Elections, elections

The Conservative government is itching for an election. To recap the outcome of the January 2006 election, the Conservatives formed a minority government, with the Liberals the next largest party in the parliament, followed by the NDP and the Bloc Quebecois. The Liberal leader immediately resigned and began a ten month long leadership process.

The Conservatives think that if they call an election now, they can catch the Liberals without a leader, and get a majority government. So the recent softwood lumber "deal" (which is a horrible deal for Canada) is being put to a vote in the Commons, with the Prime Minister saying that if the bill is defeated, it will be considered a non-confidence motion, which means the House no longer has confidence in the governing party, and an election must be called.

Elections should be about giving voters more choice, not less choice. This kind of opportunism is exactly why people want a new kind of governance. It is why many people stop voting .. why feed the beast?

Jim

Back again

It has been a LONG time since I posted. After my last post, the pace of the campaign overwhelmed my ability to find time every day to post. Once you stop, it is hard to get going again. Then campaign is over, the election is done, and the votes were counted - 2156 for me and the Green Party in LKM. I am very proud of my team and I know will do much better next time. In part, this is because all of us are learning and growing in our roles.

I just returned from the Green Party Convention in Ottawa, and I am pumped about the people and the party. I am going to try this again, and I will do my best to make this dialogue a real dialogue .. regular, honest, and truly interactive.

If you have a question, or an issue, or a comment, let me know. I look forward to our connection.

Jim