How do you spell democracy?

Anyone who thinks Canadian politics is boring must be scratching their heads right now, because it’s become quite interesting.  Currently, for anyone who has not noticed, there is something happening that some might call a “constitutional crisis.”  Basically, the Conservatives were re-elected with a minority in parliament (they have more seats than any other one party, but not more seats than all the other parties combined).  The Liberal party lost a number of seats, and the leader resigned, thereby setting the stage for a leadership review.  The other two parties consist of a slightly-left of centre party (the New Democrats) and a Quebec-focused “Bloc Quebecois.”

The Conservatives (aka Tories), seeing a weak Liberal party, decided it seems to act as if they had a majority, thinking that they would not face any united opposition.  They presented some legislation that offered nothing in the way of economic stimulus to the economy, cut funding to all political parties, and denied federal civil servants the right to strike (among other things).  All of these may not be a big deal to you, but in this current economic climate, where a lot of industrialized countries are pumping billions of dollars into the economy to keep it going, to do nothing is tremendously irresponsible.

On top of that, the cutting of funding to political parties has a bit of a history.  Less than a decade ago the then-governing Liberal party passed a law that would limit the amount of campaign contributions parties could accept, in an attempt to reduce the power of lobbyists and corporate interests.  To avoid completely decimating the coffers of the parties, they included a proviso that gave each party money based upon the number of votes it received in the previous election.  I think the amount was indexed to inflation, and currently it is about $1.95 per vote.

The thing about that funding is that, not only was it created to reduce influencing peddling and pressure from rich interests, but it also allowed each person the sense that, even if their party did not win the seat or the election, each vote counted for something.

However paltry you think $1.95 is, it is the only truly democratic thing about our first-past the post electoral system.  In this system, a party that has 38% of the popular vote can still win a strong minority if not a majority government, because the other parties split the vote. At least with this funding structure, your vote counts even if your party loses.

This is what happened in October: the Tories returned to power with about 38% of the popular vote.  Although 62% or so of voters wanted other parties, the Tories got power.

So now, after the Tories presented this non-stimulus, heavily partisan and really quite right-wing policy (denying unionized workers the right to strike?), the opposition parties got together and negotiated an alliance to defeat the government.  This is how our parliamentary system operates, and while unprecedented in Canadian politics, it is both legal and, in my opinion, a very good idea.

You see, the last election was a mess.  The government was running along relatively smoothly, and although it had a minority government, the Tories seemed to be able to work with the opposition to make things work.  It was rancorous, and noisy, and messy, and required negotiation (characteristic of a minority) rather than (characteristic of a majority) pushing policy through without any need to negotiate (with the representatives of 60% or so of the electorate!).  But they decided parliament wasn’t working, and went to the polls.  Oh, and this is after they passed a law that mandated set election periods of every four years unless the government was defeated.  This government wasn’t defeated: they dissolved parliament in a way that  seems to have been contrary to their own legislation.  And what resulted was a slightly larger minority, and far fewer people voting at all–probably out of frustration.

Now the prime minister has decided that he will ask the governor general to “prorogue” parliament, essentially ending parliament early until after Christmas.  Parliament has been in session for two weeks, and has really gotten nothing done.  He has delayed this non-economic stimulus legislation to delay a “confidence motion” because he knows he’ll be defeated.

He made a deep strategic error, and as a result, showed his true colours as a vicious demagogue who sees opposition as a problem to be crushed rather than a voice of other Canadians who simply don’t agree with him.  It reminds me of what Hitler did after becoming Chancellor, declaring all other parties illegal and ignoring the constitution.

But I’d never call Harper Hitler.  Though both names begin with H, end with R and have six letter, Harper isn’t a failed artist.  He cut funding to the arts.

So here we are.  The Prime Minister is going to address the nation, justifying his vicious partisan attack and trying to spin this as the opposition’s attack on democracy.  Legal, constitutional and representative, but clearly not good enough for Harper.

Then I get this email from some dipshit friend of a friend.

I recognize that many of my friends vote differently than I do and that diversity makes this country the best in the world.

You may not agree with the present government but voting against this coalition is the right thing to do as consent will undermine all that our forefathers have worked hard to build: DEMOCRACY.

Approval of this coalition open’s a ‘Pandora’s Box’ and most importantly sends a clear message to our youth that their vote DOES NOT count.

(The best thing about Canada is that a democracy gives you the right to agree, sign & forward this e-mail, or disagree and delete )

Please take a moment to express your thoughts about our current political situation!  PLEASE FORWARD to as many CANADIANS as possible.

No – this isn’t a chain letter.  No, you won’t have good luck or win the lottery, but you may just get the opportunity to exercise your right to vote, instead of having your vote erased by those that claim to “know better” than we as the Canadian electorate.

Signing takes only a minute, forwarding just a second – the results can last a lifetime!

Dear dumbass.  Look up “democracy” and then look up “majority rules” and then

You’re an idiot.