Twisted


The Prime Minister came over the other day, to help me with some housework. We got to talking about the various election debates, here and in the US. He's been watching them on YouTube, and said they were all a bit boring, except for the vice-presidential candidates.

Dan's taken an interest in politics, having recently been elected as the head of his student council. Last year he was Minister of the Environment.

My nephew has been explaining to me the complex constitution of the province's French speaking high schools. His position is something of a cross between a Westminster PM and a President of France. He has a veto. There is a Senate, representing all the schools, of which he is a non voting member, ex-officio. And a school council, where he and his Principal meet with parents and teachers.

I don't know how the English kids have got things organized, even though 40 years ago I was a council president myself, pushing for the establishment of a secondary school students union.

On the matter of the vp debate, he was impressed by Senator Biden, while I admitted to liking Mrs. Palin. Governor, he corrected me. We both agreed that the top half of their tickets had been rather disappointing. In the Canadian debates we both thought the Green Party leader was the most successful in promoting her party.

Dan's been working for the Liberals in our riding, and was pleased to hear that I had finally come to a decision to support them as well. To be honest, I said, I still want Harper to be Prime Minister, with a reduced minority, and I hope Dion loses the leadership of his party, despite my grudging admiration for the way he has persevered in the face of continued opposition and bad press.

So how would you describe your politics these days? he asked. I'm a centrist, I replied, and want to see a Liberal - Conservative coalition government, one controlled by Parliament, not the PM, even if that prime minister should become one day, as I still hope, Michael Ignatieff.

That's pretty twisted, Dan replied. Well, Harper has to be punished for calling an unnecessary election, even if he is the more competent leader. I've also taken a strong dislike to our local Conservative MP, especially after he spoke out against the Order of Canada being awarded to Dr. Morgentaler.

I thought you liked the social conservatives? No, if I support them it's despite their religious views. Henry Morgentaler is the Canadian I admire the most. And while I think Palin may one day be elected President herself, I wish McCain could have picked Joe Lieberman instead. But party politics wouldn't allow it.

Dan's future hope for PM is Justin Trudeau, whom he heard speak at a student rally last month in Windsor. I offered up an anecdote about meeting Justin's father in a similar forum in Ottawa. The two of us made the front page of the Globe and Mail the next day, about my proposal for the Opportunities for Youth program to be turned into a prelude, or alternative, to a university education. The Prime Minister back then said he though it was a good idea. It never happened, but ours was one of the first public discussions about students and community service.

After we finished washing the floors and vacuuming up a month's worth of spider webs, Dan and I sat down to watch some TV, the latest episode of Heroes. It seems the good guys are turning into the bad guys, and vice versa. A bit like politics, but not as complicated.

Tonight we'll watch the Canadian election returns. And House.

Posted: Tue - October 14, 2008 at 10:44 AM          

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