(no subject)

[listersgirl]

Happy birthday yagowe!

***

So George is back, and I am happy. Also, I love Jack Layton.

I'm definitely watching to see what happens with this potential vote of non-confidence. I really doubt that anyone wants to force a Christmas election*, but George is right: this is the chance that the Conservatives and the NDP have both been talking about forever. If they don't use this chance to vote non-confidence in the Liberals, they're going to look very silly.

The thing is, I can see why the NDP, despite everything they've said, might not want to take down the government. They are actually in the best position they could possibly be, other than leading a majority government themselves (which, despite gains in seats and recognition, I don't think is a possibility yet). Martin needs them, desperately, in order to get anything done. As the swing vote, they're managing to dictate policy. Look at what just happened with the health care bill: Layton basically said, give us what we want on that bill and we'll support you, otherwise we're siding with the bad guys over there.

So now it just remains to be seen what Martin and the others will do. The Conservatives have the first opposition day next week, but I don't think they're likely to call for a confidence vote unless they're sure the NDP aren't backing the Liberals, despite the fact that they (and all the other opposition parties) have been saying that they're ready ever since the last election. I guess we'll see!

*There were people handing out pamphlets by the subway station this morning. I'm pretty sure they were for the Conservative candidate in my riding. I thought they weren't allowed to campaign until an election was called?

(ps. Who wants to go to a taping of the Rick Mercer Report with me? Tickets are available for these shows. We should pick one and get a group of people together.)

Comments

[emiline.livejournal.com]

Yeah, they were Conservative. I switched to other side of the road to avoid them, but then I thought about all the things I could have done when they tried to hand me a pamphlet, and was disappointed in myself. Heh.

I'd love to go to a taping of the Rick Mercer Report, so I'd definitely be up for joining your group.

[listersgirl]

Excellent! Does it matter to you when we go?

[emiline.livejournal.com]

The only date I might have a problem with is Nov. 25 (it's my sister's birthday). Other than that, I don't think there's anything else going on those days.

[blue-lotus.livejournal.com]

I've met Layton before, when he was campaigning in Saskatchewan. Seems pretty decent.

[listersgirl]

He came down a lot during the lockout, to offer support. I know there are at least a few people here who are switching parties because of him, and the fact that he was the only one who showed any interest in keeping public broadcasting going.

[sanity-clause.livejournal.com]

Raises hand! Me Me Me! Rick Rick Rick!

Let go this month some time. Why put it off? Then we can get tickets under a different name, and go once in the spring. :)

When's George going to do a live show again?

[listersgirl]

Well, he's doing a few in Whistler in Dec., but I don't think that's going to help us. :)

So, any days you can't go? The tapings are on Friday nights.

[starfishchick]

I'm in. I can't go this Friday, but any other Friday is fine. (Unless idella is coming in on the 25th.)

Also, URG, not another election! I hate elections.

[listersgirl]

Yay! Rick Mercer fan group ahoy.

[starfishchick]

starfishdude is in, too.

[sarcasma.livejournal.com]

Re: campaigning: I think you're right, except that I bet you can hand out pamphlets about just about anything whenever you want as long as they don't say "vote for me"!

Re: Mercer: OH GOD YES.