Quelle Surprise

It looks like no one is super in favour of a coalition government. I took some time to read over the editorial columns of newspapers from across the country, and it's pretty predictable.

The Calgary Herald is firmly against it, but that's no surprise. The West is largely conservative blue and as some have said, a coalition government backed by Quebec separatists would make many be-spurred oilmen very unhappy.

On the other hand, The Chronicle Herald is not so very against the idea, and thinks we should give it a go. Again not a surprise, since us Maritimers tend to be a little more Liberal when we vote. We tend to feel alienated easily, but no one really cares since it's Western votes that ultimately determine the outcome (i.e. Atlantic provinces voted strongly in favour of the Liberals, but the Conservatives still "won").

I personally enjoyed The National Post article penned by David Frum (and not just because his mom was an excellent Muppet).

And if you're still paying attention... I don't think it's a good idea. One comment I read said that whoever leads this coalition will never be able to say, "This is the job Canadians elected me to do" - which says a lot about the character of this political game.

The NDP are going to have ministerial portfolios???!? A party that has never held power on the national stage like, ever?? It's ridiculous! And of course the Bloc will get theirs too... if Quebec ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.

This is what happens when just over half of us show up at the polls. If we wanted something decisive more of us should have made a decision. I wonder what would happen this time if there was voter turn out like in 1958? I just re-read that article... the similarities are fascinating (maybe it's just me).

Who ever said Canadian politics were boring??