bear-i-tone on 12/8/2008 8:33 AM I think you nailed it with the "they're politicians, after all" line. They are all power hungry, and I trust none of them.

You are off on one point, though. Harper was not elected by the majority of Canadians. He was elected by a minority vote. Technically, the Liberals and the NDP had more votes between them than the Conseratives.

History is a little ambiguous as to who comes out the better in these power struggles. The King Byng Wing Ding of the twenties seems to be a precedent, but there are not clear analogues this time around. That case, King retain power by forming an alliance with the Progressive party. He ruled for a year and was about to lose a non confidence vote when he decided to call another election. Governor General Byng pointed out that there was an alection less than a year ago in which the Conservative party won the most seats and King's new election campaign was nothing more than a dodge. Arthur Meighan was allowed to form a government. However, at that time, if you were promoted to a cabinet position in the middle of your term, you had to resign your seat in the house and seek re-election. Meighan resigned his seat to be re-elected as Prime minister. The day he resigned King called a non- confidence vote which defeated Meighan's government by one vote. In the new election King claimed a constitutional crisis and was re-elected with a majority.

All I see here is evidence that this power play could blow up in both their faces.

Also, You claim the Liberals are doing this with the help of the Bloc. True. But the Conservatives' previous majority also ruled with the support of the Bloc. Everyone is dirty in this game, there are no angels up on Parliament Hill. Only Angles and Advantages.

Matthew on 12/8/2008 8:51 AM Thank you for your comment, and the historical perspective you provide.

I completely agree with you about not trusting any of them. Harper, Dion and the rest are all made from the same stuff.

What is most frustrating in our political system is that for any government to rule it needs the support of the Bloc.

bear-i-tone on 12/8/2008 10:52 AM Not necessarily. It is still possible to get a majority government even with the Bloc present. Unfortunately, as more parties accumulate the likelihood of a majority disappates. We may end up with a situation like fsome of the European governments, which have dozens of parties. Italy had minority governments and elections every year for about ten years at one point.