Brian And Joe---What's Your Excuse Now?

Are you as tired as I am hearing Brian Masse whining rather than accomplishing something positive on the border issue?

I see that Joe Comartin has been nominated again to run for the NDP in the next Federal election. He may not have any real opposition now that Dwight is Minister of Finance and Eddie would have a tough time if he had to list what he accomplished as a politico.

But why shouldn't they both be easy to beat?

It's always nice being a member of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. You can whine and moan and criticize knowing that you have no responsibility for accomplishing anything. You are always right, never wrong and have the answer for everthing that ails the country. If only the Government would listen, the world would be right!

Brian and Joe, you had better warn your leader that he is departing from the script! Check out the Globe and Mail story below. If he doesn't smarten up, there may actually be an election and then where will you be? You can no longer hide behind the excuse that you are just a minority party. Your Party propped up the Government once, "the historic NDP Better Balanced Budget" and you do hold the balance of power after all.

Oh sure your party is concerned about the Windsor border since it is so vital to the economy of Canada. But I did not see that issue on the list of important matters that your Leader set out as priorities. That might be your Achilles heel.

It will be interesting to hear your excuses then as the "Government" party as to why you did nothing on the border.

Don't take support for granted, NDP warns Grits

Globe and Mail Monday, October 17, 2005

"NDP Leader Jack Layton laid out his conditions for supporting the Liberal minority government yesterday, warning Prime Minister Paul Martin that his party will not be taken for granted.

We won't keep a Parliament going just to hear Mr. Martin speak," the NDP Leader told his MPs and candidates who were attending a weekend conference in Ottawa.

Mr. Layton said he wants action on health care, post-secondary education, pensions, pollution and jobs. No one issue is more important than the other, he said, although his party will be focusing on preventing what he says is further privatization of the health-care system.

"If these Liberals want to get to work on issues like those I've mentioned, we'll be there to get things done," he told his supporters. "If not . . . Mr. Martin should understand he better not count on the NDP's support in the weeks to come."

The 19 NDP MPs in the House of Commons hold the balance of power, and so failure to respond to Mr. Layton's conditions could provoke the fall of the Martin government as early as next month. If that happens, a federal election will be held around Christmas."