Jesus Loves Your Mom

I can think about nearly a hundred amendments that aught to be suggested by the most powerful man in Canada, and the one previously mentioned must be non-negotiable. I have full confidence that Mr. Iggnatieff will suggest amendments tomorrow and let the government know that they are not going to support the “Action Plan” unless the amendments are enacted. The budget is definitely optimistic as to where the floor of this recession is and doesn’t seem likely to spark surpluses after the recession.

Also, as I mentioned already; Jim Flaherty is trying to do what George Bush did in trying to remove obstacles like oversight in making executive decisions. If it were Ralph Goodale, I could agree with it…  even if it were Gilles Duceppe I could agree with it more than I can when it is Jim “I hate poor people” Flaherty.

The exact wording he used in his speech on the budget was, “recent history tells us we must take nothing for granted. Canadians need to be confident that their government has the ability to respond to unforeseen crises. For that reason, our government proposes to give the Minister of Finance the authority required to act quickly to protect the country’s financial system, should it ever come under significant additional pressure. This will include the authority to provide loans and lines of credit, and the provision and payment of guarantees. And it will enable the government to inject capital directly into federal financial institutions, should such a measure ever be necessary. We do not foresee the need to use this authority. But we have a duty to be prepared, should the unforeseen suddenly emerge.”

Now, I’m not one for rehashing the past, but Flaherty and Harper both said that Canada would not be in recession. That means that the unforeseen is already here. They both said that there would be no deficit, so again, this is unforeseen. And still, with $34 billion in overspending there’s really only in the teens of billions of new spending in this budget, so obviously we were heading towards a deficit before the recession because of their corporate tax cuts and over spending from previous budgets. We might even have a deficit in this fiscal year that is being hidden, so when they chose to reveal that, it will be an “unforeseen” event “suddenly emerging”.

If Iggnatieff allows the Harper government to get away with this one…  boooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Jim Flaherty, a man known for cooking books, is presenting a budget that includes a provision for the Minister of Finance to have fewer restrictions and hoops to jump through when he decides it is in the best interest of the country to act. His office has caused a deficit, that will likely begin in this fiscal year, that has been kept hidden from the public (it is slowly coming to light), and now he is trying to clear the way to do as he wishes with the federal coffers whenever he deems necessary. This will have to be a non-negotiable rejection. If Iggnatieff lets this one issue through I will petition Bob Rae to run for leadership as soon as possible.

In a minority government, the leader of the opposition is essentially the most powerful man in Canada. Tonight the Honourable Michael Iggnatieff has the responsibility to read through the entire proposed Canadian Budget and find common ground with the government proposal and find differences. He should then come back to the House of Commons with proposed changes to the budget some of which would be non-negotiable, and some negotiable. If the government will not concede the non-negotiable changes it will fall. At such a point we are unlikely to have another costly federal election after four months of inaction during the biggest global economic downturn in time memorable, and should expect a coalition government. If however the Conservative government concedes all points non-negotiable and many points negotiable, the coalition will fall and the Conservatives will remain in power, until such a time as they do not cooperate with the Liberal Party of Canada.

Essentially, the coalition government is not a power grab for the Liberals, they have it.

Historically in Canada, being conservative has meant a lot of good things like strong Christian morality, fiscal responsibility, loyalty to the British Crown and Westminster style parliamentary system, small government and low taxes. All that Stephen Harper has managed to prove he believes in is lower taxes for the richest Canadians and cancelling funding to many of Canada’s social programs, especially those that help the social outcast. Harper has the largest government in Canadian history, he seems to have nothing but contempt for the parliamentary system and no respect for the Crown, and has actually increased government spending while cutting social programs and lowering taxes for the richest Canadians. Twice he has appointed Jim Flaherty, a man who hates poor people, as Minister of Finance for the sole purpose of antagonising homelessness activist, Jack Layton, Leader of the Third Opposition. He lost the last election, which he called against his own law for the sole purpose of garnering a majority government. After losing that campaign with more support from fewer Canadians (by that I mean, more seats in the House of Commons from 160 000 fewer votes) Stephen Harper again attacked the parliamentary system calling the potential coalition government in waiting to be “undemocratic”, which it isn’t, “unCanadian”, which it isn’t, and undermining, which just goes to show, it was a play out of Stephen Harper’s own play-book.

I, Timothy Favelle, type all of this without any fear of libel suit, knowing full well the facts of every statement made. I am a Liberal who has never supported the regressive Conservative Party, but I have voted PC under Joe Clarke. Provincially I support my second-cousin, the Leader of the BC NDP Carole James. I would be willing to argue politics with anyone who wishes to contact me at timotheos@jesuslovesyourmom.net

The Liberal Party looks like it’s gearing up for another quick election. The Conservatives have been geared up for it since losing the last one (they were trying for a majority and they still are). The NDP and Bloc are ready to look past party lines to rid Canada of it’s worst case scenario, and will either support the Liberals in government or the coming election.

Firstly in Central Nova neither the NDP or Liberals should have someone run against May and MacKay. If the other parties don’t run in each of these races, it would be in the best interest of Canadians, as results from the election a few weeks ago show win ability for the non-Conservative.
Keith Milligan Lib vs. Gail Shea
Gordon Earle NDP vs. Gerald Keddy
Robert Thibault Lib vs. Greg Kerr
David Innes Lib vs. Keith Ashfield
Charles Hubbard Lib vs. Tiley O’Neil-Gordon
Paul Zed Lib vs. Rodney Weston
Éléonore Mainguy BQ vs. Sylvie Boucher
Denis Courteau BQ vs. Daniel Petit
Cindy Duncan McMillan Lib vs. Lawrence Duncan
Claude Pilote BQ vs. Denis Lebel
Lloyd St. Amand Lib vs. Phil McColeman
Susan Whelan Lib vs. Jeff Watson
Dan Boudria Lib vs. Pierre Lemieux
Eric Hoskins Lib vs.Diane Finley
Garth Turner Lib vs. Lisa Raitt
Greg McClinchey Lib vs. Ben Lobb
Roger Valley Lib vs. Greg Rickford
Karen Redman Lib vs. Stephen Woodworth
Andrew Telegdi Lib vs. Peter Braid
Sue Barnes Lib vs. Ed Holder
Omar Alghabra Lib vs. Bob Dechert
Tim Jones Lib vs Lois Brown
Lui Temelkovski Lib vs. Paul Calandra
M.A. Bonnie Brown Lib vs. Terrence Young
Mike Sheilds NDP vs. Colin Carrie
Marc Godbout Lib vs. Royal Galipeau
David Pratt Lib vs. John Baird
Walt Lastewka Lib vs. Rick Dykstra
Susan Kadis Lib vs. Peter Kent
Peggy Nash NDP vs. Jim Flaherty
Raymond Simard Lib vs. Shelly Glover
John Loewen Lib vs. Rod Bruinooge
David Orchard Lib vs. Rob Clarke
Don Mitchell NDP vs. Hon. Ray Boughen
Nettie Wiebe NDP vs. Kelly Block
Kirt Kootoo Ejesiak Lib vs. Leona Aglukkaq
James Ford Ind. Vs. Tim Uppal
Brenda Locke Lib. vs. Nina Grewal
Micheal Crawford NDP vs. Cathy McLeod
Zeni Maartman NDP vs. James Lunney
Don Bell Lib vs. Andrew Saxton
Briony Penn Lib. vs. Gary Lunn
Rachid Arab NDP vs. Dona Cadman
Catherine Bell NDP vs. John Duncan
Ian Sutherland Lib vs. John Weston

That’s 46 seats fewer than the Conservatives have now leaving them with 97, with most of their support in Alberta. 32 More for the Liberals making 108,  9 more NDP for a total of 46, three more Bloc making them 53 MPs strong. This would make a Liberal minority government, who are already on a first name basis with three other parties that would be represented in this House of Commons. Even if only half of these works out, the coalition would still have a minority government, and if only half of them worked out, the coalition would be in government. Hopefully the parties can get along for the good of the naion and we can get rid of Harper.

So I wrote a petition to the Conservative Party calling for a leadership review and so far it has one signature.

Only five days ago before any talk of a coalition government, the Conservative Party of Canada could have removed the Honourable Jim Flaherty from his appointment as Minister of Finance and appeased the opposition. The entire week preceding that, Mr Flaherty could have done as the Right Honourable Stephen Harper had said his government would do and work with the other parties in the house.

If Mr. Harper will call for the resignation of the Honourable Member from Whitby-Oshawa and will allow his own narcissistic leadership to be put on the line in a Conservative Party leadership convention and Parliament is prorogued, the government may again receive confidence from the house by the time it resumes. I doubt it will though because the problem with narcissists is that if they lead they tend to be very persuasive and Harper will likely retain his position after the leadership convention. If however he chooses not to run for leadership, the Conservative governance may endure. This is the only way that proroguing parliament would work.

The Liberal/NDP agreement came out yesterday as I was figuring out where the top 40 bureaucrats of the three parties would best fit. Now I have to redo the whole thing with new and correct information. The Coalition Government will be dividing all cabinet posts to 24 Ministers. My hope is that is looks something like this:

The Right Honourable Stephane Dion, Prime Minister of Canada – Liberal

Minister of Finance - Hon. Ralph Goodale – Liberal
Minister of National Defence -Hon. Scott Brison – Liberal
Minister of Health – Hon. Dr. Caroline Bennet – Liberal
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister – Hon. Jack Layton – New Democrat
Minister of Justice and Attorney General – Hon. Ujjal Dosanjh – Liberal
Minister of The Environment – Hon. Ken Dryden – Liberal
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister for the Asia/Pacific Gateway – Hon. Libby Davies – New Democrat
Minister of Industry and President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada – Hon. Gerrard Kennedy – Liberal
Minister of Indian and Inuit Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians – Hon. Todd Russell – Liberal
Minister of Veterans Issues and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway – Hon. Lawrence MacAulay – Liberal
Minister of National Revenue and President of the Treasury Board – Hon. Hedy Fry – Liberal
Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism – Hon. Olivia Chow – New Democrat
Minister of Labour – Hon. Justin Trudeau – Liberal
Minister of Public Works and Government Services -Hon. Marleen Jennings – Liberal
Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development – Hon. Paul Dewer – New Democrat
Minister of Natural Resources – Hon. Ruby Dhalla – Liberal
Minister of International Trade – Hon. David McGuinty – Liberal
Minister of Heritage and Official Languages – Hon. Rob Oliphant – Liberal
Minister of International Cooperation -Hon. Francis Scarpaleggia  – Liberal
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-foods and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board – Hon. Wayne Easter – Liberal
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans – Hon. Peter Stoffer – New Democrat
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities – Hon. Denis Bevvington – New Democrat
Minister of Public Safety – Hon. Martha Hall-Findlay – Liberal

Of course this is only a wishlist, and I would still prefer to have Pierre Paquette on it, but what can you do. Since it is a wishlist I could have said the Right Honourable Bob Rae as PM and Hon. Dion Minister of National Revenue, but I’d really have to redo the whole thing. At any rate, elections are costly, and coalition governments have accomplished among other things, the formation of Canada. December 8th will be a great day in Canadian democracy and assuming the Governor General allows the coalition to rule, it will be a great day for our Constitutional Monarchy.

The Conservatives who recieved 168 737 fewer votes this past election than the previous one have a “stronger” minority Government. Since they thought they were so much stronger and they had bullied the other parties for the past two years, it is no wonder they pushed so hard against the other three parties as they have. The result is that a majority of MPs have no confidence in Stephen Harper as a leader. When they vote on the issue, the Conservative government will fail. (Jack Layton will go down in history as the strongest NDP leader there has ever been.) That said, a coalition government is the best option for Canada, rather than another election.

Now I’m biased in my opinion towards my party anyway, but when you look at the list of people who are running the government Ministries right now, each of the following people in their positions would be better at the job than the person doing it right now. Even when Stephane Dion is replaced as party leader, I think he should not be replaced as Prime Minister until the end of this Parliament. I sure hope that the Parties can reach an agreement that might end up something like this.

Prime Minister the Right Honourable Stephane Dion

Deputy Leader of the Government of the House of Commons and Deputy Prime Minister The Honourable Jack Layton

Leader of the Government of the House of Commons and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs The Honourable Gilles Duceppe

The Liberal Party – 20 Cabinet Ministers Including Dion

Bob Rae – Secretary of State (Transportation)
Carolyn Bennet – Minister of Health
David McGuinty – Minister of International Trade
Francis Scarpaleggia – Minister of Natural Resources
Gerrard Kennedy – Minister of Industry
Hedy Fry – Minister of State (Status of Women)
Justin Trudeau – Minister of State (Youth Issues)
Ken Dryden – Minister of the Environment
Larry Bagnell – Minister of Northern Development
Lawrence MacAulay – Minister of State (Seniors Issues)
Martha Hall-Findlay – Minister of Foreign Affairs
Marleen Jennings – Minister of National Revenue
Michael Ignatieff – Secretary of State (Education)
Ralph Goodale – Minister of National Defence
Rob Oliphant – Co-Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages (in English)
Scott Brison – Minister of Finance
Todd Russell – Minister of First Nations and Inuit Affairs and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians
Ujjal Dosanjh – Minister of Justice and Attorney General
Wayne Easter – Minister of Agriculture and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board

The Bloc Quebecois – 11 Cabinet Ministers including Gilles Duceppe

Pierre Paquette – Minister of State (Democratic Reform)
Christiane Gagnon – Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development
Michel Guimond – Minister of Labour
Claude DeBellefeuille – Minister of the Francophonie
Loius Plamondon – Co-Minister of Canadien Heritage and Official Languages (en Francais)
Mario Laframboise – Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
Serge Cardin – Minister for the Atlantic Gateway
Guy Andre – Minister of Veterans Issues
Paul Crete – Secretary of State (Families)
Pascal-Pierre Paille – Minister of State (Sports)

The New Democratic Party – 9 Cabinet Ministers including Jack Layton

Olivia Chow – Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism
Denis Bevvington – Minister of State (Infrastructure, Transport)
Jean Crowder – Minister of Public Safety
Libby Davies – Minister of Public Works and Government Services
Paul Dewar – President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada
John Rafferty – Minister of International Cooperation
Peter Stoffer – Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
Peter Julian – Minister for the Asia/Pacific Gateway

Independent 2 Cabinet Ministers

Andre Arthur – Chief Government Whip
Bill Casey – President of the Treasury Board

Now Bill Casey might be a hard sell on joining the coalition, but he would be perfect for the job.