Canada, one-party state

[Mustang Sally]

As Canada Day approaches, there's been a good deal of talk in the newspapers about the state of our federal politics. Basically, the Liberals have achieved such a stronghold (due to lack of viable opposition) that we have basically become (or will soon become) a one-party state.

This, obviously, is bad. Strong opposition keeps the governing party accountable and provides important checks and balances.

National Post story

"The Canadian Alliance and the Conservative party will be the architects of a one-party state, not the Liberal party, if they don't get their act together in the next 24 to 36 months," said Donald Savoie, a respected professor of government at the Université de Moncton.

Some of the articles suggest a Conservative - Canadian Alliance merger is the only thing that will save us from virtual dictatorship. Any thoughts or opinions?

(Todd, this is your chance to talk Canadian politics for once AND to slam the Liberals some more.)

 

[Mensa]

Blame the Conservatives??

This Donald Savoie sounds like another professional pinhead. Blame the Conservatives and the Alliance? You should blame the only ones responsible for turning a flourishing multi-party state into an ersatz third-world dictatorship. The voters of Canada! If true choice dies, they will have no one to blame but themselves.

They're going to wake up one morning, get fed up with the oppressive Liberal arrogance and realize that they've painted themselves into a corner by destroying any meaningful opposition. If they're so bloody stupid that they cannot see where they're headed, then it's their own tough luck!