Just because you could doesn’t mean you should

Canada’s best political historian, Michael Bliss, offers sage words to heed during this constitutional crisis (emphasis mine):

Canadian public opinion was outraged by both Meech and Charlottetown. Eventually, the politicians were forced to take the Charlottetown accord to the people in a 1992 national referendum, where it was massively defeated. Canadians didn’t want constitutional change — and they said so once they got a vote on the matter.

Sadly, instead of taking the lesson from this precedent that, in a modern democracy, the will of the people trumps Parliamentary deal-making, the architects of the 2008 coalition trotted out the same old assumptions about Parliamentary freedom, and how little the popular will matters. Their conceit has been that they can legally succeed in what millions of Canadians see as the overturning of the outcome of a democratic election, and do it without giving Canadians the ultimate say in the matter.

This is a huge error of both political and constitutional intelligence. Constitutions are living bodies of precedent, convention, comity and adaptation. Canada has evolved a long way since the era when Sir John A. Macdonald opposed universal suffrage and condemned democracy as an American disease. No constitutional expert — certainly, no governor-general–can ignore the democratic conventions that have emerged and evolved throughout the 20th century. These conventions have been moving constantly in the direction of shifting sovereignty from Parliament to the people.

Just as it was finally realized that the Charlottetown Accord had to be taken to the people, so the Liberal-NDP-Bloc coalition proposal would have to go to the Canadian people before it could be legitimately implemented. I am certain that if Mr. Harper loses the confidence of the House at the end of January, and chooses to request a dissolution of Parliament and an election to test voters’ will, the Governor-General will grant it. The coalition-without-election idea, I believe, is as dead as the Charlottetown Accord, not least because, now as then, so many Canadians have been deeply angered by the arrogance and egos of parliamentarians whose understanding has failed to evolve beyond the pages of out-of-date constitutional textbooks.

You really ought to read the whole thing, but let me summerize:

The Canadian constitution is not static, but is a living, developing entity.

That entity has been moving away from centralized governance to more direct consent models (i.e. from absolutism, to limited monarchy through the Magna Carta, to parliamentary rule in the Westminster model, to direct democracy initiatives, such as referenda and election of leadership by party members).

Any recent attempt to thwart this evolution has been met with scorn and outrage by the citizenry.

Got that?

Therefore, the attempted coup — and it was an attempted coup — was legal to the letter; however, it contradicted the evolution of the constitution. Therefore, the tactic was illegitimate as it did not — or could not — express the will of the people.

Destination Unknown

Ruby, Ruby, Rubyruby SoHo!

Don’t you just love Rancid? Me too. An especially apt name of a band considering my thoughts of the following spam I received from Liberal MP Ruby, Ruby rubyruby Dhalla today:

From: Ruby Dhalla, Liberal
Date: Thursday, December 4, 2008 5:13 pm
Subject: Buying time / Pour gagner du temps
To: Bumf

Dear Robert,

In an unprecedented display of arrogance and a complete abdication of his accountability to Canadians, Stephen Harper has shut down Parliament in order to avoid facing a confidence vote he knew he and his government would lose.

He has bought himself six more weeks to come up with a plan for our damaged economy – a plan that has so far eluded him.

He has also bought six more weeks for his Conservative Party to continue their advertising and PR campaign of half-truths and outright fabrications in order to shore up support in the far-too-likely event that he is unsuccessful in regaining Parliament’s confidence in January.

The Liberal Party must be in a strong position to respond no matter what further machinations the Harper Conservatives introduce. Please make a donation right now of $10, $25, $100 or whatever amount you can afford.

Make sure your voice is heard. Government accountability is something we must all fight for. Please help us ensure Canada has the government we deserve.

Thank you,

Ruby Dhalla
Labour Critic
Liberal Party of Canada

Doesn’t Rubyruby know that in a coalition government, the Ministry of Labour would be handed over to the socialists?

From: Bumf
Date: Thursday, December 5, 2008 8:58 am
Subject: Buying time / Pour gagner du temps
To: Ruby Dhalla, Liberal ,

Dear Ms Dhalla

Thank you for your impassioned plea on behalf of your party’s severely misguided attempt to seize power over the duly elected prime minister. I want to let you know that your efforts have not gone unnoticed.

You know that the results of the 2008 election definitively showed that Canadians do not want to be led by Stephane Dion, as does Michael Ignatieff, whom you supported during the Liberal leadership race. You also know that even though the Westminster parliament allows for dissolution of the House during any confidence vote, you and the rest of the Members have an obligation to refer back to your constituents in times like these, with such a charged and radical political manoeuver that involves a change of leadership.

Do I have to express my distaste in the Liberals who have formed a coalition with the NDP, who have been around for decades yet never gotten close to power, for good reason? And what about forming an alliance with the Bloc Quebecois? Have you no shame?

Do you really believe that Canadians don’t see how disingenuous your entire party has been? Do you really believe that this would not have occured had the prime minister not sought to cut out public funding for political parties? Do you believe that Canadians are too stupid to see that?

Please, give up this awful charade. It’s embarrassing you and your party.

Yours sincerely,

Rob Huck
Saskatoon

P.S. I have informed my local Conservative representative that I will support her with my money and volunteer hours if the GG calls an election in January. Thank you for the motivation.

P.P.S I have also let the governor-general know that I support the prorogation of the House, and that I expect that she call an election if the budget does not pass in January. Again thanks for everything.

Perhaps Ruby ought to be spending less time stumping for a loser of a Liberal leader more of her time gearing up for Ignatieff’s bid.

My babies just wrote me a letter

I’m starting to get the emails. I’m wondering when they’ll stop.

From: Greg Fergus, Liberal
Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2008 4:22 pm
Subject: Serving Canada, Serving Democracy / Dans l’intérêt du Canada et de la démocratie
To: bumf

Dear Robert,

The best traditions of our parliamentary democracy have been served by yesterday’s historic formation of a proposed alternative government for Canada. Together, opposition parties have found a way to do what may critics had declared impossible – make Parliament work.

But we need your help right now, in to deliver the action Canada so desperately needs. Canada’s Governor General, Michaelle Jean, needs to hear from you.

By electing three consecutive minority governments, Canadians have, in essence, been saying to politicians, “find a way to work together.” And since Harper Conservatives have steadfastly refused to do so, the other parties have stepped up to the plate.

Next Monday, MPs will formalise with a vote what is already clear to all – that Stephen Harper’s Conservative government has lost the confidence of Parliament and Canadians.

Then the Governor General will decide whether to force another election on the country, as Stephen Harper would have her do, or honour our parliamentary traditions and give the alternative government an opportunity to serve the country.

Please write to the Governor General today and tell her you support the alternative government. We cannot let this historic initiative fail due to the silence of the majority – make your views known!

Now is the time for real action on the economy, not another $300 million election. A Liberal-NDP government, which would have the full support of the Bloc Quebecois and the Green Party of Canada, is the truest reflection of the will of voters and the best solution for the good government Canada needs.

Yours sincerely,

Greg Fergus
National Director, Liberal Party of Canada

PS. The Conservatives have launched a massive public relations campaign to push for another election and swing support towards their divisive and narrow point of view. We must counter this effectively. If you are in a position to make a donation, please do. Your support will make an important difference at this critical time.

From: Bumf
Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2008 5:10 pm
Subject: Serving Canada, Serving Democracy / Dans l’intérêt du Canada et de la démocratie
To: Greg Fergus

“By electing three consecutive minority governments, Canadians have, in essence, been saying to politicians, ‘find a way to work together.’ “

Funny. During the last election, I heard Canadians saying that they didn’t want Stephane Dion to become prime minister.

Please cease your traitorous and illegitimate activities.

Thank you.

Rob Huck

From: Doug Ferguson, Liberal
Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2008 9:37 pm
Subject: Open Letter to Progressive Canadians / Lettre ouverte aux Canadiens et Canadiennes progressistes
To: bumf

Monday’s events are of unequalled historical significance – Parliament has chosen to place its confidence in a cooperative government, and will vote non-confidence in the current one. As you know, Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion and the Liberal Caucus have reached across the aisle and come to an agreement to form a cooperative government with the NDP, which will enjoy the support of the Bloc. This move is a direct response to the Conservative Government’s inaction on the economy.

The Conservatives, of course, don’t like to see democracy working against them. In the coming days they will launch an unparalleled barrage of lies and fear-mongering tactics to sway public opinion. It is no secret they have more money than we do – and make no mistake, they will attempt to buy their way out of this situation.

The Liberal Party needs you now, more than ever before. In order to fight the Conservative spin machine, we need you to take action. Below you will find tools to help you fight back. These tools include:

1. Talking points: These talking points are intended to help you answer questions from local media or from your friends, family and neighbours. Feel free to share or tailor these lines as you see fit – they are the best guide to our messaging. In addition to spreading the word to your peers, we encourage you to call local radio or television call-in shows. We also suggest you to call your Member of Parliament and / or the Prime Minister directly and voice your opinion.
– Forming an Alternative Government
– Alternative government will put economy first

2. Model letters: We urge you to send these letters to your contacts as well as to your local media under your own signature. This will ensure that our message reaches every Canadian in every region of the country. In the coming days, model Op-Eds will also be made available.

3. Canvass cards: These cards will help you spread the message in your community. We encourage you to print these cards and distribute them as you see fit.

4. Third Party Quotes: These quotes have been assembled from a variety of sources to highlight support for the coalition. You can use these quotes as a “cheat sheet” when discussing with friends, family and neighbours.

5. Letter to the Governor General: We know the Conservatives will be appealing directly to the Governor General to influence her important decision. In light of this, we need to have our voice heard as well. We encourage you to copy or print the attached material and ask the Governor General to support the will of Parliament.

The actions we are asking you to take are simple. They do not require a great deal of time or effort. However, the result of your actions will mean a better way forward for Canada. As I write this, the Conservatives are fighting tooth and nail for their tenuous grip on power. They are proving once again that they will stop at nothing to destroy their opponents. It’s time to fight back.

Sincerely,

Doug Ferguson
President, Liberal Party of Canada

From: Bumf
Date: Tuesday, December 3, 2008 12:23 pm
Subject: Open Letter to Progressive Canadians / Lettre ouverte aux Canadiens et Canadiennes progressistes
To: Doug Ferguson

Mr Ferguson,

I do not support socialists nor to I condone separatists. Any Liberal who supports this coalition ought to hang their head in shame. If they have any shame left to give, that is.

I find this behavior disgusting and completely unbecoming of any civilized public servant.

Please stop this ridiculous farce and respect the wishes of a Canadian people who clearly stated that they do not want Stephane Dion to be their prime minister.

Yours sincerely,

Rob Huck
Saskatoon

From: Doug Ferguson, Liberal
Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2008 7:26 pm
Subject: Shut down the recession, not Parliament / Contrer la récession, non pas le parlement
To: rob.huck@shaw.ca

Dear Robert,

In the midst of the worldwide economic crisis, Stephen Harper wants Members of Parliament to take a two month vacation. As Canada faces the possibility of a grim recession and the worst economic situation in eight decades, Harper wants to shut down Parliament. He is afraid to face a vote in the House of Commons on his own outrageous and regressive economic plan.

Harper will address the nation, this evening, to save his own skin after he failed to address the nation to save the economy. In their hour of desperation, the Conservatives are spending millions and millions of dollars to destroy anyone who opposes them. We must not let them succeed. Your help is urgently required. Help stop Harper by giving to the Victory Fund.

Quite simply, a small monthly donation to the Victory Fund will ensure that the Liberal Party is able to take on Harper at both the national and constituency level. Don’t let Harper rule without Parliament. Don’t let the Conservatives smear your Liberal MP or your riding volunteers. Don’t let the wealthy Conservatives destroy the economy and send Parliament on a long, paid holiday.

Please consider making a monthly contribution to the Victory Fund. Let’s end the one-man rule. Let’s get rid of the recession, not Parliament.

Sincerely,

Doug Ferguson
President, Liberal Party of Canada

From: Bumf
Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2008 7:52 pm
Subject: Shut down the recession, not Parliament / Contrer la récession, non pas le parlement
To: Doug Ferguson, Liberal

After seeing M.Dion’s performance on the television tonight — albeit late — I briefly considered donating to the Victory Fund, if only to give Stephane Dion a decent web cam.

But instead I donated that same money to the Conservative Party.

Thanks for the reminder.

Rob Huck

I hope they don’t stop now. I’m just getting geared up.