The Toothless Tiger

There, it's done. At the cost of a democratic deficit in action, but there you have it. The Liberal Party of Canada has accustomed itself to short-changing democratic action, as was well realized when it undertook to form an absurd opposition coalition for the purpose of unseating a newly-elected government, taking the short route to power rather than undergo the nuisance of another election.

Which would ensure too much time would elapse between their desires and their opportunities. Besides which, the fickle electorate had already spoken; pity it was not in the Liberals' favour. These, however, are incidentals, minor points; just as the customer isn't always right, so too is the voting public all too often confused, incapable of discerning where their best interests lie, unable to commit to a party whose right-to-govern need never be in question.

So, then, it's done. The haplessly inadequate Stephane Dion has departed, the pugnaciously incapable Bob Rae stood down, the unknown Dominic LeBlanc stood aside, and the Liberal party executive has duly crowned what's-his-name, that fellow whose life-long sojourn kept him outside the country for most of his adult life exploring other pastures.

Details, inconvenient and irritating details. The man, first in the political hearts of his assembled party, caucus and Senate members, the fellow who couldn't quite seem to make up his mind whether he whole-heartedly backed the coalition of the usurpers-of-government and judiciously kept most of his thoughts to himself, is now leader of the Official Opposition.

Great expectations have been invested in this man's potential as a leader of that flagging, exhausted, penurious, chastened (but not unduly) party.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper took the time to telephone his congratulations to Michael Ignatieff, a friendly overture, a-to-be-expected diplomatic move, one parliamentary colleague to another. But this new collegiality doesn't fool the discerning Mr. Ignatieff, he knows a challenge when he sees one.

And while the prime minister has been nicely mouthing conciliation, urging upon any who would listen, including members of parliament, the necessity of all elected lawmakers to now work together for the good of the country, Michael Ignatieff growls his immediate intention born of disaffection of the status quo.

Coalition perhaps, but not necessarily. It remains a persuasive cudgel, lest the Conservative-led government once again step out of line. And the Liberal-NDP-Bloc will simply not countenance the government running roughshod over their collective dignity, assuming to deprive them of their funding.

Well, that's been set aside, as have the other irritants, and now it's back to work, good people. Wait, be patient, the budget will be tabled end of January, and there will be a line-for-line evaluation. It will exceed the dimmest of expectations. Presenting as a budget for its time.

This government is contrite, has learned its realpolitik lesson, and is prepared to govern, responsively, responsibly, for a crisis looms through which it is ready to guide us. So stop the snarling, Mr. Ignatieff, the promise to swing that tripartite smasher again should the forthcoming budget be seen as "not in the national interest of our country".

How likely is it that a clever man like our prime minister and his able cabinet not be prepared to put together a budget for the times?

And, Mr. Ignatieff, do yourself a favour. Practise before a mirror, listen to yourself before you permit such absurd verbiage to escape your lips again. That quirkily absurd statement, for example: "He must not doubt my calm, quiet, determined determination that he has to walk back down the hill", reads like part of a Monty Python skit.

Is that the best you can offer? Your calm, quiet, determined determination? While Mr. Harper walks back down the hill? Pretentiously portentous pauses for emphasis. Really?

Has that steel-trap mind, your much-vaunted cerebral qualities gone into deep-freeze? Take some time out, my good man. First things first.

Your party is in dire need of a make-over. Situating you as their fearless leader is but the first, very tentative step to hauling itself out of the perdition in which previous leaders such a scant short time earlier plunged it.

That is precisely where your fastidious attention to detail should fasten itself.