It is that time of year again. . .
It is that time again when Canadians will cast the deciding factor in Monday’s national elections while some quasi-hopefuls like yours truly have already voted in anticipation and are just waiting for the other shoe to drop.
In what will be an ostentatious and perhaps a close race on Monday, I fear that we are in for a long, reactionary reign unless my fellow citizens accord the Conservatives a minority government which we can, I suppose, settle for faced with a rock and a hard place situation.
It is no secret that I am passionately opposed to the Conservatives; I am also afraid that the Bloc Quebecois will continue to drive a wedge between the various federalist parties, their supporters and the public. Come to think of it, Gilles Duceppe, the BQ leader, is the man of the hour. Unlike the other party leaders and prime minister hopefuls, he knows that his separatist party in opposition is under no pressure at the eleventh hour. Instead, he is garnering support and free publicity, not to mention $1.75 in government subsidies for every vote that he skilfully wins. It riles me to think of him, specially considering the fact that he is running to separate our beloved country, given half the chance.
The Liberals are in a pitiful place and I would really be surprised, if not shocked if they manage to hold on to some key ridings, let alone win (even in a minority setting). I do not dislike the Liberals, really. In fact, I had voted for the Liberals by default since I was of age until recently. It is my hope that the NDP will continue to accumulate seats in order to have a stronger voice in parliament (to hopefully represent the under-represented).
Still, the possibility of a Conservative minority government is looking to be a sure thing now. I suppose that we can survive it provided that it is ephemeral and that this time away from the limelight provides the Liberals a chance to get their shit together and gradually stabilize and strengthen from within. Time will tell how the dice will turn next time around, but as a social democrat, I am more and more fearful of Steven Harper and his conservative step into the dark ages.
Posted by Saro 