I am a coalitionist !

Democracy is very basic. Each person gets one vote. The people whom receive the majority of these votes, have the right to form a government and make laws and policies. If the individual voter is not satisfied with these decisions, they can vote for the people whom offer policies more to their liking.

When no one receives a majority of votes, the candidates work out agreements and policies, that will allow coalitions to form . These can be informal, such as Harper’s last minority Government, or formal, like the various coalition Governments found throughout Western Democratic history. Israel, Italy and Spain are a few recent examples.

For the Canadian Conservatives like Stephen Harper, to scream out the socialists are coming, or to call the formation of a coalition government an undemocratic power grab, is nonsense, pure and simple, not to mention hypocritical(see above). We must always work together using clear rules and procedures, which are pragmatic in their conception. Governments that show the ability to work with their opposition are exactly what we need to foster. These coalitions ensure all sides of the political democracy are given a platform to express their ideas and to contribute constructive criticisms, not cheap political shots.

Perhaps Steve should pick up the phone and call the leader of the Opposition to inquire whether he would be interested in forming a coalition. This might be the only way Harper can remain in power, at a time we need to concentrate on the economy ‘stupid’. Calling an election now or having Dion the non leader as PM are not realistic options.

Let the Cons work with the NDP and the Liberals, in a coalition, for the next while. The Liberals are having a helm change in May and the coalition could have a best before date sometime in 2010, after the Liberals have formulated policy under their new leader and the NDP has had a chance to show it can work within a coalition of opposites. Thus reducing the Cons favorite battle cry of “the commies are coming” to a more reasonable,
“social democrats are kinda just like a gentle and strong person, one that looks out for the rest of us.