Squandering the gift of democracy

I rarely agree with Jack Layton but he's right on the money about the Liberals not doing their job in Parliament.

Steve Janke points out how in some parts of the world, it is very dangerous to oppose the government. However, here in Canada, there is no fear of loss of life - Indeed, the Official Opposition is paid to oppose.

Yet they cower and hide when it comes time to vote.

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Saturday Update- Liberals to assess best odds, Dion says (Globe):

"It's rare that the population wants an election, but we can feel it when the fruit is ripe. And at that time - it's not up to me to tell you when; it's part of the strategy that we keep close to our chest - there will be an election."

(This from the leader with 'no instinct'.)

L. Ian MacDonald calls this a non-denial denial by Iggy (Gazette) when asked about the quote in La Presse where he supposedly said that "Stéphane Dion doesn't have the stature of a leader":

"I have worked tirelessly for our party and our leader and will continue to work with our strong Liberal team to ensure we win the next election," he declared. "No one has the right to call my loyalty into question."

Back in Ron Zeigler's time in the Nixon White House, this was known as a non-denial denial. Iggy didn't deny the quote, and La Presse pointedly stood by the story.

Also, yesterday there was a good article in the Ottawa Citizen - Finding out how your MP voted can be an exercise in futility.