy with family things as today is the 3rd anniversary of my Dad’s death. I also bought a refurbished G5 to handle the graphics work I do. Long story short, our kids will have an impressive machine once we fully convert our house to Macs.

I’ve been telling people Dion wouldn’t make it past Christmas, but even I’m amazed to agree with Rae that it would be nice if the Liberals let democracy work in picking a new leader. Although I’m not surprised they choose to annoint the heir apparent.

I really don’t mind that in lieu of a bloodless national coup, they went for one in their party. They were in desperate need of a new leader and time is short, and it’s in their constitution, so why not?

We need stronger leaders in Canada and a pathically week liberal party is no better than a destroyed PC party after Mulroney left Kim Cambell with his mess.

Worse yet, there is no Reform party equivelent for the Liberals to carry the torch.

So let Liberals be Liberals and brovo to the proverbial blood-letting. I’m thinking it will be up to 18 months before Ignatia is ready to fight an election. Hopefully the powers that be will focus on the economy in the meantime.

I don’t know why I’m so interested in the politics of this crisis- except that I’m happy to see the lastest polls have the Conservatives close to majority, and the Liberals and NDs completely punished by the electorate, if an election were held today- which tells me I’m not alone.

Anyway, I’ll be cleaning up these points to send them into editors of newspapers as the rhetoric around them are completed bought into by the TV media.

Here they are… Remember I’m at the kids practice, so it may not be fully explained - let me know if I need to clarify a few points.

1. It’s ridiculous the opposition claims the Conservatives don’t have the mandate of the people because the majority of Canadians who voted, didn’t vote for them. Only 5 of the 40 governments we’ve had got the majority of votes. Since WWII - when 3 parties contended and no crisis existed existed to unite the vote- only 2 governments got more than 50%… and both were Conservative. If Harper doesn’t have the mandate, neither did Trudeau, or Cretien, or Martin. It’s an ignorant or stupid argument that reeks of arrogance.

2. It’s ignorant to suggest the GG can choose the coalition-of-loser to rule Canada based on the King-Byng affair. This is the precedence they flaunt. But they either don’t understand history and the role if the Governor General in the Canadian Parlimentary system -and are just ignorant - or they are lying, and are thus stupid. The constitutional crisis was not SOLVED by appointing the opposition - it was CAUSED by the GG not listening to his chief advisor- the PM. How can an unelected position subvert the will of the democratically elected leader? The GG can’t - without CAUSING a constituonal crisis. This is what the coalition-of-losers are counting on - they need a Constitutional crisis to rule.

3. Maybe that last point needs to be explained by the third key to their platform that is either ignorant or stupid. They are inisting that the PM is not the PM without the consent of parliment. How ridiculous is that? The PM is the PM until the next PM is sworn in. Without the confidence of the house, no bills can be passed and the work of the government comes to a halt. By convention and common sense, it’s time for a new PM or a new mandate. But the PM is still the PM until the next PM is sworn in. There is no lag time when the GG has control of the Government.

Why is this important?

Because the PM is the chief advisor to the GG. For the GG to do anything contrary to the advice of the PM precipitates a constitutional crisis. The GG can’t poll MP’s before war is declared. The GG can’t poll MP’s if the PM wants an election. To listen to another beside the duly elected PM means our constitution is not working, our practice is not honour, and our convention is ignored.

With the current poll numbers do you think coalition will want run on last week’s record?

Only if they are truly ignorant of their argument. I don’t think they are. It seems they are just stupid.

Layton will never get a better chance for power. Dion really wants to be PM. If a deeper thinking leader can’t replace Dion in time, they may just do what they threaten.

If Harper can include enough of their saner plans into the budget, it should be clear to the majority of voters that it’s a lust for power precipitating this crisis.

Time for pizza… Better go.

These results may surprise you. I make no guarantee that this is correct. I got it in an email and don’t have time to do the research. I think it’s up to the “coalition-of-losers” to defend their ignorance of history.

Hi folks;

Just a bit of research I did for the rally on Saturday.

The left and those supporting a Liberal/NDP/Bloc coalition often use the logic that because the Conservatives received only 38.5% of the vote, which is obviously less than a majority, they do not have the right to govern. But they fail to point out (or more likely choose ignore) that under our parliamentary system attaining a majority of the popular vote is an exceedingly rare occurrence. Since confederation and through 40 general elections in Canadian history a party has received over 50% of the popular vote only six times. Of those six elections, one occurred during World War 1 and another during World War 2, both obviously periods of genuine national crisis.

Since the end of WW2, through the 21 national elections in this “modern” era, a majority has been attained only twice – both by Conservatives (Diefenbaker in 58 and Mulroney in 84).

Neither Pearson, Trudeau nor Chrétien ever received a majority of the popular vote.

Do the Liberals and the left believe that 34 of Canada’s 40 general elections were illegitimate? Of course they don’t. Their intellectually dishonest logic only applies when they lose!

Here’s the majority results:
1984. Mulroney @ 50.03%
1958. Diefenbaker @ 53.66%
1940 (WW2). King @ 51.32%
1917 (WW1). Borden @ 56.93%
1904. Laurier @ 50.88%
1900. Laurier @ 50.25%

Thanks and take care,
Ken Clancy

Listening to the Canadian media, report on the plans of the “coalition-of-losers” made all of think their subterfuge was assured.

But listening to a Constitutional expert from a law firm I know to be the best (long story and not important in this discussion) talk about the the Constitution, Convention and Practice specifically to the role of Governor General - it’s clear that we in Canada elect a king.

And a time like this, it’s not a bad thing.

The Prime Minister is the chief and only adviser to the Crown. Once a Prime Minister is chosen, it is only the wishes of the PM the GG can grant. Only an election can change a PM. A resignation from a PM is effective when the next one is sworn in. There is no gap in power where the Crown assumes control from the people.

It has to be this way. War is declared by the Queen’s representative. The GG can’t be surveying the losers of the election to see if they agree with the opinion of the PM.

The Prime Minister is the chief adviser to the Governor General. For the GG to refuse advice is for a constitutional crisis to erupt.

So why did it take Harper so long to talk with the GG? What was with all the drama this morning? My guess… Jack Layton was scheduled to address the large crowd of union workers, totaling almost 200 (oooh) at 12:00 CDT. That’s about the time Harper was in the middle of his consistory remarks at Rideau Hall.

Just a guess, but that’s what I would do. I’d also get a budget together the parties would have to support. I’d give them enough concessions that wouldn’t screw up the economy. After they pass it, I’d make the elimination of the subsidies for political parties a confidence motion.

With all the ridiculousness of this lust for power, it’s an issue I’d run on in an instant.

Good thing I’m not PM.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michalle Jean,

First of all, I thank you for your service to our country. This is a historic and difficult time to be in the honourable position.

Secondly, I appreciate the opportunity to voice my concern over the proposed coalition government. With the city of Edmonton at a deadlock over budget discussion and the province of Ontario unclear if they need to “go-it-alone” with the auto sector bail-out, it is abundantly clear we need strong, measured direction sooner rather than later.

I cannot realistically believe a coalition government can transfer power, consult the provinces, establish working relationships with the G20 countries, get up to speed with ministry budgets as quickly as the current government can meet its schedule to consult stakeholders and table a budget by the end of January.

To suggest otherwise is to invite comment of the inexperience of those eager to grab power.

With the Liberal Party not willing for Mr. Dion to be their leader, why should Canada be forced to have him be our leader after he was just soundly defeated in a general election 7 weeks ago?

Three things are needed in any stimulus package. 1. Investment from the government 2. Consumer confidence and 3. Private Investor confidence.

Politicians eager for a political solution have destroyed 2 of the 3 elements by assuming all they need to do is invest 1.5% of our GDP into the economy. This is short-sighted, self-serving and destructive for our nation.

Please take these thoughts into consideration as you meet with the duly elected Prime Minister.

Trevor Lund
Edmonton AB

Here’s my email to encourage him:

To the Right Honorable Stephen Harper,

Our prayers are with you during these unprecedented attacks on Canadian democracy. We need a Culture of Honour in Ottawa, as the events of the last week clearly illustrate. I’ve outlined some thoughts at http://streams.revtrev.com

It’s my hopes that you call for another election and encourage the “coalition-of-non-winners” to run as one party and that this election occurs before Christmas.

Don’t let the calls for your resignation to enter your thoughts. Canada needs your strength and commitment. You are here for such a time as this.

Trevor Lund
Edmonton