Federal Election 2008: Thank you Quebec

Thank you Quebec. We have you to thank for preventing a Conservative majority government. Thank you for saving us from 4 (or perhaps more depending on whether Stevie decides to follow his own law) years of an arrogant, right-wing dickwad running roughshod over our rights. Stephen Harper has proven that he has the ability to control his candidates – no one really said anything too nutty. This time the gaffes were left to his Highness and his staff.

So, what did we learn? Well, we confirmed that Stephen Harper really is a control freak. How else do you keep the rabid right-wing nutbars from saying something stupid other than keeping them under your thumb? The CBC was reporting earlier that many of the Cons candidates were very hard to talk to at anytime. They singled out Dona Cadman as one of the most elusive candidates. Clearly the Conservative candidates were kept on tight leashes and party ‘stalwarts’ were trotted out to spew the doctrine according to Stephen. Lucky for us he made some key mistakes in Quebec particularly around funding for the arts.

What did we learn about Stephane Dion? Sadly, nothing. He can’t lead. He is a policy wonk who cannot speak perfect English. Someone pundit pointed out that it is acceptable in Canadian politics for English speaking leaders to get away with bad French but not the other way around. It is too bad that Stephane cannot express himself better in English and that we English speakers are not patient enough to listen. I suspect he has great things to say but his message is lost in the delivery. The backroom henchpeople are no doubt sharpening the knives to a very fine point even as we speak.

If there is one bright spot it is Jack Layton. The man is charismatic and he has something to say. He is passionate about Canada returning to a peace-keeping role, strengthening families, medicare and pharmacare. The NDP has increased their number of seats and are now within striking distance of the 43 won by Ed Broadbent at the NDP’s height. This is the best showing for the NDP in many, many years. I am buoyed by this result.

So, at the end of this very costly election what has changed? Not much. Just as I predicted we still have a Conservative minority government (I bow down to Quebec in gratitude) and the NDP made gains. The Cons made some gains too but not enough to put them in majority land. Merci bien Province de Quebec!

PS: Thank you Vancouver Central for re-electing Hedy Fry and sending Lorne Mayencourt packing back to his hell hole. Plus, to make Hedy’s victory even sweeter, Mayencourt had to resign his provincial seat to run!!

Federal Election 2008: Lorne Mayencourt

Mayencourt’s candidacy in Vancouver Centre is not sitting well with me. I am not sure how he can justify running with a party that is as blatantly homophobic as the Cons. Seriously, these people would repeal the same-sex marriage legislation (if they thought they could get away with it and the Supreme Court would let them). What self-respecting member of the LGTBQ community would willingly put themselves in such a hostile environment? It was bad enough when he ran for the BC Liberals and was elected. However, the BC Liberals do not seem to openly hate the LGTBQ community like the Cons do. Does Little Lorne think that Stevie is going to let him play in his sandbox? Does he think he is going to get a cabinet position if he should with (which, in all likelihood, he will not)? Vancouver Centre seems to have a love-in going with Hedy Fry and it is likely she will be re-elected.

I really do not understand what Lorne thinks he has to gain from this candidacy. Is it show that the Cons are not bigots? Sorry, that won’t fly as they have shown themselves to be bigots many times. The cancellation of the Court Challenges Program was one of their first acts and a way to muzzle critics. Does Lorne think, if he is elected, that the Cons will get together in caucus and sing “Its a Small World” to welcome him to the party? It is more likely than not someone will call him a faggot, kick him and run away. Is Lorne so desperate for the limelight that he will put himself in bed with the enemy? Sadly, I think that is the case. I also think Lorne may have a case of internalized homophobia – why else would he support a party who would turn the clock back on LGTBQ rights?

Really, the only one who stands to gain from a Mayencourt victory in Vancouver Centre is Tim Stevenson.

Federal Election 2008: It just got worse

I just found out that Lorne Mayencourt, yes the author of the “Safe Streets Act” and member of the BC legislature is running for the Cons in Vancouver Centre. Now the Cons have a gay candidate. How on earth can Mayencourt justify running for a party that is fundamentally opposed to LGBTQ rights? What on earth does he think he can accomplish? With his penchant for being an outspoken maverick how does he think he will fit into Harper’s despot-like regime? Going up against Hedy Fry will also be incredibly difficult – just ask Svend Robinson who tried in the last election when he ran for the NDP.

H/T to Slap Upside the Head