Prime Minister Dion

October 7, 2008 · Posted in Conservatism.ca, News 

Here’s something we haven’t had to think too much about during the campaign.  But as the latest poll numbers appear closer, it’s something I’ve just started thinking about: Prime Minister Dion.

I find this truly frightening.

Seriously.  What if Dion won?  What if he was the “leader” of Canada?

I wonder if some Canadians who support Harper are thinking of strategically voting otherwise to “hold the Conservatives to a minority”.  If this is the case, I would encourage them to consider what they are really doing.

First of all, your vote is a vote for the leader of the country, not a vote for second place.  The ballot question is (and really always is): who do I want to be Prime Minister?

Secondly, if too many small-c conservatives vote strategically to “hold the Conservatives to a minority”, they might accidentally elect Dion and the Liberals.

Consider the consequences.  It’s not the economic “living large” times of the 1990s anymore – our largest trading partner, the world’s largest trading partner, is in peril like we haven’t seen in 70 years.  While I never supported Chretien, I always felt reasonably comfortable that he wouldn’t leave the country in total ruin, and he didn’t – although we came close a few times, like during a certain referendum.  But people must realize that the stakes today are much higher than they were in 1995.

So why would a Liberal government be so detrimental now?

You can start with the fact that Dion is the least inspiring political leader in my lifetime.  I wonder about his abilities to govern, make reasoned decisions, react appropriately – in short, his ability to lead.  If it was 1998, this wouldn’t be reason enough to worry.

But it’s not 1998 – it’s 2008, and the global economy is teetering.

Despite this, Dion seems hellbent on imposing some pretty radical transformations to our country during an economic period that is defined by instability.  While Dion tests his theories on the Canadian economy, there is a geopolitical transformation underway: the decline of America, and the rise of regional conflicts (Israel and Iran, India and Pakistan, Russia and, seemingly, everybody else).

Is Dion the Prime Minister we want dealing with these issues?  While I’m sure Dion is a “nice guy” in person, and certainly very book-smart, I can’t imagine anybody thinking he’s the right leader for this day and age.

Comments

  • UCSPanther

    If Dion gets in, he’ll probably go down in history as another Neville Chamberlain.

  • Tory Blory

    >>You can start with the fact that Dion is the least inspiring political leader in my lifetime. <<

    If this is true and he might win, what then, does it say about the leader of the Tories who made this whole stupid election about “Leadership”?

  • http://myblahg.com Robert McClelland

    Maybe conservatives should start thinking about strategic voting. There are plenty of ridings where the race is between the Liberals and the NDP that conservatives could deprive Dion of winning.

  • Sean McAllister

    If Dion gets elected Canada will see an exodus of people leaving to the U.S or anywhere else. Anywhere but there, and Quebec.

  • http://Krukb@MTS.net.ca Fay

    I am sure Danny Williams will celebrating on Mike Duffy and the broadcast today. I bet he will be very co-operative with Dion at that planning mtg with the Premiers.

  • Gary

    If Dion gets in and imposes the carbon tax, I expect that Alberta and probably Saskatchewan will react very badly. Rather than see thier economies tank because of libreal theft of their resources to support his massive welfare program to buy liberal votes in Ontario and Quebec.

    Newfoundland and the Maritimes may also regret electing that clown when thier economies tank as well.

    Having lived through one NEP, I will do ANYTHING to avoid another. If push comes to shove I would certainly vote YES in a referendum to leave Canada in those circumstances. Betetr to endure the pain of disruption for a free futire than to bear the pain to buy off the east.

    When the Prime Minister said that the carbon tax was dangeroyus ti national unity he was not talking about Quebec. The eastern media simply assumed that was his focus.

    Mr. Dion might well be the last Prime Ministger of Canada as we know it now.

  • Powell Lucas

    Actually from my point of view this would be the next best thing to a Conservative majority. Within a year Dion will have destroyed the Alberta economy. When Trudeau did this the province had little choice but to swallow it and try to weather the storm. This time the whole world is lined up to buy Alberta’s oil and the sentiment would be strongly in favour of abandoning confederation. Saskatchewan, which is enjoying the fruits of their hard work for the first time, would probably join in. This would really make me happy. I’ve had a bellyfull of the eastern socialists dictating to we here in Alberta.

  • Jim

    If Dion wins, I can think of only a few words, like…

    Rebellion

    or perhaps…

    Western separation.

    If the Libs were to win, any faith I had left in the intelligence of the Canadian voting public will be lost. Putting the fox back in the henhouse is absolutely insane.

  • Sean McAllister

    Did Dion pay his debt to Elections Canada yet? You can bet he didn’t, and we havnt heard a thing in the MSM.

  • Durward

    I too lived through Trudeau’s NEP and I agree 100% with Gary.
    If the Liberals win western seperation is all but assured and unlike Quebec the west can more than afford to go it alone, hell they would be better off.

  • potato

    By the way, where does Dion stand on Kyoto? Will he use the carbon tax to siphon money out of the West to pay off Russia and China? After all, according to Dion’s definition, doing so would still be revenue neutral.

  • skipper

    We get da ‘izzy money’ from da milk cow and send it to Ottawa.

  • http://Conservatism.ca Ontario Girl

    I wouldn’t believe the polls we are getting. For a week now this # has been on my call diplay
    V10080537260001…Looks like a voting pole #.??? Whenever i answer..they hang up….and probably write down one for the Liberals.

  • wilson

    That makes 3 NEP survivors.

    I love Canada, and I support Quebec in her desire (obsession) to keep the French language and culture alive.

    But, today,
    I want my own country.

    To watch Duceppe and Dion campaign around Ontario with the ABC…
    Quebec now wants in
    and the West may very well want out.

  • Kursk

    I suggest all of you take a deep breath and watch the Prime minister tonight.

    He is at his best, and discusses the issues at hand in this election..

    Harper is truly a leader, and when you watch, you will know..

  • wilson

    potato
    Dion doesn’t mention Kyoto anymore, his Minister of Environment, Lizzy May, will make sure we fullfill our Kyoto promise.

  • Paul Holmes

    Well, this is now my most commented upon blog entry ever.

    I only hope that Canadians think twice before casting a vote for Dion’s Liberals.

    And in case you didn’t need inspiration to get your friends and family out to vote – and to vote Conservative – these frightening polling numbers give you more reason than ever to make it happen!

    The future of our country is at stake, and there is only one clear choice!

  • JC Kelan

    Cheer up, children! You’re sounding as though the battle is lost.

    So, things are a little bleak. Time to try a bit harder.

    Dion as PM? That should motivate you!

    JC Kelan

  • http://www.sortofpolitical.com Springer

    I was in Lloydminster, AB, during the NEP. It caused economic havoc, and ruined tens of thousands of livelihoods. Businesses were tanking everywhere.

    Albertans definitely will not sit through another episode inflicted upon them like that.

    And if it comes to that, this is one puppy who will be leaving BC back to Alberta to join them.

  • http://www.sortofpolitical.com Springer

    Actually, keeping in mind that poll out of New Brunswick and today’s developments, plus interviews with both Robertson and Mansbridge coming up tonight…

    I sense that today will be the crucial turning point into the home stretch.

  • Kursk

    Absolutely Springer!!..hold fast!

  • Richard

    Dion as Prime Minister may very well be our worst nightmare. I am a very proud Canadian, but am also from Alberta and would have to seriously think twice of being in a country that would elect a PM whose main plank would pit one end of the County against another.

    This is so much more than an issue over a maintenance contract (F18′s anyone) or a policy that benefits one area more than another; this is a pillaging of one corner of the country for the benefit of another.

    I am so glad that this time Alberta will not be alone. It will be nice to have Saskatchewan on side.

    But all is not lost. A lot can happen in a week and none of the polls seem to distribute the undecided voters. I would imagine that there are a lot of them.

  • Blog’s socks

    If Dion wins, count me in as a new Alberta separatist.

  • http://www.bluelikeyou.com/2008/10/07/are-they-redder-than-you-think/ Blue Like You » Blog Archive » They may be redder than you think

    [...] Minister Dion – Conservatism.ca Posted in Federal Election, economy [...]

  • P

    Guys guys guys. No need to panic. That’s what Liberals do. Let them be complacent.

    I’m sure the Tories are going in full attack mode for the rest of the week. If they don’t, then they deserve a dismal result of E-night.

    They also have a ton of money to spend of TV adverts over the long weekend. I think they’ve saved up most of their money just for that cuz I haven’t seen any Tories ads on TV.

  • Eldon Murray

    If Dion managed to become PM, I may be forced to accept my dad’s offer of moving overseas and working with him…as much as I love Alberta. Either that or join the battle forces of separation and volunteer…

  • Ron

    If Canadians elect Dion as PM and Alberta & the rest of the WEST secede/separate, I will move out of this socialist union of Canada (also called Ontario and Quebec ) and join the independent Republic of Saskatchewan and Alberta !!!

  • oldfarmer

    Wow. What a lot of talk about western seperation. If Dion is elected it will be the end of this country. I am with you. Its time to get out.