The Curmudgeon

Ya gotta love Parliamentary governments.

Take Canada as a shining example. In the time from the end of the RNC atrocity exhibition to the General Election in November, Canada had an entire election cycle. The Prime Minister called for an election there was a SIX WEEK (yes, six fucking weeks- compared to the TWO YEARS of campaigning we had to endure in the States...) campaign, followed by an election. The results of that election were available that night.

Another beauty thing about the system is that if the majority party or head of the minority coalition starts making a mess of things, a single no-confidence vote brings about another election. Or, as has been the drama this week, when a minority party's coalition starts flailing about another minority coalition can replace it. Just think how life here may have been changed for the better if in 2005 or so, the Chucklenuts Administration had fallen in a no-confidence vote...

The prospect of Stephen Harper being tossed on his ear has many in Canada excited. Harper has been to many a slightly more capable, slightly more moderate shadow of the dismal failure of a President the States have endure for eight years.

Ah, but it proved not to be that easy... Harpo called on the Governor General to suspend Parliament "prorogue"- and that is what happened. In a nutshell- Parliament was told to go home for about two months, when a budget vote (and hence, a confidence vote) will be due. I doubt that this will give Harper any more restful sleep, but the axe won't fall on him before Christmas. or Boxing Day.

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Meanwhile, back in Minnesota, the Franken-Coleman drags on. And on. When the recount is done this week, there will be the matter of the contested ballots. When THAT gets resolved, there will no doubt be lawsuits to resolve, and even then, this matter may go to the U.S. Senate, who may opt to impose its own resolution.

Feh, I still say. The only proposed resolution which would have damn near 100% support remains my "put 'em both on the same choke-chain" offering.