Harper and More Coalition Threat Nonsense

Further proof that Harper says one thing and means another can be found with his recent speech (actually a rehash of a speech he gave right after meeting Obama)

But if he's going to try to use the old coalition threat, his hypocrisy will not be lost. I intend to post his own backroom deals everywhere I can.

http://pushedleft.blogspot.com/2009/08/important-history-lesson-before.html

http://pushedleft.blogspot.com/2009/08/stockwell-day-lied-through-his-teeth.html

There is also an interesting op-ed piece from Susan Delacourt with the Toronto Star

The scary coalition
September 10, 2009

I was actually impressed when the leaders of the opposition parties got together and signed a deal by which they could be asked by the Governor-General to take power without an election. Good thinking -- minorities are all about co-operation and coalitions.

No, I'm not talking about late last year. I'm talking about 2004, when a guy named Stephen Harper mustered up the collective weight of the opposition against Paul Martin and wrote this letter to the Governor-General.

As leaders of the opposition parties, we are well aware that, given the Liberal minority government, you could be asked by the Prime Minister to dissolve the 38th Parliament at any time should the House of Commons fail to support some part of the government’s program. We respectfully point out that the opposition parties, who together constitute a majority in the House, have been in close consultation. We believe that, should a request for dissolution arise this should give you cause, as constitutional practice has determined, to consult the opposition leaders and consider all of your options before exercising your constitutional authority. Your attention to this matter is appreciated.

If Harper is going to go on the election warpath with speeches like the one we saw last night on CBC TV (all that's missing is his tinfoil hat), and if it works, then he is absolutely correct to conclude that the Canadian public is stupid. Or that we don't have access to the Internet, and interviews such as this one.

Let's recap: Stephen Harper, circa 2004, thought there was nothing wrong with getting the Bloc's signature to make a bid for power -- without an election. Stephen Harper, circa 2009, tells us that this is the most frightening thing in the world. Because it threatens his power.

Political debate would be far more interesting/productive in this country if people's memories stretched longer than the life span of a fruit fly.

Mine definitely stretches longer than the life span of a fruit fly.