Don't Wanna Be a Canadian Idiot

Oh how proud I am that I am Canadian.

Governments and companies all over the world are working furiously to protect their citizens and assets. There are alliances between rivals, unheard of attempts at saving money, and billions of dollars being spent on bailout plans.

And what is the almighty Prime Minister of Canada doing?

Nothing.

Canada, at the moment, has no government.

During a time of economic crisis, where everywhere you turn, people are trying to save the world from implosion, Stephen Harper used the threat of a recession to destroy his opposition. With a bill that would remove tax funding for all parties, the Conservative Party tried to put on a facade of actually caring about the Canadian people by "saving money." Because each Canadian pays $1.90 in taxes that goes straight to government campaigns, Harper thought that would make a huge difference.
With the Conservatives receiving most of their money from private investors, it wasn't a huge deal. But for all the other major parties, it could turn into quite the blow.

So what did they do?

Outraged, the other three parties in the Parliament banded together to form a coalition. Translation?
They decided to hijack the government.
Barely eight weeks ago, we had an election, where about 300 million dollars was wasted on something most Canadians didn't even care about. This 2008 election had the lowest voter turn out in pretty much over a decade, yet the Conservatives did manage to win enough seats to become another minority government.
Although I may not like Stephen Harper, I have to admit that he has at least won over enough Canadians to become our official leader. What gives the Liberals, New Democrats and the Bloc Quebecois the right to seize power away from him, without permission from the public? What kind of democracy is that?

What makes even less sense is that Stephane Dion, the leader of the Liberal party, would head this coalition. With a voice reminiscent of Kermit the Frog, no clear understanding of the English language and the charisma of a kumquat, who the heck would want him to lead an entire country? Under his reign, the Liberals lost so many seats that I don't even want to try and write some half-intelligent comparison. Yes, he may be incredibly eloquent in french, but let's face it. How much of the general public really follows the french debates? Most don't even remember their mandatory french classes from grade school. Dion can't even sway the province with the highest population of french-speakers. Instead, most people in Quebec support the Bloc Quebecois.
On top of all his ineptitude, Dion had already announced that he would be stepping down as the leader of the Liberal party in March.
So...becoming the leader of a hostile take-over in Parliament...

Last Thursday, there was a company off of the 400 series highway that made an interesting political statement. People who commute to work were use to seeing the large Canadian flag flying outside Dickie Moore's Rental, but it caused quite the traffic slowdown the other day. Flying the flag at half-mast and upside, the employees decided that it would efficiently embody their feelings towards our government. Well done. I think they've got the right idea.

But back to my point earlier...

Thanks to all of the political turmoil, the Governor-General had to end her European tour earlier and return to Canada. Granting Harper's request, the House is now in recess. That's right, during a time where three of the biggest North American car industries are almost going under, where consumer spending and tourism is at an all time low, and people left and right are desperately trying to keep themselves clothed and fed, there are no efforts being by our government to save us from a recession.
Lovely, isn't it?

Oh Canada...