Some truths are timeless. In 2007 Andrew Coyne wrote:
Why is Canadian politics so moronic? It isn’t that our politicians are especially stupid, as people: Stephen Harper, Stephane Dion, and Michael Ignatieff are all intelligent men. They just behave like idiots. It’s institutional, a culture of vapidity that drags even the best down to its level.
I have no idea why you say our politics are moronic; they work very well to produce a stable outcome. Stephen Harper, no man's idiot, has total control of our country now. One wise man with a singular vision and an ability to filter out the nonsense that is unendingly being machine-gunned at him. There are no 'politics' going on for the next few years because no politics are any longer needed in our system once a leader has a majority. Heil Harper. Silly Americans with their checks and balances. In Harper land and Harper's political system, one man can rule.
ReplyDeleteObama and Cain, (and Ron Paul in the future? - talk about moronic!!!), eat your heart out! Stephen makes you all look like political novices!
Although I appreciate your devotion to the Conservatives, the level/quality of political debate amongst leaders in Canada is pretty low. Have a look at the Coyne article I linked to in the post.
ReplyDeleteYou're right that Canada with a majority government = dictatorship. This does nothing to raise the level of political discourse, however, which remains "vapid" regardless of the balance of power in parliament.
The senate is supposed to be the 'sober second look' but is really a rubber stamp. I cannot believe that you hold american politics up as an example of 'checks and balances' - without going into a list why they are exactly the opposite, it should be apparent that the american political system is broken and no longer serves the people.
ReplyDeleteIts not like Harper can just do as he pleases. If the issue is to contentious then backbenchers revolt, the public cries out and senators go maverick and vote against bills.
Right, but the PM has many levers of control over his caucus. He signs nomination papers, appoints cabinet ministers, decides political futures. The PM and cabinet effective enforce party discipline, and as a result, there is little that a gov. with a majority cannot do.
ReplyDeleteThe PM has far more power in his own system, than the U.S. Prez does .