Nothing like airing some grievances

As we wrap up 2008, here's a few quick thoughts on the year that is almost in the rearview mirror:
I can't let this opportunity go by without jumping on the Senate bandwagon. Firstly, the Liberals can whine all they want about the appointments. Sure, Prime Minister Stephen Harper promised to implement elections for picking senators but they can't help but feel the prick of their own petard.
It was Liberal senators who blocked Harper's attempts at changing the senate, including implementing elections.
Now, instead of waiting for each province to introduce legislation for electing senators, Harper has introduced 18 new red chamber dust-gatherers.
Sure' it's contrary to everything Harper promised but to the victor goes the spoils. Plus, the Senate Liberals gave him a ready-made excuse by blocking his reforms in the first place.
They allowed him to appeal to the public that the only way any changes can be made to the Senate (an anachronism many want to see altered at least somewhat) is if he gets more reform-minded members in there.
No, Harper didn't appoint these new members because he wants reform in the Senate. With these 18, the Tories still do not come close to rivalling the Liberals total, although it gives him at least more members in the Senate to build on for the future.
The real reason for the appointments was to make sure he filled the seats instead of leaving it to the Grits, if the coalition really does topple the government next month.
But by knocking down his reforms, the Senate Liberals gave Harper an easy way to spin those appointments.
‰ With the heady days of a potential coalition now behind us, it's obvious to me that the two main parties in the coalition, the Liberal party and the NDP, were actually saved from the ignominy of future embarrassment when Harper and Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean cut the Parliament short to save the Tory government.
With new Liberal boss Michael Ignatieff strongly hinting at pulling out of the coalition, it appears the Liberal-NDP regime will never get a chance to reign.
This is good news for both of those parties.
Various polls showed public distaste for the coalition. If it had been successful, the public would likely have punished both and given the Conservatives the majority it has sought for the last two elections.
The NDP made serious inroads in the last two elections and an attempt at trying to grab power from the seat of the fourth party in the House, would be too galling, and probably send the party reeling back into the Audrey McLaughlin days.
‰ Prepare to feel even more irrelevant on future election nights as the Tories have promised 21 more seats to Ontario, bringing that province's total up to a hefty 127 out of roughly 340 total seats.
True, the number is more closely tied to population and represents a similar amount of constituents per MP than other parts of Canada but regional differences must also be considered. If Ontario is given too much control in an election, then it makes it easier to forget about other provinces that have, say, 14 seats.
‰ As well, did anybody else find it hypocritical that Harper said he wanted to cut government spending and tried to do so by taking away the funding to political parties just days after he delivered Canadians the largest cabinet for a minority with 38 members.
The bloated cabinet is more than anything ever unveiled by the likes of Joe Clark and Pierre Trudeau. Jean Chretien only ever had a cabinet this large for his final 1 1/2 years in power. But while Harper increased his cabinet to curry favour with certain regions and new MPs, he could consider all Canadians by lopping a half-dozen to a dozen ministers from the roster, saving Canada $4 million to $8 million in salaries.
Oh well, that appears to be the end of my Festivus-like airing of political grievances for 2008. Enjoy the rest of December and have a fun and safe new year.

Jason Small can be reached at 691-1255.