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The Election is over!
OK. So the tide of Conservative blue that was supposed to sweep down on us was held in check once more by Ontario. Was it just me or did Harper sound kind of pissed off during his accpetance speech?
The Liberals have a minority government. I think this is what most of us wanted... they get their wrists slapped for sponsorship scandal but remain in power because most Canadians don't want the Conservatives or the NDP holding the reigns.
I was amazed to see that the NDP did not take more seats in downtown Toronto, they were supposed to take four seats but managed only one (Jack Layton, in my riding Toronto-Danforth). It will be good to see Ed Broadbent back in the house (for Ottawa-Centre)... I always liked his statesmanship.
It looks to me like the polls were very wrong or that there was a huge shift over the last four days of the election. It looks like Martin's attack ads of the last few days really worked.
What was interesting to me was that in the popular vote (the number of votes cast as opposed to seats won) saw both the Liberals and the Conservatives lose ground while the Bloc, NDP and Other (Greens, Marijuana, Marxist-Leninists, Christian Coalition, etc.) gain ground. It was an interesting shift to the left in the popular vote. To me this just underscores the need to overhaul the electoral system to reflect this sort of voting rather than the current first past the post...
My favourite part of the election night was for about 10 minutes, early in the polls, when the Marxist-Leninist candidate for Mississauga was in the lead and therefore appeared on the "Elected or Leading" tally board. I found that highly amusing.
My second favourite was Rick Mercer's bit on the CBC. Amongst other things he suggested that not only should the leaders share power in a minority situation they should also share Sussex Drive (the Prime Minister's residence). You know install some bunk beds so they can all get a place to sleep. He pointed out that the leaders really hate each other and the pain this working to together will cause is a good thing... That the first thing Paul Martin should see when he comes down the stairs in the morning is Jack Layton in a speedo, after swimming laps in the pool and his wife Olivia Chow mixing up smoothies in the kitchen... very funny.
Enough of my ramblings... what are your thoughts on all of this?
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"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke
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