I’ve been sitting on the sidelines on this issue. My buddy over on the third floor is pretty pumped up about the fact that this could be history in the making. A party leader who gets trashed in an election, is about 2 steps away from become the Prime Minister of Canada. Stephen Harper, meanwhile, could leave a legacy as being the PM in charge of the longest minority government, followed by the shortest in Canadian history.

Before I begin though, I should disclose, that I failed to vote in the past election. In my own words, this basically nullifies any right I have to bitch and complain about anything governmental until the next election. But I just got married, was going to be out of the country, and just didn’t have the time with planning and all to get to the advanced poll. So sue me. With that being said, I had been on the fence about either voting for the Conservatives or the Green party at the time. My riding went the way of the Reds (which has been the case for every election since I was born, for the record).

Strangely, if you talked to the public before the election, and you asked which party was best equipped to lead Canada through a recession, I think most (I’m projecting here) would say the Conservatives. Dion and his “Green plan”, though ambitious, seemed less plausible, especially without a lot more government money.

So my question is, what has changed so much in the past 7 days, that has led this “coalition” to be formed between the Libs, NDP and the Bloc (aside: what?? The BLOC?). Simple. Nothing has changed. Just the fact that the Libs, NDP and Bloc realize that this is the only way that they can get into power for the next few years, so why not role the dice. They say it’s better for Canadians. I say, its sour grapes. Is it because I’m biased? Could be. But here is the reality. The Bloc will NEVER be able to form a government. They exist to stir up sh*t (for which I am not opposed). The NDP – its possible, but not for a very long time, I would think. And the Libs? Well, they just go their butts handed to them, led by a guy who backdoored his way into party leadership. But it seems they'll do anything to attain the power they crave. Let's be clear - this is not the will of the people, its the will of politicians, doing what they do best. And hey, if Dion can backdoor into party leadership, why not the PM's job too!

Is this coalition the best group to lead a country through a recession? I don’t know the formal rules of a coalition, but I would think that a formal cohesive party at least has an initial lead. A party with a history of fiscal restraint and putting economic issues on the front burner – yeah…I’m thinking they probably have it MORE right than the alternative. That’s not to say that there are problems, or holes to be fixed in the proposed budget. But how about we negotiate with them, and have them moderate their plan, rather than doing something wholly radical, during a time where level heads need to prevail?

Either way, the point is likely moot. Its likely only two alternatives now – election or coalition. Obama they are not. I can't help but feel a little excited, just like Third Floor does, for the prospect of something new and different and turning a political system on its head. At the same time, I'm not sure I want the potential fallout of job losses, and economic disaster for the sake of a little personal entertainment.