tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149446.post1229276345222096834..comments2023-10-10T10:34:10.843-06:00Comments on The Nexus of Assholery: Dion Needs New Take on FederalismPatrick Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04592482865332628189noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149446.post-32901104794582569982007-09-12T15:18:00.000-06:002007-09-12T15:18:00.000-06:00In reading this, I found myself reflecting on just...In reading this, I found myself reflecting on just how obvious Dion's behaviour is.<BR/><BR/>Yes, it is certainly part of the Liberal heritage from Trudeau onward that Federal money should be used to force the provinces to act in ways those in Ottawa want. So his defence of the notion that Ottawa "ought to be able to do so" is in line with those proclivities. (Did the Liberals ever forgive Pearson for allowing the Québec Pension Plan to exist?)<BR/><BR/>That he sees this as a wedge issue to bring home additional seats in certain regions (probably, the Maritimes and Ontario, although he may have his eye on Manitoba and Saskatchewan as well), though, is - in addition to be appalling (imagine, playing with the nation's future in such a cavalier manner! - also absolutely in line with Liberal proclivities.<BR/><BR/><B><I>"Say anything, do anything, to gain and keep power."</I></B> This is Liberal mother's milk, the principle of principles (the one that allows them to set aside any and all other principles on an "as needed" basis), the master truth of relativity, the sole absolute.<BR/><BR/>Stéphane Dion certainly joined the appropriate party for his beliefs.<BR/><BR/>Now, if Taliban Jack can get it together and recognize the opening, the Prime Minister could hit this on one side as "continuing the debasement of the separation of authority between the federal government and the provinces" and use the Liberal record to show how their initiatives basically just slopped money everywhere with no result, the NDP leader could hit him on the other side for his "unwillingness to recognize how the needs of ordinary Canadians (<I>grimace</I>) from one part of the country to another differ and thus he would marginalize Québec for electoral gain" (or some such speech) and ...<BR/><BR/>... Dion and the Bloc end up as kissing cousins, both willing, in their own way, to impose their final solutions on Canada.<BR/><BR/>Since <I>le Citoyen</I> does seem to suffer from an acute case of athlete's tongue, I'd say he should be encouraged to continue on this track.<BR/><BR/>And when he says "that's not fair ... I'm putting my foot down" we can all shout out, left and right:<BR/><BR/><I>"Suit yourself! It's your lip!"</I>Bruce Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15698226231494151308noreply@blogger.com