Viewer Vitriol II: The Pros And Cons Of The Coalition

Not since the Quebec Referendum has Canada faced such a divisive issue. For the past 24 hours, CityNews.ca has received an unprecedented amount of email on the coalition government being planned in Ottawa.

Some are for the idea, noting it’s a part of Parliamentary rules and despite the objections of others, is perfectly legal under our system.

Others are calling Liberal Stephane Dion, NDP chief Jack Layton and Bloc Quebecois boss Gilles Duceppe power hungry at best – and traitors at worst.

There is so much dissension, in fact, that two separate protests have been organized – one in favour of the takeover and one against.

Here’s where you can find information on both.

http://www.makeparliamentwork.ca/makeparliamentwork/rally-listing

http://www.rallyforcanada.ca/

Here’s another sample of your letters, with some edited for length.

“This is so WRONG!  I did not vote for Harper but he won fair and square.  Do we or do we not live in a democracy? I think they should be taking a vote as to how the people feel about what they are doing. I personally voted for one of these parties but seeing this side of them, I would never vote for them again. Who do they think they are!?”

“It makes me feel ashamed to be a Canadian and I have never felt like that before.”
Leanna Hunter

“My lawfully elected Prime Minister should remind the opposition parties that the Liberal and NDP minority has nowhere near enough votes to govern and the Bloc Quebecois have no legal authority over the rest of the provinces … The right to my constitutional freedoms are now being violated by a bunch of political flunkies and their ridiculous demands for funding at taxpayers’ expense. Give me a break, this country needs a plebiscite to authorize these political terrorists to hijack my vote and country.”
Mike Kiely

“We must not allow the Liberals to usurp power. They cannot be trusted. They have stolen our money for their Quebec wing. They are in debt because they cannot raise enough money from Canadians legitimately. They have no respect for the Canadian voters.”
Brian Shaw

“I for one will never vote again if these three stooges take over our government. There doesn’t seem to be any point in having an electoral system. Can you imagine what President Obama will think when he meets with the new Canadian government, a lame duck Liberal, a socialist and a separatist? It’s laughable.”
Eric

“Stephane Dion didn’t step down as Liberal leader right away, which makes it seem like this was being planned for quite some time now. I feel because of these political tactics, the next time Canadians go out to vote, it will be a majority government and it won’t be Liberal or NDP. I did not vote for Stephen Harper, and because of these tactics at this time of economic crisis, I wish I had voted differently.

“This feels completely undemocratic as the people’s votes and choice of government is being disrespected and compromised. I’m afraid what this will lead to.”
Archie Villaverde

“The ignorance displayed by most of the comments on your CityNews page is startling.  Nobody EVER votes for a particular form of government in a parliamentary democracy.  You couldn’t vote for a coalition if you tried. You voted for your MP; now it’s up to him or her to vote on your behalf — either supporting or opposing the current government’s proposals. The real idiocy is Harper’s decision to pretend that he has a majority, and ride roughshod over the opposition — or at least attempt to.  Good for them for standing up to his bullying!”
SB Kravetz

“I will never vote for the Liberal Party again! I placed a vote and I expected it to count. Last time I checked we were democratic not communist. I say if the NDP/Liberals and Bloc don’t like who Canada voted for in the first place then maybe they should try again, but I know I won’t be voting for them. They just lost my vote forever.”
Brianna Whately

“We are a democratic country and approx a month and a half ago, we spoke. This coalition is trying to take power, not earn it!  This new government has not even had the chance to govern. Maclean’s Magazine this month has 5 financial experts saying not to rush in with financial bailouts. Harper is watching and investigating. The coalition wants to spend, spend, spend!! They will send a message to the world that Canada is weak and in turmoil. The stock markets will react!  We need stability, not revolution! Asking a separatist party to be key in support is ludicrous! I am ashamed of Canadian politics for the first time in my life!”
Marion Heeringa

“When reading the comments regarding the coalition, the one thing some readers don’t seem to understand is that the formation of a coalition IS democracy at work. This is the point of a minority government; because over half of Canadians did not vote for the Conservatives, if other governments can manage to find a deal that they agree with, they can either take over or force another election.

“What would not be democratic is having a party govern this country with less than half the votes with absolutely no questions asked. It doesn’t matter whether you support the coalition or not, it’s a fundamental principle of democracy.”
Pam J.

“I am mystified by the negative feedback over this issue. Only a small minority of Canadians voted in the last election, so the results are hardly a true picture of what we want in government. Stephen Harper has again ignored the have nots in favour of the haves. Both my husband and I, and my children and their families are facing unemployment in the near future, and the inaction of the present government in regards to the economic downturn shows his inability as a leader for our country.”
Sheryl Klinkhammer

“What is going on in Ottawa is a disgrace, this has nothing to do with the good of our country it is just a power grab by parties that could not get elected. If this is allowed to go through it makes a joke out of our national elections and what this country stands for.”
Denis Beneteau

“I think this coalition government proves that Canadians care less about who is in power (not that one is really better than the other anyways) and because we never rally against the losers in parliament, they just let the major corporations run the show because as well all know, money is power, and money talks.

“I’ve lost total faith in my Canadian heritage, and if it weren’t for the States being in a worse position than we are currently, I would seriously consider moving there instead!”
Anthony Vercillo

“Don’t lets allow it”.
Rod Harrison

“I am incensed over this power grab. I want to know how legal it is for one member of the coalition to NOT represent the people of Canada, but only the province of Quebec. This is not democracy in action. The Bloc is nothing more than a glorified provincial party.  Constitutional experts need to look into this.  I do not see how the Bloc can sign on because they were not elected by anyone outside of Quebec.”
Carole Davis

“Do your viewers not understand that coalition governments are quite common and sometimes function pretty well?

Countries with coalition governments:
Germany
Israel
Ireland
India
Italy (not a great example, admittedly)
New Zealand

“This talk of betrayal is nonsense. Yes, I’m a bit iffy of the Bloc too, but the majority of Canadians did NOT vote Conservative.”
Ilana

“I think a coalition government in Canada can better serve and represent Canadians. I call it democracy at work and a lot better than those majority governments mostly behave like totalitarian regimes.”
Rafi Nawabi

What does tomorrow’s generation think? A teacher who heads classes from grades 1-3 sent us some of their comments. Here’s what they have to say out of the mouths of babes.

“I think it is bad that the NDP, Liberals and the Block Quebecois are working together to stop Steven (sic) Harper because it is really mean and unfair.”

“It is selfish, wrong and disappointing that they would try to overthrow Steven Harper.”

“The other parties shouldn’t be sore loosers (sic) because they did not win.  They do not care about Canada.”

“STOP the bullying!!”

“What they are doing to Steven (sic) Harper is mean.”

And finally a comment from one man who is so mad, he can’t actually comment.

“I really want to write something to express my disgust over this coup and the harm it will do to Canada.

“The only fitting words I can muster in my outrage are not fit for print.

“My sincerest apology.”
Peter Snelson