I want an election, but . . .

Like many people, I'm sick of Liberal lies, excuses, utter incompetence, patronage, secrecy, scandalous indifference (to among other things-- veterans who didn't fill out the proper forms and have been unable to collect any benefits for sixty years because they are deemed 'never to have served'), and bribes (with our own money).

An election might rectify things, but I think not. I think they'll get a majority, but that's beside the point.

The 'united opposition' is trying to back Martin against a wall. They are trying to push him into making a mistake, but it's they who have blundered.

Last Spring, I wanted an election. I wanted the Liberals to be wiped off the electoral map.

I still want an election, but there is no momentum for one. The three opposition parties are trying to push a button that disappeared when the summer came.

It's mid-November. The Gomery recommendations are due out in a couple of months. An election will (likely) be called as per Martins grovel/promise.

Greg from Political Staples points to a post from Sinister Thoughts where the timeline Paul Martin has determined for an election is questioned. Should the PM follow through with his plans, it would appear an election would be held during Holy Week, and campaigning would be right through Lent.
These posts are correct when they say that to Christians, this time period is much more important than the Christmas season. Like them, I really wouldn't want an election then, but . . .

This is Paul Martin's call to make -- let him deal with the political fallout. Let him postpone an election until June in order to prevent the fallout from a Holy Week election. Let him break his promises -- but don't make it easy for him to accuse the Conservatives of impatience for power.

There is no compelling reason for the combined opposition parties to push for an election. Much as I want rid of the Liberals, all this posturing benefits them -- not the opposition parties. The Liberals are the government -- in contrast, the Conservatives, NDP and Bloc appear ineffectual and desperate. It's unbecoming.

This is another case of the Conservatives listening to bad advice. The public is not going to perceive them as heros for bringing down the government -- they are going to be seen as petty, vindictive and chomping at the bit to plant themselves on the other side of the House.

I'd like to be wrong about this, but if someone like me, who despises the current government, is frustrated by this inane attempt to force an election call -- think of those people who are not particularly warmed by any of the oppostion parties.

As I wrote in the comments at Greg's place -- The Gomery recommendations come down February 1st. Martin promised an election call within 30 days. He doesn't have to wait thirty days -- he could call it right away and an election could be held the first week of March. Ash Wednesday is February 28th so Lent would have started, but it would be the first week, and not so close to Holy Week.

When an election is so close at hand anyway, the opposition parties actions are unwarrented.

I'm disappointed that the Conservatives haven't taken a leadership role and said, as they should have, that we should wait for Mr. Martin to do the right thing and keep his promise.

If the time-frame within Martin's promise were here and past, I could see the opposition going after him like this -- but now -- it just seems stupid.

canadianna