Thank you Jack

THANK YOU JACK

A letter to Jack

Dear Jack,

Thanks for your letter Jack - it is appreciated by all Canadians.

Your life's work will live on in the youth you have inspired.

Your life's work will live on as Canadians find a way to care for others.

Your life's work will live on in Seniors whose quality of life is improved.

Your life's work will live on as people stop and think - become willing to take a chance - become willing to work for change.

The seed you planted was very healthy - not stricken by disease - and will grow healthy and strong.

Canadians will tend your garden, water the soil, and "equally" share the bounty.

Farewell to you Jack, we will no longer see you - but your presence is just a good thought and deed away.

Sue

Hypothetical Harper refuses to Speculate - must Speculate that Canadians are fools

The following is a quote from Harper - yesterday - at the end of the campaign:

"I'm not going to speculate on hypotheticals." — Prime Minister Stephen Harper refuses to comment on what he'd do if the Governor General gave Harper's hypothetical, NDP-led coalition the reins of power.

The following are quotes from Harper throughout the campaign:

"I have been quite clear on the choices in this election, the choices between a stable majority Conservative government where we have an economy on the right track [and] a reckless haphazard coalition formed with the NDP and the Bloc and the Liberals and the only thing they actually agree on is increasing taxes."

The Conservatives release their platform, including a five-page chapter called Here for Law-Abiding Canadians that refers repeatedly to an "Ignatieff-led Coalition."

For example: "In spite of obstruction from the Ignatieff-led Coalition, Stephen Harper's government has managed to pass a number of important measures to protect the vulnerable, and hold criminals accountable." 

In Markham, Harper continued to sound the coalition alarm: "If we win this election, they've already decided they'll vote against our next budget. So on it goes. Another attempt at a coalition and another election."

"Our first preference was to have a debate with the leader of the coalition," said Harper. "Mr. Ignatieff insisted his first preference was to have his coalition partners at the debate."

Harper says new immigrants to Canada "don't want members of Parliament who are going to be part of an Ignatieff government put in office by the NDP and Bloc Québécois even if they don't win the election."

Stephen Harper, after meeting the Governor General to dissolve Parliament, immediately urges voters to give him a majority to stave off a "reckless opposition coalition." Extended quote: "Canadians need to understand clearly, without any ambiguity: Unless Canadians elect a stable, national majority, Mr. Ignatieff will form a coalition with the NDP and Bloc Québécois.  

Stephen Harper must believe Canadians are fools - you and I are fools. 

Enabling bad behavior is not what we support when raising our own children. We have to become hypocrites to vote for Stephen Harper.  

Read quotes here CBC

Harper's 20 messages of Fear - Be very afraid Canada

Stephen Harper to Canadians

1. You do not want an election,

2. You really do not want an election,

3. Be afraid of them (all other political parties) - they are and always have been plotting a coalition,

4. Be afraid of a Liberal lead coalition with the Bloc,

5. Be afraid of the Bloc (even though he used them to prop up a previous budget),

6. Be afraid of an NDP lead coalition,

7. Coalitions are bad,

8. Be afraid of Michael Igfnatieff,

9. Be afraid of Jack Layton,

10. Be afraid of Gilles Duceppe,

11. Fear for the economy - unless I and only I can get a strong majority,

12. If Canada does not elect me - everything will fall apart,

13. Be afraid of everybody but me because they will spend too much (Harper outspends everybody),

14. Be afraid of not lowering tax on giant corporations (Exxon profits first quarter 11 billion dollars),

15. I will only answer 5 questions at media events (Mr. Transparency),

16. I lie so you won't be afraid of the truth (and he can't sell the truth),

17. Beware of Helena Guergis - for the "things" she has done (nothing proven whatsoever),

18. If you do not elect Conservative members your area "might" not be represented,

19. Love Republicans as you would love thou self,

20. Be very afraid of an open and accountable democracy.

Tinkering with Minorities - The beginning of the end of the Conservative/Reform/Alliance Party

I see this Coalition thing as a maturing of our democracy. This concept more than anything else in the last century - shows that we are growing up as a population and no longer are "fearful" to elect something new.

You see Canada - the only group that fears a coalition - are the politicians and their parties.

They like ultimate power. They like taking their turns at the trough and enjoy the spoils of a majority - the bigger the better. It allows them to rule with an iron fist - and virtually makes the Prime Minister a dictator.

The Progressive Conservatives and the Liberals are so used to passing the puck - and being able to reward their cronies with contracts, jobs, and titles - that they don't know what to do in a system that prevents them from getting all the rewards. The Conservatives under Harper are absolutely fish out of water.

As we have witnessed over the past decade - scandals, patronage, criminal activity, and lies are now routinely exposed - denying these political pigs the free access to our money - they are used to.

Our political system allows the voters of different ideologies to elect members in a mathematical way that perpetuates minorities - until the politicians get it and start to cooperate. Our population has been so polarized and permanently partisan in the past that these establishments - known as political parties - have had their way with us. We are just enjoying the change up of our power and beginning to understand the actual control we have. We are now realizing that the Conservative Party is not the Progessive Conservative Party.

Outside of a minority here and there - our political masters relished the majority parliaments and their partners (large corporate interests) had hands extended to pick up our tax dollars. Publicly traded and large private conglomerates are not allowed to vote - they are not people. They relied on their money being used to CONvince a population - through millions of dollars in ads - to support one party or another. In that way Progressive Conservative or Liberal governments would be indebted to them and deliver policy appropriate for them. The Conservatives were created to rein the population back in and return all benefits to the corporate elite - who were let down by Mulroney's fall from public grace.

Promises made to voters were so routinely broken that our population preferred to just call them all liars - rather than exert the effort necessary to punish them at the polls. We became a population that simply disrespected this profession and became used to the friendly chameleon knocking at the door - and would expect - in short order they would change their colours.

Public financing of elections and political parties has changed this - and parties such as the Greens, Bloc, and NDP receive public funds based on the support they receive at the polls. This puts our democracy back in our hands - and is also why Harper wants to get rid of it.

Stephen Harper continues to threaten the population and has now begun attaching the delivery of his promises to a majority victory. This man and his candidates are running around our country attempting to dictate results by saying that the Conservatives essentially will not accept a minority result. Harper has taken up a new skill (reading minds) and then transmitting to us - the people - what Duceppe, Ignatieff, and Layton are really thinking and really planning.

Harper lies almost day to day on the campaign trail and suggests that everybody is wrong but him. He suggests that Duceppe and Layton are lying about what he committed to under the Martin minority. Harper skulks around community by community telling us what is really on the minds of Ignatieff, Duceppe, and Layton and promotes conspiracy as the likely culprit.

Harper has not yet been able to fully deliver for his corporate culture. Those shareholder leaches that raised him from college and taught him the art of exiling social welfare while feeding and nourishing corporate welfare. Harper has learned to promise and say anything to get power and keep it.

Unfortunately for this Reform political android - the people prefer the real deal - where candidates are not owned by oil and banks. Canadians prefer a balance of social and economic policy that moves our population forward - as a whole.

Until Harper and his ilk took over and destroyed the Progressive Conservative Party and then used people like Peter MacKay and Loyola Hearn to sell the "new" reform/alliance extreme right wing ideology - Canadians were not as fearful. That is why the Liberal, NDP, and PC's remained just right or left of centre.

Harper and the fear of him - has caused Canadians to kick the tires before buying the car. Unfortunately for Harper and his corporate clan - this man just did not have the skill to suck in an entire population. He is not the "man" they thought he was and when Harper receives - at best  - another minority he will be replaced.

This is a time when Joe Clarke should be listened to - and PC's in the country should resurrect the old party and return it to a Canadian alternative. Will Peter MacKay have the integrity and guts to do it? Probably not - so the PC's will have to find new blood and finally return the Reform/Alliance/Conservative party back to political obscurity.

Meanwhile Canada - we should continue to elect minorities and continue to force them to cooperate. The cost and inconvenience of election after election is much cheaper than selling our country to the corporate clan that just rendered an entire global financial system dead. The same corrupt white collar puppets that lied and cheated our markets into oblivion and have taken down the financial stability of entire countries.

Fortunately - the youth of the country and the explosion of social media - has made us sit back and take stock. Twitter and Facebook

This election is also a wake-up call for out nationals papers and broadcasters - that everything they report or provide commentary on - shall be critically reviewed by ordinary citizens of Canada. We the people are smarter than Harper gives us credit for. The old folly - Harper underestimated us while we overestimated him.

This time Canada wins.

Evan Solomon - Power & Propaganda - Co-A-Li-Tion

Power & Politics with Evan Solomon today - has confirmed for me that a name change is in order. Power & Propaganda as I will now refer to it - proved what Sue's Blog alluded to in an earlier post is true. Conservative candidates must line up to have a crack at being able to spew the "official" Harper message - over and over on a program that allows such rubbish.

Solomon had no control over the Conservative talking head Pierre Poilievre - who lied through omission over and over - while the NDP Robert Chisholm and Liberal Christine Innes did not have equal time.

First of all - the issue of coalition was concocted by Stephen Harper and was pursued by the media not the public. Mansbridge raised the issue again when interviewing Ignatieff. Next the CBC re fabricated the issue which is not being driven by the people of Canada.

The Conservative was once again - as is always the case with Solomon - permitted to avoid questions and continue to lie about what Ignatieff said. He further lied when he stated what was in the minds of Duceppe, Ignatieff, and Layton.

Solomon referred to getting the most seats in an election. He appears to have a difficult time understanding the obvious.

If Canada gives party A 4 seats party B 3 seats Party C 2 seats and party D 1 seat what does that mean?

It means that party A can attempt to form a government representing 40% of the public ideology but must however address the 60% with another ideology. If Party A can convince either Party B or C  individually to go along with a modified or cooperative combination of ideology then Party A can have 70% or 60% respectively of the parliament. That then would give them a way to operate like a majority.

If Party A can convince party's C and D to support a cooperative platform then Party A could sit with 70% of the parliament and thereby Canadians support.

If Party A acts like its 40% is a majority and ignores the wishes of 60% of the country then Party A will have failed to get majority support and would fall.

Then Party B would get a chance to try to make 30% become a majority by working cooperatively with parties C and D or even Party A.

So if Stephen Harper wants to remain in power if he receives a minority - he has to stop his contempt of the Canadian people and our democracy and find common ground. If this man cannot achieve this after so many years trying - he should do the honourable thing and resign. Perhaps this is the point Canada - Harper is intolerant of our democracy and therefore threatens to use our own system to frighten us.

Harper has spent more time manipulating the media and message regarding a coalition than ever spent on convincing Canadians that his party is the best party for the people.

If Evan Solomon cannot control Conservatives who come to his show day after day and say the same things including lies - day after day - then perhaps there should be a critical review of the program.

Ty to fellow twitter David for some info...

Coalition versus Harper Majority - Bogeyman exposed and it's not the Coalition

As I wait with bated breath for the Mansbridge interview with Stephen Harper - I figured it was just as well to talk about the Coalition.

If the media is hell bent on driving Harper's coalition issue - which clearly they are - then let's really look at it.

Mansbridge - without question - as if on Harper's cue brought the coalition word into the interview with Michael Ignatieff. Since then - the media like bees to honey - have been all over the comments and changing words here and there as they go.

So let us look at a Coalition versus a Harper Majority

The following would presume that the coalition will consist of Liberal, NDP, and Bloc:

1. Health care under the coalition versus health care under a Harper majority; I would be more assured that the coalition would protect universal health care more than a Harper majority.

2. Education under the coalition versus education under a Harper majority; I would be more assured that students and their families would fare better regarding funding of education under the coalition versus a Harper majority.

3. Seniors under the coalition versus seniors under a Harper majority; I would be more assured that seniors would have a higher standard of living under the coalition than under a Harper majority.

4. Child care and family needs under the coalition versus under a Harper majority; I would be more assured that the coalition would do more cumulatively for families and child care under the coalition versus under a Harper majority.

5. Taxation under the coalition versus under a Harper majority; I would be more assured that average Canadian families and small to medium sized business would fare better than banks and oil companies under the coalition versus a Harper majority.

6. Peacekeeping and defense under the coalition versus under a Harper majority; I would be more assured that Canada would play a more vital and peaceful role under the coalition versus under a Harper majority. Further I would be more assured that veterans would have a higher standard of living and receive the necessary health care they need under the coalition versus under a Harper majority.

7. Crime under the coalition versus crime under a Harper majority; I would feel much more assured that the coalition would steer us away from failed American crime policy and more toward the "Canadian" system of justice and further the RCMP leadership would have a chance of recovering from the mess created by Stephen Harper. Additionally - I would be much more assured that the coalition would defend Canadians charged and held in other countries than I would under a Harper majority.

8. The Economy under the coalition versus the economy under a Harper majority; I am certain the economy would continue to improve under the coalition as most of our recovery was because a) the opposition parties forced Harper and Flaherty to set objectives for incentives during the downturn caused by corporate corruption and illegal activity and b) the banking system in Canada (which was established under all parties historically) was not as impacted as other jurisdictions.

9. Regional Representation under the coalition versus under a Harper majority; I know that regions of the country would be better represented under the coalition versus under a Harper majority. The Prairie provinces and British Columbia would certainly be protected with NDP input, Ontario under both Liberal and NDP input, Quebec under Bloc, NDP, and Liberal input, the Maritime provinces with Liberal and NDP input, and Newfoundland and Labrador with input under Liberal and NDP. A Harper majority is the most divisive possibility for election outcome and poses the greatest threat of breaking up the country.

10. Trust and Accountability under the coalition versus under a Harper majority; There is no doubt - after the display under a minority Harper government - that if given a majority the contempt would increase exponentially and Harper would believe that Canadians sent him a message of "we don't care" about the law, rules, protocol, transparency and trust - if a majority was achieved. I further am more assured - with an annoyed Conservative opposition that they would do everything possible to out any wrongdoings by the coalition.

So there you have the bogeyman exposed - are you afraid of a coalition? I am not and that is why Harper has not achieved the majority he so hungers for.

CTV Conservative Television

I watched the round up of the first day of campaigning presented by CTV National.

There is no other way to put this - the station is bias. Now some of you are saying - yeah we already know - however this is not a case of leaning right - it is a case of preaching right.

Harper wants the campaign about coalition - the CTV delivers. Harper wants to scare Canadians with his take on a coalition - CTV delivers. Harper wants to blame the "Opposition" parties for an "unnecessary" election - the CTV delivers.

They used a "sampling" of opinions on whether Canadians want another election - or so they say. We as viewers should demand we hear the question from the reporter - then the answer by a "Canadian". Further the sampling of opinion only included Canadians that were upset at having another election.

We then hear the CTV reporter or anchor use the word "charges" when referring to Harper and government in contempt of parliament and breaking the Elections Act. The CTV is careful not to say a finding of contempt.

They are also specifically targeting Ignatieff's leadership - both from Harper and then the chosen clip from Layton.

The CTV reporters did not focus on Harper's refusal to answer questions - the day the government fell yet absolutely hounded Ignatieff regarding a possible "coalition". The network is doing nothing to explain the history of coalitions and the fact they are as democratic a result as continuing minorities. In fact the same minority - over and over - just tells me that Canadians are afraid - not of a coalition - but afraid of a Harper majority.

Robert Fife may as well sign himself up as part of the Harper re-election team - not as somebody assigned to cover his campaign.

Some reporters and journalists complain about blogs and question the validity of what you - the reader - might find there. I would suggest to the CTV that social media such as blogs, twitter, and facebook will takeover from traditional media coverage this election - and  if they keep up their bias - the CTV will cause the demise of any credibility they have left.

The CTV has a responsibility to report without bias and if they wish to present a "right" opinion - leave it to their numerous pundits. In this way the CTV will treat Canadians as if they are intelligent and expect their journalists to provide information not opinion.

Finally the mainstream media are all reporting that "coalition" is the dominant theme so far. How is that - who is deciding that Coalition is what is on the minds of Canadians? Who is driving the "Coalition" discussion?
Oh you mean the media is driving "Coalition". I expect more from all Canadian TV, Print, and Radio News coverage. Is this what you - the media - think your power should be used for?

CO-A-LI-TION threatens Flaherty. Democracy under Attack by Conservatives

It is almost embarrassing that Harper has ordered our troops into another war zone - in the name of democracy - when he undercuts our system every chance he gets.

CO-A-LI-TION Jim Flaherty enunciated in the House of Commons yesterday. He was angry, frustrated, and generally behaving in a way unbecoming a Finance Minister. Coalition Minister Flaherty is possible under our Democratic process and is not something you should use as a fear tactic. It is no more fearful than a minority acting as a majority - or using the House of Commons to mislead - or breaking laws under the Elections Act.

Let me try this one PA-ROGU-ING the House of Commons and the misuse of the Governor General's office as a matter of political expedience.

The Conservatives would have Canadians believe that elections are a bad thing. If that's the case they should have acted like a CO-A-LI-TION and found a way to satisfy the majority of the House of Commons (the peoples' representatives).

The Conservatives would have us believe that a CO-A-LI-TION is evil - yet something they were willing to do for political expedience. They have significant allies they have agreed to go into Libya with (the UK) who are operating under an "evil" CO-A-LI-TION.

The Conservatives are the most anti-democratic lot I have ever seen.

They lie to the electorate for a vote.
They cheat during an election for a vote.
They mislead Canadians in the HOC after the vote.

They have lied on income trusts, an elected and effective Senate, equalization, accountability, and patronage - and they are not telling the whole truth about not wanting an election. It may certainly stop the continued hemorrhaging of information which would make most Canadians not trust a word out of their mouths.

Harper needs to move to a country which accommodates his belief that he is entitled to power.

Polls and Promises the Art of selling out Newfoundland and Labrador

Finally it appears that all political parties in Ottawa are going to hold Harper and his cronies to account. The lying, cheating, and misleading all leave a bad taste in the mouths of Canadians.

I sat and watched the budget yesterday - and wondered - what is the truth? Is Flaherty telling me the truth? Then I quickly reminded myself that he and his colleagues have cooked up some more politics, partisan tripe, and outright spin to see if they can't make it on third down? If all else fails Harper might want to try the US to see if he can make the end line of a fourth down attempt or just agree to pack it in and kick it off to the other team.

What I liked most about the commentary yesterday was the corporate elite telling Canadians - we do not want another election. Banks broadcasting that they was a 5 fold return on investment in the next quarter or half and major faceless shareholders drooling over yet more corporate tax cuts. Corporations do not vote! They do not own our election process - although arguably own quite a number of our politicians.

Then there were the media gurus who had Jack Layton supporting the budget before he left the House - only to be wrong as Jack first took to the mics. You got to give him his due - the Leader of the NDP - as he waited and waited for the Bloc and Liberals to state the obvious - and then after all were finished he arrived to a throng of childlike reporters hanging on to his every word.

Perhaps this election will see the virtual end to the Green Party and perhaps the birth of another to take its place. At the moment the Green's appear to be one very large employer for Elizabeth May and one very considerate draw on taxpayer voting dollars. I would like to see a few more parties in Canada - with choices more like the Bloc but for the rest of us. We need somebody to push for the real changes we need such as reform or abolition of the Senate, the restructuring of our confederation, equity for smaller provinces, equalization that does not punish the development of non-renewable resources, and parties that recognize that people not corporations - vote.

If they want to talk about fiscal responsibility as the Conservatives love to yammer on about - let's try to let them sink or swim on their own - the Conservatives do this but to average Canadians not failing mega-corps. Jim Flaherty like some of his past colleagues (now residing in corporate positions) believe they work for banks - not Canadians. When Flaherty gives yet another tax break to the largest of the largest publicly traded conglomerate - he his doing so with our money - not his.

We will soon find out if political prostitution is alive and well in our province - as we all await what Ms. Dunderdale will recommend to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. Will she forget about the 10 billion lost when Harper lied to Williams and to our people - just to fan dangle a loan guarantee for the Muskrat Falls development. A loan guarantee that we would not need if Harper had not screwed us on equalization - rendering our oil revenues a punishment not a mover for our long-term economic stability. Will our Premier - so desperate for the Emera deal - ignore the injustices perpetrated by the Harper administration and move us toward negotiating away even more of our future for that line to Nova Scotia?

The Harper government really needed to shut down the string of lies, deception, and manipulative practises - and so they completed a half-arse election budget knowing that an agreement would not be reached with other parties. Funny it is - watching Harper govern as a majority despite the minority reality - and up until yesterday the other parties allowed this to be.

And so today as I listen to the pundits tell me over and over again on our national media circuit - that Canadians do not want an election - I will remind myself that I must be in the minority - one who believes that parliamentary rules do matter - the truth from politicians must be paramount - and that these elected representatives are answerable to the people  not the creepy animated character in some bank advertisement.

Where do I mark my X - I am still on the ABC campaign - as I assume our Premier will be. I wonder if Harper will "promise" a loan guarantee to Dunderdale for the hydro legacy of shame and if Dunderdale will accept that promise like others before her? Will she join the long list of politicians who will sell out this province cheaply and conservatively?

The Conservatives broke the Law now we need to Punish not Rehabilitate them

1.  The Conservative Fund Canada,
   Douglas M. Finley,
   Irving Gerstein,
   Michael Donison and
   Susan J. Kehoe,
   
   Between November 1^st, 2005 and January 23^rd, 2006, in the City of Ottawa, in the Province of Ontario and elsewhere in Canada, did wilfully incur election expenses in relation to the 39th federal general election that exceeded the maximum of $18, 278, 278.64 for the Conservative Party of Canada, contrary to Section 423 (1) of the Canada Elections Act and did thereby commit an offence punishable on summary conviction contrary to Sections 497 (3) (g) and 500 (5) (a) of the said Act.
   
   
2. The Conservative Party of Canada,
   
   Between November 1^st, 2005 and January 23^rd, 2006, in the City of Ottawa, in the Province of Ontario and elsewhere in Canada, being a registered party whose chief agent, the Conservative Fund Canada, did wilfully incur election expenses in relation to the 39th federal general election that exceeded the maximum of $18, 278, 278.64 for the Conservative Party of Canada, contrary to Sections 423 (1) and 497 (3) (g) of the Canada Elections Act is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction contrary to Section 507 of the said Act.
   
   
3. The Conservative Fund Canada and
   Irving Gerstein,
   
   Between January 23^rd, 2006 and December 18^th, 2006, in the City of Ottawa, in the Province of Ontario, did provide the Chief Electoral Officer with a return on the general election expenses of the Conservative Party of Canada, in relation to the 39^th federal general election, that they knew or ought reasonably to have known contained a materially false or misleading statement, namely that all election expenses in respect of the 39^th federal general election had been properly recorded, contrary to Section 431 (a) of the Canada Elections Act and did thereby commit an offence punishable on summary conviction contrary to Sections 497 (3) (m) (ii) and 500 (5) (a) of the said Act.
   
   
4. The Conservative Party of Canada,
   
   Between January 23^rd, 2006 and December 18^th, 2006, in the City of Ottawa, in the Province of Ontario, being a registered party whose chief agent, the Conservative Fund Canada, did provide the Chief Electoral Officer with a return on its general election expenses, in relation to the 39^th federal general election, that the Conservative Fund Canada knew or ought reasonably to have known contained a materially false or misleading statement, namely that all election expenses in respect of the 39^th federal general election had been properly recorded, contrary to Sections 431 (a) and 497 (3) (m) (ii) of the Canada Elections Act is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction contrary to Section 507 of the said Act.

The above statements can be found at Elections Canada Online

Hey Canada the Conservatives broke the LAW.

They broke the law, they broke the law, they broke the law, they broke the law.

So the prison zealots - who so wish for American justice and their constitution - no second chance kinda gang - broke the law.

The holier than thou - nice neat right wing Harperites - punishment first and maybe rehabilitation second want us Canadians to allow them to rehabilitate first. No you will be punished first. That means we throw them out of office and they can run again once they have served their time out of office. And we Canadians think that harsher penalties for first time offenders might thwart other parties from doing the same thing. So let's say we punish them for at least two terms out of office.

These hypocritical self-serving cheaters need to be sent their own message.

Is there a problem with media on the Hill? Must be because they have not got the guts to say what Canadians are thinking. They keep skirting the real issue by entertaining Conservative talking heads with speaking notes repeating over and over "I have here in my hand the NDP...I have here in my hand the Liberal..." so what?

Who is charged with violating the Canada Elections Act? Please refer to the beginning of this post.

Are the Conservatives in power? Yes - so they must be held to the highest accountability level.

I expect my MP's from Newfoundland and Labrador to verbally hammer these people in the HOC until they leave their seats in shame. I also expect the same from my public broadcaster.

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.