Ignatieff clarifies his final? position on future coalitions

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Except that the coalition wouldn't have worked without hardened Bloc support on nearly every issue.

The conservatives 144 seats trumps the NDP/Liberal 115 seats.

I think a lot more people had trouble with seeing Jack Layton getting any kind of real power over the budget. People like Layton exactly where he is playing the conscious of Parliament.

As an add on I like the idea of the minority government and gaining individual consensus. But I prefer a one party majority at least once in a while, but I think that day is gone.

Yes, I agree. Minority governments are good once in a while to promote cooperation between parties. The problem is that Harper still tries to operate like he has a majority. Considering how long he has been running the minority government, you'd think that he'd have learned to be more flexible by now.

But yeah, every once in a while you need a majority to get things done. If we don't get one soon, I think a coalition might be the next best thing... hopefully a Tory-Liberal one without the two current leaders.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan

So he's "pretty good" apart from his only major legislative achievement being a total disaster?

I guess if your goal is mediocrity, you will be judged by history as "pretty good." It has a nice ring to it: Stephen Harper the Unambitious.

His major 'achievement' was guiding the country through a recession, and he did a pretty good job of that.

We came out on the other end doing quite well.

Canada hasn't had an 'incredible' PM for years. We've just had decent ones. And Harper has been a pretty decent one.

Unless you think I should just forget the past few years, and judge him based on one bill? Never been that simple.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

The Bloc was never going to be in the coalition. They only said that they wouldn't oppose it.

What theat meant in terms of behind the scenes handshake deals is up for discussion, but I don't think much was ever leaked on that topic. It could have been nothing as far as anyone knows.

There wouldn't have been a coalition if the Bloc wouldn't have a been a part of it.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by Azure

Unless you think I should just forget the past few years, and judge him based on one bill? Never been that simple.

Indeed not. You should definitely judge him on the sum total of his achievements. It just happens to be a pretty short list.

I will say that he's a better dresser than he used to be. That has to count for something, right?

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan

Indeed not. You should definitely judge him on the sum total of his achievements. It just happens to be a pretty short list.

I will say that he's a better dresser than he used to be. That has to count for something, right?

Its quite apparent that you have absolutely no interest in actually discussing where Harper has done a good job, so why should I bother?

Does anyone give a rats ass how he dresses? Who even notices that?

I care about his issues, his legislation, which is why despite believing he has done a fine job the past few years, I won't vote conservative next time around because of the copyright bill.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by Azure

Its quite apparent that you have absolutely no interest in actually discussing where Harper has done a good job, so why should I bother?

Does anyone give a rats ass how he dresses? Who even notices that?

I care about his issues, his legislation, which is why despite believing he has done a fine job the past few years, I won't vote conservative next time around because of the copyright bill.

Uh, that was my point, dude.

I will never understand why you insist on pretending that anyone who disagrees with you isn't paying attention. I'm allowed to have a different opinion--I'm not really interested in fighting about it.