by vampchick21 » Fri Dec 05, 2008 07:13:59 AM
Even though I am a Liberal voter, being that the party's political ideology most closely matches my own (I'm slightly left of centre), I am perfecly happy with the choice made by Mme. Jean. Really, given the entire situation, and the clear fact that many Canadians simply do not understand how our system works, it was the best and only choice she could have made, an election is not feasible right now (Adrienne Clarkson noted in her book that she felt it wrong and unfair to Canadians to have less than 6 months between elections), and by all apperances many Canadians simply do not grasp the option of asking the opposition to form a government, coalition or not.
To me, she is in essence, telling Harper to drop the hardline stance and meet the others halfway, and telling the others to do the same.
Just remember that your vote actually only sends your local representative to Ottawa as an MP, just like mine and everyone elses, no matter what factors have gone into your choice. It is the Governor General who then appoints the Head of Government and asks them to form a Cabinet. And she would have been fully within her rights as GG to utilize her powers to dismiss Harper and appoint Dion as Head of Government and request that he form a Cabinet.