A dog barking

When I was having problems with an ex-wife many years ago, I resorted in complete frustration to what turned out to be only one chat with a "professional". She said, "this is just a dog barking". Wow, the lights went on and it was smooth sailing after that. (Well, not exactly smooth, but I didn't have to take the endless and pointless self-pity and plaints seriously anymore, which helped enormously.)

Thought of this diagnosis when the results of the election rolled in. I have news for Jack Layton: he will be a dog barking. With Harper's seats outnumbering all those of the opposition combined, Jack will pretty much have no influence. In fact, the way I see it, he will have much less influence than when Harper ran a minority government. Back then, Harper had to adjust his agenda to stay in power. Now he won't. Now the only brakes on him will be the Charter. In some cases I will be delighted we have the Charter, in others I am sure I will be annoyed. But at least we have it.

It was patently ridiculous seeing Jack elatedly bounding up on stage as if he had just been declared prime minister. Bulletin, bulletin, bulletin Jack: you are now pretty much irrelevant. You are part of the 141 to his 167, so Harper will do what he wants.

The way I see it, the NDP took the Liberal and Bloc votes, plain and simple. Nobody in their right mind votes NDP because they think an NDP leader would make a good prime minister. (Remember Bob Rae as premier of Ontario and weep.) No, Canadians vote NDP because they just cannot stomach voting for any of the alternatives -- especially in fickle Quebec where political fortunes turn whimsically on who promises them (usually falsely) the most $$$$$$$$$$$. Patriotic Canadians most Quebeckers are not. Don't panic, I said "most".

If Harper decides to implement his agenda full-on (minus the stuff the Charter will not permit) he will be turfed out in four years. If he wants to be re-elected, he will have to put water in his wine and listen to the NDP. It's his choice.