Op-Ed: Canadian Version Of Circus Circus?

Snatching disaster from recent embarrassing failure, Dion, Deceppe and Layton today pretended righteous indignation at the Harper Government’s failure to provide ample bailout money to the Canadian economy.

Canadian taxpayers during various stages of their evening dinner were rudely interrupted by the sight of the three opposition party heads, signing a proclamation of coalition. “What? Quick, help me with the heimlich manoeurvre. I’m choking. Is that Dion angrily spewing some diatribe about $30 billion stimulus or something? For what? That’s all we need. More debt, so our taxes will go up. I’m not feeling so well. Pass the Tums.” The three leaders pretending to have been pushed into a corner masqueraded, with certain doses of fervent earnestness, their usurpation of power from Prime Minister Harper. Unable to hide zealous nervousness, Dion in particular, looked like he was doing something he knew he shouldn’t, but was going to act like a determined and purposeful man on a mission. His flushed cheeks were only slightly less crimson than Duceppe’s. This was no somber, thoughtful, or sincere presentation unfolding. Stunned, and almost confused by the developing drama in Ottawa, the majority of Canadians might have initially felt embarrassed for the three players. But only momentarily. The embarrassment turned inward. What have these people done to Canada? Canada is in the best financial position of any of the developed countries. While there is clearly a slowdown, this is absolutely not the time to rush into any bailouts or artificial stimulations of any corners of the economy, as the three coalition leaders are planning. This is certainly not the time to send Canada into deficit spending, and adding significantly to its debt. Rushed commitments to throw billions at the auto industry, which appears at the top of the coalition plan, is utter nonsense. The U.S. owns the auto companies, and the U.S. government has yet to decide what to do with Detroit. As if the insanity wasn’t defined enough, one CBC interviewer suggested that Canada should be launching its own stimulus programs because other countries were doing it. …. When did this kind or reasoning become sound? It evidently finds approval with some NDP and Liberal supporters, but surely not all of them. This is utter madness. It is evident that while Mr. Layton had for some time entertained working with the Duceppe contingent, the two found a very ready, and willing ego in Dion. Dion never found favor with Canadians, and completely lost the support of his own party, which has been planning to replace him. This is his chance to enter the history books and go out in flames, joining hands with separatists. Some legacy. It also provides Ignatieff, and Rae the opportunity to watch him flail in the winds of Canadians’ disbelief. The charade may backfire on the two princes in waiting, and leave the Liberal party in even worse shape when this fiasco is over. The only ones who will remain laughing when the circus tent comes down will be Duceppe, and his separatist supporters. Canadian taxpayers will not, and should not have patience for this coalition, and we can anticipate that their bank accounts will react angrily. James Raider writes the The Pacific Gate Post