Funny, I don't read the post but I like Don Martin from his weekly radio politico talks on CBC. WHen I read the article you linked to, I can here his voice, which is weird in a Jack Handy kinda way.

Flaherty is so out to lunch with this budget update and Jack(!) is such a pompous moron to refuse to speak coalition.He knows full well that an election right now would cost the dippers really because his people work for praise alone, and that with Dion as a leader for the Libs, his bunch will do no worse that they did in Oct. I am sure a few dips think they will actually be some sort of alternative that will be viewed fondly by the masses given the climate and form a minority, but thats just red flag waving nonsense.

Ugh.

That made no sense.. My apologies, I'll try to rephrase.

The NDP will do no better in an election right now and having one would cost them less than the libs, though they would have little if any gain. It would just prevent an easy Iggy takeover of the party in the spring and eventual Lib Minority or Majority next fall..Jack is Crafty but a crafty dork.

Sorry, friday morning brain no work.

And now the headlines:
" Chretien, Broadbent brokering possible coalition "

Which translates into "the last two USEFUL leaders of the NDP and Liberals get together to decide how to whip their underling bozos into being nice kids and playing together without fighting".

This could potentially be the best thing to happen to Canada politically in aeons.

Some economists say this, and some economists say that. And not only this, but in a year or two's time one of them is going to be right and of course "we knew it all along".

But let me get it straight: Canada's in one of the best (if not the best) position of the major economies because of fiscal prudence but _now_ it's time to start imitating George Bush? Is that the position of the left? That now is the time for the government to start spending money into debt so goods and services can be purchased now while they're still at red-hot top o' the market prices?

As for coalition: bring it on, as he said also. How's that going to work exactly? Because the Liberals, and the BQ, and the NDP can't raise money for themselves they should be now given control of the treasury. What price will the BQ cost to be on board? What price the NDP?

(Sorry for the number of rhetorical questions, I was like a valley girl in an earlier life?)

David is correct of course about the bailout bit. We are in good economic standing and will weather the storm quite fine as is. Dumping money into an auto sector that produces the equivalent of horse drawn wagons is stupid. We have a huge shortage of trades people in Canada, dump money into retraining the auto folk thank you very much to do those jobs or go back to school.

But the Cons are going to produce a bailout anyways, and are pretending they are not to be able to produce this piece of garbage wrapped in pretty tissue. In doing so, they are trying to hide a financial smackdown on smaller less wealthy parties.

I say let em eat cake. A coalition for 6 months then an election with a new Lib Leader. Thats my Xmas prezzie.

I have promised my (verbal) Liberal sparing partner that I will vote for Iggy if Harper starts bailing people out. Why the hell not, it'd sixa one hafdozen da other ;-)

Election triggering trigger untrigged.

Blink!

Ah yes, but the plan appears to be beyond stopping David. My little birds tell me that they are working towards a coaltion nonetheless.

And thanks a lot, I went to your blog, started reading the code and VUUP I was in the Matrix, wearing leather fighting Agent Smith....

Blink and a kick in the pants, too!

Actually, I though this came out making the CPC looking pretty good! Put the other parties in a snit looking for handouts in hard times.

As I said, bring on the coalition, though I can't see it happening. Who gets to be the big chief? More importantly, who doesn't?

My new blog is fun. I decided to write about stuff I know about for a change ;-)

Not me. To hell with that.

If Chretien and Broadbent are running the show behind the scenes, expect the actual identity of the leader to not be an issue. This will not be about the political funding but the "no action" stance of the CPC that removes 6 billion a year from an economy teetering on recession...even though this is a great opportunity, as someone recently said, to pick up bargains.

The idea that Canada is immune from recession is not plausible in light of $40 oil and no auto sales.

Not immune, no, but the effects will be limited to a couple of sectors and some fallout to those that rely on them.

I like to think of this as a possible good thing. A diskclean of the manufacturing sector, a defrag of the economy and a reboot. We'll be faster and more efficient when it's all over.

We do not need in the 21st century, to have our entire economy relying on oil, big dumb unneeded trucks and suvs or raping of the forests.

Coalition now!

Why have dull politics?

Let the PM have a short vacation in Stornoway followed by the next election, when everybody's hash can be settled.

Then again, a minority government is really a sort of coalition government then isn't it? The "governing party" has to cut deals with enough people on the other side to ensure their items are passed.. avoiding confidence motions on all issues if possible to prevent an election when they aren't ready for such...

WAIT a minute, thats the way it's SUPPOSED to work..Silly Reformers not wanting to play by the rules. This'll teach em.

I say leave Harper where he is for the good of the children - seriously.

Alan -

For the good of the country & its children? Maybe.

But for the sake of our own entertainment? Bring on the tripartite deal!

"In light of the government's failure to recognize the seriousness of Canada's economic situation and its failure in particular to present any credible plan to stimulate the Canadian economy and to help workers and businesses in hard-pressed sectors such as manufacturing, the automotive industry and forestry, this House has lost confidence in this government and is of the opinion that a viable alternative government can be formed within the present House of Commons."

w00t. I can now go home early, with a 4 pack of English ale fritter the eveing away watching happy Chritsmas movies with sugar plums dancing in my head... sigh

And to the cons I quote Steve Martin:

"I break with thee... I break with thee.. I break with thee.. and then throw dog-poop on (their) shoes"

Yeah, well we'll see who has no neck after a few months if they pull off this stunt. Adscam + some guy from the 70s + a quit leader + powermad Jack + gimmer PQ = hilarity.

I just meant the house, Ben, not the job.

"Adscam"! LOL!

Why not bring up Eugene Whalen while you are at it.

Jesus Christ Al, remember this guy?

Alan -- The house goes with the job.

If that makes Ben and Rachel cry, so be it.

But I say it won't -- they're made of stronger stuff than that.

***

Coalition now!

Thanks you for reminding us of the greatest leader ever, David. What a great picture of the Father of Canadian Fiscal Prudence. Would that he was at work today. But I thought you were referencing politicians of bad character.

Errrr...Coalition now!!!

Rushed home to hear Harper whine on the radio as I cooked Pizza only to get updates while Don! Martin rambled on.

Note: Harper Blinked (or is that Blunk)

(bawk bawk bawk...)