Canadian elections are over. For the first time since I have started voting, I did it with conviction. Lady Canada decided to marry her abusive boyfriend, but the horny pretender (depicted above) now has a copy of the house keys. That's right Stephen Harper, Jack Layton is screwing your wife*. Ladies and gentlemen, Canadian politics just became interesting again.
American (and other worldly fellows) have to understand. Canadian politics were plunged in a boring stalemate for the last twelve-and-something years. Since the Liberals got caught red handed, shoving our hard earned tax dollars in the pockets of their friends and campaign contributors. Then, we elected the Conservatives for a minority government run as a measure of retribution. But those guys are parasites. Once they're in, they multiply. The Liberal vote started dwindling, but as I noted in my first observations about this vote, they relied way too much on the idea that Canada was a progressive country and saw themselves as the only viable alternative. The Bloc relied on the idea that separation from Canada was what Quebec was all about. All this people have been bickering for the last decade and accomplished nothing positive, like a dog chasing its tail.
Yesterday, complacency was kicked in the ass by a balding old man with a killer mustache and an irresistible smile.
And I voted for him.
There were talks (and multiple Facebook rallies) among the voters to organize a "strategic" vote, to keep Stephen Harper as weak as possible. Obviously, this failed harder than a drunken Johnny Knoxville, horseback riding out of a moving train. I think it's a good thing. I refused to waste my vote on a strategy that would have stalemated the situation for a few more years. Sometimes you have to provoke things.
Basically, the parties that actually worked hard and addressed issues won last night. The Conservatives won a majority government and the NDP, Jack Layton's squad, will form a rather strong opposition. We gave a lot of power to the Conservatives (the equivalent of Republicans), but we also gave them the means to dig their own grave. They won't be able to keep everybody happy and by the very result of the vote last night, Jack Layton and his social-democrat friends will have a chance to be heard. We will see what they are made of. Ontarian people now know that change is possible. Liberals have gotten the second worse election of their existence and the Bloc is not even recognized as an official party anymore.
Canadian politics have just gotten a breath of fresh air. The relationship changed and basically Quebec said to Canada: "Let's work together and make this country a better place for everyone". The next few years might be difficult, but they sure will be interesting.
American (and other worldly fellows) have to understand. Canadian politics were plunged in a boring stalemate for the last twelve-and-something years. Since the Liberals got caught red handed, shoving our hard earned tax dollars in the pockets of their friends and campaign contributors. Then, we elected the Conservatives for a minority government run as a measure of retribution. But those guys are parasites. Once they're in, they multiply. The Liberal vote started dwindling, but as I noted in my first observations about this vote, they relied way too much on the idea that Canada was a progressive country and saw themselves as the only viable alternative. The Bloc relied on the idea that separation from Canada was what Quebec was all about. All this people have been bickering for the last decade and accomplished nothing positive, like a dog chasing its tail.
Yesterday, complacency was kicked in the ass by a balding old man with a killer mustache and an irresistible smile.
And I voted for him.
There were talks (and multiple Facebook rallies) among the voters to organize a "strategic" vote, to keep Stephen Harper as weak as possible. Obviously, this failed harder than a drunken Johnny Knoxville, horseback riding out of a moving train. I think it's a good thing. I refused to waste my vote on a strategy that would have stalemated the situation for a few more years. Sometimes you have to provoke things.
Basically, the parties that actually worked hard and addressed issues won last night. The Conservatives won a majority government and the NDP, Jack Layton's squad, will form a rather strong opposition. We gave a lot of power to the Conservatives (the equivalent of Republicans), but we also gave them the means to dig their own grave. They won't be able to keep everybody happy and by the very result of the vote last night, Jack Layton and his social-democrat friends will have a chance to be heard. We will see what they are made of. Ontarian people now know that change is possible. Liberals have gotten the second worse election of their existence and the Bloc is not even recognized as an official party anymore.
Canadian politics have just gotten a breath of fresh air. The relationship changed and basically Quebec said to Canada: "Let's work together and make this country a better place for everyone". The next few years might be difficult, but they sure will be interesting.
* Metaphorically speaking, Mr. Layton is married and a proud monogamous.
