12.Part 2: Strange uncharted political constellation

Last time, in the Bat Cave Batman and Robin were discussing the strategy where Dion and the Liberal Party announce right at the beginning of the election, or even sooner, that Dion will ask Elizabeth May to assume Minister of Environment if the Liberals win.

Robin: Well, Batman, it looks like you were right about the Harper budget being very centrist and pragmatic.

Batman: That’s right, Robin. There does not seem to be any overall principles at play there. It does not seem to be intended to strengthen Canada and all it stands for. It appears to have been craftily drafted to target very specific sectors of out society with benefits at the expense of others.

Robin: But why would he want to favour only certain groups in Canada at the expense of others
as opposed to promoting an over all plan for the future of all Canadians.

Batman: Well Robin, when you look at what sectors are benefited it would appear that the Budget was drafted with the intention of gaining votes so as to increase the number of seats in the next election in an attempt to gain majority.

Robin: Holy Machiavellianism, Batman. Isn’t that a pure power grasp at the expense of Canada’s social fabric and future.

Batman: You may have a point there Robin, it is liberal spending without the underlying liberal principles. In fact, Harper seems to have jettisoned all principles, including conservative.

Robin: Holy Déjà vu, Batman, haven't we see this kind of approach by Harper already, Batman, where Harper's broke promise not to tax Income Trusts resulted in a devaluation in the affected companies by up to $25 billion dollars.

Batman: A trend seems to be emerging, Robin.Now we have the broken promise regarding allowing the Provinces to keep 100% of their non- renewable resource revenues in the Equalization formula. It appears that the Premiers of 5 Provinces, including three Atlantic Provinces, are very upset.

Robin: But during his budget speech didn't the Finance Minister, Jim Flaherty, proclaim, “The long, tiring, unproductive era of bickering between the Provincial and Federal governments is over!”

Batman: Ironically so, Robin.It reminds me a lot of President Bush when he announced in May ’03 that the Iraqi war was over.

Robin: How so Batman?

Batman: It may be that it should have been over, but due to inept handling of the situation it only got worse.

Robin: so, you mean, instead of putting Canada on course for harmony between all the various and diverse regions of Canada, the Harper government has chose favouritism and distortions purely for personal political gain.

Batman: It seems so, Robin.

Robin: But, how does that affect Elizabeth May?

Batman: Well, Robin, it may very well give her efforts to defeat Peter Mackay and get elected in Nova Scotia a real boost. And so, Dion would not have to pull a “Harper” and appoint May to the Senate first before making her Minister of the Environment.

Robin: Holy, turn-arounds, Batman. Do you think May will win?

Batman: I don’t know, Robin. What I do know is that we’ve got to get our Canada back, Robin, before its too late.

© Lloyd MacIlquham, all rights reserved, 17 March, 2007