Friends are Electric

I have read a large number of peoples’ opinions on this. That is all they are, opinions. There is what is legally allowed and what people consider to be moral. Lets work at separating the two.

From past writings, I am sure it is clear which side I appear fall on this debate. I want a functional government, be it Conservative or coalition. To be entirely honest, all of the parties working together would be the most idea, if unlikely, solution to our `crisis.’ I honestly do not care who gets to live on Sussex Dr., so long as they govern with respect and dignity. Whether any of the current party leaders are even capable of that is another matter which I will not consider at this time.

I have tried to point out the facts on how our democracy works all week. In keeping with this recent tradition, I am now going to defend Stephen Harper’s actions in suspending Parliament.

First of all, this is an entirely legal action. There is no arguing this. Just like there was no arguing that a coalition government was illegal. Calling either of these fabrications results only in the person making the claim displaying their ignorance or their agenda.

The morality of this action, as the morality of forming a coalition government, is entirely up for debate. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. However, I would say this is not an immoral thing to do. Instead, I think that this was exactly what the situation called for.

Lets step back and examine exactly what suspending Parliament until the new year is going to do.

1. This will cool tempers
   All MPs will have a chance to talk things over in detail, work out agreements if necessary, and perhaps even work together on a larger scale. If Parliament were to continue now, harsh things could be said from emotion which were not meant
2. The Canadian public can become better educated.
   All of the political parties have been streaming constant attacks on the opposing party for days now. As far as I can tell, not one of these groups has actually been truthful about what is happening and what is legally able to happen. Harper has been saying that a coalition is illegal and undemocratic, which is false, and I am sure Dion and Layton will be calling Harper a coward over todays decision. Ideally this should stop and politicians can work to actually educate the public, rather than indoctrinating them.
3. MPs can ask their constituents what they think of any plans.
   My riding currently is represented by a Conservative who won by about 40 votes. NDP+Liberal supporters make up a plurality in this riding. He may be a member of the Conservative party, but I believe that he should do his best to determine what his electorate wants from him. This advice goes for every MP in every riding. The coalition is legal, but it is a change. MPs deserve the time to consult with the people who they represent, both those who voted for them and those who did not, to see how the people feel. Even though I did not vote for the Conservative candidate in my riding, I would be appalled if he ignored those in his riding just because we wear different political colours. I already said that all of the parties working together would be the best solution in my mind.

I, however, doubt this is what will happen. I fully expect that MPs will follow party lines on this, that all of the parties will spend the next two months filling the airwaves with the most horrendous lies and half-truths. And when Parliament reconvenes, I fully expect nothing to have been solved.

Perhaps I am too cynical. I know I will be in contact with my MP. I expect the same from all other Canadians. These are exciting political times, lets hope we do the right thing.