Democratic Right to a Coup D'etat

First some words from our sponsor...

Democracy

1 a: government by the people; rule of the majority b: a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections.*

Coup D'etat

A sudden decisive exercise of force in politics ; especially : the violent overthrow or alteration of an existing government by a small group.*
*Merriam- Webster's Dictionary

Do these words belong together?

Would they metaphorically be able to sit down at a tea party and politely have superfluous conversation about the weather?

Well, it seems that they can surprisingly co-exist in the modern era in a modern society with a historical foot in both theories.

Stephane (I Stepped Down As Liberal Leader Because I Suck) Dion and Jack (I Just Want Power) Layton got into a strange bed together the other day. Even as the rumours circulated that they had been "politically" dating for months. That wasn't enough though. They also then got married after their "little meeting"
... by the Canadian devil himself - Gilles Duceppe.

What on earth am I talking about? I swear, I am getting to the point really soon.

The Canadian Government is on the verge of playing "the biggest political game in history".

The BLOC, NDP and Liberal parties have formed a new government.

A coalition.

In essence, a rebel army. They might not have to put a dagger between their teeth and break into the Federal Government's Castle, but they are in essence about to do the same thing with a different kind of dagger called - democracy. At least their interpretation of it.

At one point in the next week or so, the democratically elected Federal Conservative Government will be attacked by the other three parties, who collectively have the power to kick Stephen Harper out on his smarmy Conservative ass.

A vote of "no-confidence" it is called.

Why? In a nutshell... Harper gave them the opportunity they were waiting for. He played politics rather than economics. As a result,he opened the gates to the castle, let the rebel army and the devil in.

Finance Minister, Jim Flaherty, last week released a proposed budget that lacked a stimulus (Throw a pile of money at the economy and hope it works) package. Most believe this is the best way to kickstart the economy during our current recession. President-elect, Barak Obama is doing it in the States, as well as most governments in the western world.

Was that the real reason for the uproar?
Doubt it.
The probable real reason, is it also proposed abolishing public funds for political parties. In effect, crippling any opposition to Stephen Harper for years to come.
No money for campaigning, rallies etc if you are a Liberal, NDP or BLOC member.
The Conservatives already have power and with it, access to a lot of corporate "influence" that would allow them to pay for future elections quite fine, thank you.

So what is the deal then? How does this affect you?

1) We have just lost our right to vote.

I am not a fan of Harper. His freezer-pressed sweaters and matching ideology are not what I believe Canada needs at this point in history. Having said that, right or wrong. Canada voted for a Conservative minority government on Tuesday, October 14, 2008.

I will tell you this, I do believe in a real democracy. If we do, indeed, see a Dion-led coalition government take over this month. We would have taken a step back on the political evolutionary scale.
Sure, it is possible to have a no-confidence vote and I think that it should be used when there is a fundamental reason to use it.
- The Prime Minister has gone insane. Well.... errrr....
- The Federal government decides to go to war with Quebec and install a dictatorship. - see #1
- Harper instills the "No Pants In Parliament" policy. - again see #1

I could go on an on. Having said that, the Liberals are quite simply looking for a way back into the corridors of power irrelevant of their fellow Canadians' welfare. So much so, that they are willing to make a deal. Any deal. That is what is scary. Don't tell me that Gilles Duceppe and his separatist BLOC party are supporting this coalition for shits and giggles. Gilles is going to get something out of this situation and that scares me.

2) This comes at a really bad time.

With all the economic uncertainty at home and abroad, we do not need a Canadian "democratic" coup d'etat. It causes economic turmoil and essentially drives the markets lower as investors jump the sinking ship. A coalition, by definition, will make it hard to implement plans to steer the S.S. Canada back on course with two captains and a rather unruly first mate.

Homelessness is on the rise in Canada. A swan-dive into the economic unknown will only serve to make this terrible situation worse. As more and more people are affected by the rising cost of living, a weak dollar and fewer jobs.

My thoughts to Michaëlle Jean, Governor-General of Canada who ultimately has the power to choose to accept this process or not in the coming days...

If a vote is given and the coalition wins a no-confidence motion. You have the power to then request a federal election rather than accept the coalition. An election is one of the last things we need right now, but make stipulations on how much it will cost and how it will be carried out. No campaigning, just a simple Yes or NO. A referendum perhaps.
Do you support the coalition's right to take over from the current federal government based on a no-confidence vote?

At least we keep our supreme power vested in Canadians and exercised by Canadians directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections.

B.O.B.