No time for poli sci lessons

We learned a lot about politics and civics - not to mention civility – this past week.

Hopefully, the antics of the attempted effort to form a “coalition” between the New Democrats and a hesitant Liberal Party will have settled down by next month.

After all, the economy is now in free fall; local and provincial job losses are more than matched by others across the country, regardless of our being in better economic and financial shape than our G7 partners.

On their part, the Liberals seem to have been drawn into the scheme by the NDP, as well as by the reemergence of Jean Chretien. In reality, in the midst of probably the most important leadership race in which they have been engaged in decades, they had more important, long-range things to do than provide vote fodder to the NDP and Bloc.

The Liberals have to provide a successor to Stephen Harper in the next two to six years. They have one of the most advanced - but still developing, countries to govern well within the next decade.

The concept of a “coalition” isn’t foreign to the parliamentary system. It’s just it’s usually only at the provincial level here, or in wartime. Ramshackle governments are not our way. Usually, he or she who gets across the line with the most wins. Though British PMs and Canadian premiers may govern for some time without their administrations being elected, it’s not something Canadians have done federally – note John Turner’s tenure.

We could go on again and be mean about the current Liberal leader, but we should be looking to the future, and that’s next month.

Her Excellency Michaelle Jean had three major choices: prorogue or suspend, let the others form a government or call an election. She made the right choice. It’s now up to the prime minister, party leaders and MPs to show they are worthy of the decision. After all, huge swaths of good jobs are being lost, and it’s not even winter yet.

It was interesting to see the takes of certain national broadcasters when they thought Harper was toast. The following day, with the prime minister’s approval ratings heading for the roof, attitudes noticeably changed. Along with federal political party and high-brow arts funding, publicly-funded broadcasting is likely to feature prominently in the Conservatives’ not-so-hidden agenda in the future.

It’s up to the other politicians to mitigate and remediate any rash policies or actions, but in a civil way - and one in keeping with our traditions.

We’re facing a crisis none of the baby boomer and younger generations have even contemplated, a struggle with no enemy and no known cure.

We need everyone on board, rowing in the same direction. All four parties had better be in the coalition of the willing in this one.

After all, Her Excellency still has other choices. We really don’t want another political science lesson when we’re trying to keep food on the table.