Banging our head on the Canadian Wall

Have you all noticed the last month or so the hype over three Quebec bye-elections. The Conservatives - Libs - and NDP beating the streets - leaders beside themselves tripping to get into Outremont or Roberval-Lac-Saint-Jean or Saint-Hyacinthe-Bagot.

If this district goes Conservative - so goes the country. If the Lib does not win this seat - Dion is finished as a leader and party execs will begin the infighting. If the NDP take this seat - well they are on their way to taking the official opposition.

The media in Ottawa were in a frenzy - speculating for weeks as to what might happen and how important these "3" seats were to the future of politics in Canada. Harper had to keep momentum going in Quebec by taking a Bloc seat - Dion had to hang onto the Liberal seat or the entire Liberal machine in Canada was breaking down. If the Bloc lost one seat - Duceppe was finished - the federalists were on the rise.

Well what a mess it all was.

Here's a sample of headlines and quotes from various media...

by-election in the Liberal stronghold of Outremont will be an acid test for Stéphane Dion's leadership

Stéphane Dion spent six months searching for a star candidate to run in the Outremont by-election

The results will have major consequences for the Liberal party and Dion, as the byelection was widely considered to be a test of his leadership.

Jack Layton "Quebec has chosen a new direction, and it has started right here in Outremont. You have participated in making history and changing the course of politics in Quebec, and in Canada."

The Conservatives, who kept expectations low during their byelection campaign, were quick to call the results an indictment of Dion.

>

The outcome of Monday's vote won't affect the balance of power in the House of Commons, but it will likely fuel election speculation in Ottawa, where many Conservatives appear keen on another election if the Liberals and Bloc are weak.

"Mr. Dion has spent at least seven days in the riding. He's still there today."

Dion loyalists charge byelection sabotage

In Newfoundland and Labrador - however - where the Conservatives are liable to be wiped out - WHO CARES - 7 seats and WHO CARES? Other than the Liberal and NDP wannabes who will get a nice pay-check thanks to Dan's ABC campaign - the three federal parties do not care.

If Quebec does not elect enough government MP's - appoint an unelected leach into the Cabinet. The fact that PEI (the entire province) does not have direct representation in Cabinet - who cares?

If Quebec squawks over equalization - boom - there goes Harper's promise to Newfoundland and Labrador - Nova Scotia - and Saskatchewan and WHO CARES?

Now between Quebec and Ontario - they will decide the future of our Canada - that's our federation - and it is broken. If there is no real way to resolve this - a new union must be found.