Shocked. Stunned. Scared.
Tonight the Conservative Party of Canada won a majority (166), New Democratic Party is official opposition (102), the Green Party got its first seat (1), and the Liberals (35) and Bloc Quebecois (4) are almost dead.
Starting backwards, good riddance BQ. They spun off of the Conservative Party about 15 years ago and only represented Quebec interests. They influenced Federal elections towards minority governments since they started. Thank you, Quebec voters. There will always be a separatist movement in Quebec, but it is getting smaller. I hope it becomes a fringe group soon and I think this is evidence. I hear soft signals about this from friends/colleagues in Quebec. Quebec needs Canada and Canada is stronger with Quebec.
Liberals are my natural/default party. I voted for them in this election. I don't always vote for them. I actually believe in the "mushy middle ground" in politics - that realizes that there is benefit - social and economic - in strong social programs, policy that shapes the future, a balance between economic development and environment stewardship, and a government that works for all people. But the Liberals have not had a strong leader in a while and they are getting weaker. Ignatieff and Dion before him did not have what it takes to inspire and lead in cutthroat politics.
Congrats to Elizabeth May, the leader of the Green Party. I saw her campaigning last summer (I think she is always campaigning - there wasn't even a hint of an election last summer :)) She just goes out an gets seen in communities all the time, building grassroots support, and saying really intelligent things. She is the most quick on her feet and articulate of the bunch!
Even more congrats to Jack Layton!!! They went from a slightly-better-than-fringe or always-third party to the official opposition. Wow. We've had provinces with NDP governments, but this is close to having a close-to-socialistic government in federal power. The people have voted. He can sell and inspire. I hope the NDP can put reigns on the Conservatives. Jack has balls.
OK, now I get a little queasy. I am just sick that the Conservatives under Stephen Harper got a majority. He is a very narrow-minded partisan. He thinks this is just a game to win, not a country to build. And I don't think that he realizes that there are real people involved who are not like him, or more likely, he doesn't care. Low taxes, free markets, lots of jails for people who can't fit in, small government, privatize as much as possible, more guns, low immigration, big defense, blame others. But, about 40% of the Canadian population voted for this. Scary. He just says things that will get him elected. I guess they are popular things.
I don't believe in the invisible hand of Adam Smith and the ultimate truths/black & white/narrow definition of success/and other Conservative Gods. I do believe in evolution.
I am very afraid. I believe that we can influence our future. We can choose between a market-free-for-all and an informed caring democracy. Stephen Harper doesn't care about this or you unless you fit his definition of a Canadian.
Brett on Spanish Steps in Rome
London: saw 2 shows (We Will Rock You and Wicked), all the regular stuff (Wesminster Abbey, Parliment Buildings, Buckingham Palace), got lost trying to find the British Museum and the Globe Theater, went on a day bus tour to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath.
Paris: Went to Louvre, saw Eiffel Tower (day and night, but too busy to go up), walked to top of Arch du Triumphe, went to Montmartre, Louvre, and saw a very cool light show on Notre Dame. Brett met up with a High School friend who happened to be in Paris also. Funniest thing that happened was when we first arrived off of the chunnel train and then tried to get on the subway at Gare du Nord our luggage got stuck in the turnstile.
Venice: When we arrived in Venice, the first thing Brett said was "this is a good gimick!". Venice is strange. Took the boat-bus to St Mark's Square to find out hotel. We got an upgrade and quite a fancy hotel room. It rained a bit on the first day. Barry and Lynn went to where we were married 19 years ago and got a picture. Grande Canal and Rio Alto Bridge in the background.
Took a helicopter ride over the city on the second day - that was very cool!
Lynn and Brett at Colleseum
