Silver lining

My first reaction to the Canadian election was to cry. Then I got angry. It would be easy to continue lamenting and talk of denoucing my citizenship but I've had almost a full day to digest the news and that's just ridiculous. Yes, friends, it's ugly. But, as a still proud Canadian, there are some things to be happy about:

1) It is a Conservative minority government: With the Liberals, NDP and Bloc adding up to 183 seats vs. the Conservative's 124, it'll be hard for Harper to slip anything radical through parliament. (At least, this is what I'm counting on.)

2) Martin resignation as Liberal leader is a good thing. He didn't help his party in terms of public relations and I think if the Red Team wants to win the next election, they'll need change. This can only help the Liberals — and in turn, Canada — in the long run.

3) Jack and Olivia: together at last. In 2004, Jack was like totally bummed that Olivia wasn't invited to Ottawa but now that people are pissed off with Tony and all his friends, they're like "Oh, Olivia, we totally want you to come hang out" and she's going to. Jack and Olivia are so perfect for each other. They're so hot together. If that's not a love story, then I don't want to believe in love.

4) Canada is still a democracy and the beautiful thing about that is that there is always the possibility for change. Don't turn your back on it now. I may not love the new prime minister, but I still love Canada.

Comments

[brian]

i'm also counting on such linings of silver. it was time for a change and though this isn't the ideal outcome, i'm gonna hope steve is genuine when he says he'll work with all the parties.

[miss lambert]

You're right. Jack and Olivia are hot, especially Jack. And no, the C-Team won't get away with nonsense. The most they can do is slash the GST a bit. But one false move and the government will collapse. How much does it cost to run an election again?!

[Tom]

Yikes!!

Keep Jack and Olivia away from the cheque book!

Maybe they can help with Health or Child Care. Would Jack or Olivia support Child Care if its for profit? or only the government kind?

Accountability, I think they are on the bus. Law & order they "were" on the bus, or was that just to get elected?

I think Harper might have a 12-24 month homeymoon.

[sam]

at least it's a minority government.
but i'll feel better once we elect a new party.

[sarah]

Not to be a downer, but here is my prediction. If they are smart, the conservatives will behave themselves and continue the "red conservative" act and earn our trust until the next election is called. They will earn a majority and the crazy right-winged politicians who were gag-ordered during this election will start to come out of the wooddwork and proceed to eff shit up now that they have more power. I hope the tories will be exposed before then, but chances are they will just fly under the radar until we really believe they are not crazy.

Also, you think Jack and Olivia are hot? I don't like either of them. Jack won't stand behind his party's platform (very angry and betrayed at him for not talking about the NDP's real stance on crime at the debate) and is not a strong or decisive leader. He's acting so happy to get 29 seats like they won or something. That's pretty pathetic for a major party and shouldn't satisfy them. They should start acting like winners and maybe Canada would vote for them more. I stand behind their policies, but come on, if you believe you have a chance then we will believe you have a chance. Olivia may have some good experience as a municipal politician, but she was voted in purely on the "aww.. let them be together" vote. She had a completely unimpressive campaign. She's piggy-backing off her husband's success. Besides, I'm pissed off that in the early 90s they were living in Toronto in co-op housing and exploiting the gov'ts social policies that they are fighting for. That was quite a scandal when they were discovered and I don't think we should be so forgiving.

I do agree with you about Martin resigning. What a terrible politician and talk about doing something for the wrong reasons. I'm glad his ego didn't win out in the end and he never got his revenge for Trudeau beating his father.

And you're right! Canada is the best ever! I love it. However, If we lose the right to love who we want or the women's right to choose, I'm moving. Already I'm worried about military spending and the supposed crime prevention laws that they are instating.

I love you Andrea for being your usually tireless optimistic self. You're awesome. No doubt. :)

[M]

you *have* to be joking. You want to cry that the liberals are not in power?

Alberta is the *only* province to have no debt. Even a surplus. The liberals pissed away money, never looked out for all of Canada. You need to give the conservatives a chance. It won't be half as bad as the liberals.

[Andrea]

No, I'm not joking. But you've tried to put words in my mouth. I did not say I wanted to cry because the Liberals are not in power. I wanted to cry because Stephen Harper was elected as our prime minister.

Yes, I need to give the Conservatives a chance because I don't have a choice. That is the way democracy works.

But if your main point of argument for the Conservatives is that Alberta is a rich province, you've got to do better. Yes, Alberta is rich but Harper didn't personally put the oil in the ground to make it so.

If your point is that Alberta is run by a Conservative government and that's why it's more responsible, please consider the Mike Harris Conservative government in Ontario only a few years ago.

[Andrea]

Sarah: I totally agree with you about the conservatives' "eff shit up" plan. The idea itself is disturbing. Guess we'll just have to keep watch.

The whole "tireless optimistic self" is a new one to me though. Are you sure you're talking about me?

[sarah]

i don't know, i don't think you are always optimistic.. but you do tend to look at the bright side of things and give people the benefit of the doubt, no? you're cynical and jaded at the same time, but ... sweet... and innocent too. i can't describe it. I just love you!

[M]

"please consider the Mike Harris Conservative government in Ontario only a few years ago."

apples and oranges.

[Andrea]

How?