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Originally Posted by blahblah454
Really think it will be that bad Baraka?
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What exactly? Federal politics? Ontario?
I think federal politics will be interesting. Harper is a smart guy, so there's a distinct possibility that he knows his support comes from both the right and the centre-right. He can't abandon even a small margin of that or his whole support system will come crashing down. I hope this means that many of his social ideologies will stay on the back burner.
If he focuses on economic recovery and returning to a surplus, then so be it. The problems will arise in his methods and who or what he puts on the chopping block when it comes down to it. If he goes at it like a bull in a china cabinet, it may ultimately spell disaster for the Conservatives over the long term. Following up a few shaky minorities with a destructive/controversial majority will only further galvanize the left/centre-left.
As far as Ontario is concerned, dating back to the last Toronto municipal election, there has been a sentiment of fear and anger regarding politics and society. The election of Rob Ford as mayor, followed up with this recent Conservative federal victory (much of which was won in southern Ontario), sets the stage for the upcoming Ontario election this fall whereby Dalton McGuinty's Liberal party might suffer not only from this Conservative "wave" but from his own unpopularity. It doesn't look good.
So what I'm looking at here in Toronto---downtown/midtown in an island of NDP/Liberal supporters---is an oncoming "triple threat" of conservatism based on fear and anger. With Ford, it was spending and taxes (the "gravy train"). With Harper, it was crime and economic stability. With the provincial election? I think it will be much of the same and more.
Ontario hasn't been doing so hot since the beginning of the recession.