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[fajrdrako]

Concentrating on my writing last night, I forgot to check, before I went to bed, who had won the election. I woke up wondering who was leading the country.

Took me a few minutes to find out, as all the TV stations that weren't showing cartoons were telling about the weather. (Not good.) Then there was news about Iraq.... (Never good.) A 'minority government' was mentioned in passing, and I got nervous. If we had Prime Minister Stephen Harper, I was going to be depressed.

But then CTV featured an interview with Ed Broadbent - who had won in my riding. For once in my life, the person I voted for won! And, yes, in the course of his quick speech about social reform, it was clear that we have a minority Liberal government. Fair enough. I'd been predicting a small Liberal majority - I guess I was wrong. I'm so happy I wasn't wrong in the other direction.

I'll have to get a newspaper on my way to the fitness club.

I always like the morning after an election, whoever wins. You get the feeling of a fresh start and new possibilities, even when it's the same old people.

Comments

[squashed.livejournal.com]

You get the feeling of a fresh start and new possibilities, even when it's the same old people.

I think the fact that it's a minority government makes them a little more accountable. So it is a fresh start. For instance, they need to NDP to make up their majority votes. They won't have carte blanche anyway, and I don't think that's a bad thing.

Ramble, ramble.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes - accountability is a good thing. Not in terms of "keeping them honest", but to keep the balance of power from falling to the Opposition, the Liberals will have to sway their policies leftward to keep NDP support. Which can only be a good thing - an emphasis on social programs and social justice.

[ceruleancat.livejournal.com]

I forgot to check, before I went to bed, who had won the election. I woke up wondering who was leading the country.

I know that feeling, and elections in this country hve been all to frequent in recent years. Although in my case, it really doesn't matter who won. Both options are bad, one is only marginally worse than the other, and the situation is equally warlike, regardless of the outcome.

I'm glad at least you have some hope. :)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

it really doesn't matter who won. Both options are bad, one is only marginally worse than the other, and the situation is equally warlike, regardless of the outcome.

Yes. This saddens me, as I don't think "warlike" is ever good and I don't know how to overcome that mindset on a large scale worldwide. Certainly of my country's leading parties I would choose the least warlike - which means the least likely to follow the United States into any war - which means, generally speaking, not the Conservatives.

But Canadians are not known for their warlike nature and I think there's little chance a hawkish leader will be elected. Our dichotomy is more like "social progress vs. business interests". It would be nice to see some Green Party M.P.s be elected - they're the environmentalist party, who made a good popular showing but didn't get any seats. Also in the running on our ballot in Ottawa Centre were representatives of the Marijuana Party, the Marxist-Leninists, the Communists, and a few independents.

[ceruleancat.livejournal.com]

Oh, there's plenty of parties, including the Marijunana one. However, social and environmental issues don't tend to have much significance. In Israel, left and right are based solely on the position to "The Conflict", and nothing else is of much consideration. The two leading parties are only marginally different in that and in any other aspect.

And it doesn't really matter who wins. Since the Arab world remains antagonistic in its attitude, the region would have remained fucked, even if Ghandi was PM.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yeah - takes two sides to tango, as they say. It's about as deeply entrenched as problems can be. But it's too bad that it gets in the way of other things.