Quick, try and find a winner...

So, what is the state of the nation? The coalition is on rockier terrain then ever. Mr. Dion, will likely be forced out. (It feels like kicking a puppy, but it is probably right, if maybe not for all the right reasons.) The coalition looks to be dying, and taking everything it touches with it. Though it was totally legal and everything, it was probably too much too fast, and those involved were likely too different. The PR campaign that may be waged, over the next bit, may change things a little, but probably not. As a result, we likely know already the new leader of the Liberal party. In the end, the party has been suffering since Paul Martin stepped down. Even after the first races, the... lack of closure Mr. Dion brought to the equation (exacerbated by conservative attack ads), followed by the these last few months, through all of it we have basically had lots of waring camps and factions that may look all smiles, but were always looking for weakness. Even though I am not someone who thinks a fresh leader is all the party needs (fresh paint on a car crash comes to mind), a single rallying point would help, and so this coalition distinction might actually be worth it for the party in the end.

That said, especially with the divisive stance of the federal Conservative party (it really is a shame the PC party no longer survives) national unity has definitely been damaged, and that will mean a lot for the political spectrum. On the west (right?) hand we have Conservatives making comparisons to Communist coups, and vowing separation (when they should be wondering what possessed who to think stopping women from suing for pay equity was something that could happen in North America, let alone Canada). On the other (left?) coast (my apologies to Vancouver, Victoria) we have a province that is again being used as a wedge issue.

The map I'm apparently using.

I mean come on, so what if they are Bloc, they are members of parliament, and they represent Canadians. The reason why it was troublesome to include them had more to do with their tendency of running for Prime Minister of Dream Land, and writing their policies accordingly (see also: NDP, no offense). While some NDP (it looks like a much higher percentage of the party compared to the Liberals) seem to be getting rather pissed at this (perceived) power grab on behalf of people they voted for out of principle, the Bloc seems not to have any party revolt. In fact, lots of Quebecois (and others) are seeing this leper treatment our current PM has visited upon them as some curse from the (in his eyes at least) god of Mt. Ottawa as yet another reason why they can not be appreciated in this loose union of cultures that is Canada. Thus, Harper is helping the Bloc. In the end I think that while I don't agree with their political views on Quebec, this level of disrespect is not Canadian at all, and belongs instead with a people wiling to go to war to prevent succession. The Bloc feeds on the (mostly correctly) perceived history of English vs French oppression and disrespect in this country. What do we need to do to quench it? Treat them with some respect. It really is that simple. Actually, most Canadians could use more of that these days.

So where do the parties stand?

NDP: They seem to have hemorrhaged support. This might hurt them where they had there best hopes of truly replacing the Liberals as "other option for PM" party, the west. While activist NDPers might have taken pleasure in the coalition, and the NDP heavy coalition rallies may have helped them a little, most of Canada west of Quebec (Ontario as part of Western Canada?) is not happy with their choice. They have little to lose in Quebec, but dropping the Bloc because they are Bloc is poison in Quebec. The maritimes are split, but most of their NDP ridings are I think unlikely to change any time soon (thought the one in NL is likely temporary anyway).

Liberals: They are even more in dissaray, and the infighting will continue. There can be only one! There is much left to fix, and permanent damage may have been done in the west, where they really need to become a valid option again. Again, the fallout from ending the coalition, should that happen, may hurt them in Quebec.

Bloc: Looking simply to justify their existence by finding a way to contribute in government, they have been handed the biggest gift in a while by Mr. Harper. With this much anti-Bloc (seen by some as anti-Quebec) rhetoric being thrown around, the Bloc may actually be able to start campaigning on separation province wide again.

Conservatives: While western alienation definitely helps them, they might loose Quebec (which would put a big dent in a quest for majority should an election come in the new year). Also, Harper is definitely on some type of shaky ground. If you are a conservative and weren't put off by the budget update, the quick turn around to prevent a fall probably did it for you. I've herd some are talking about replacing him, and while he may have been a great choice at first, he is both too high maintenance and not able to centralize enough to govern in these circumstances. Also, lets face it, it took the opposition parties getting together and doing something that actively alienated their supporters for him to get into majority poll territory. A conservative leader should be able to appeal to and work with the centre if there is to be any hope of a stable Conservative government.

In the end however, the important thing? Well, 70 600 Canadians are out of work. We lost a net of 38 000 good paying manufacturing jobs this month (in actual fact Ontario lost more then that, but other provinces had gains). Where is the help securing credit? It should cost us nothing, and could do lots. Where is some help to stop these losses? Our manufacturing sector has needed help changing since Alberta oil inflation hit our dollar driving us out of the market. Part of me thinks that the lack of assistance has to do with Harper thinking Alberta needs another source of migrant workers other then Atlantic Canada. We need to match the US auto aid package (proportionally of course) adding in strings like "you won't disproportionately cut Canadian jobs" and if possible "you will add production of the new/future energy efficient models here in Canada". These could even be backed up by putting tighter emissions and mileage laws into place forcing the change (and adding to their new market). This would be helping our economy, and our environment.

Of course, with parliament closed little (but not nothing) can be done. So why worry? Calm down, de-stress, get laid.