The Throne Speech

I haven't time for a lengthier piece, but I did want to make a couple of comments on the Throne Speech, or rather, on the other parties' reaction to it.

I can't say that I'm surprised at the outcome of the Throne Speech.

Harper chose a clever course: introducing (or re-introducing) measures with a Conservative flavour -- generally intended as much to aggravate the Opposition as to advance their own agenda -- while offering measures that the Opposition would have difficulty refuting without looking like heartless ideologues.

Having said that, Layton and Duceppe wasted no time in appearing to be just that; decrying the Conservative agenda and suggesting, in the case of Layton that the NDP was better suited to govern Canadians, and in the case of Duceppe that the Bloc cannot support a government that does not put giving Quebec independence as their top priority. No surprises there, really. (How's that for a run-on sentence?)

They were able to do this, however, because they knew they would not have to back up their claims with action.

Dion and the Liberals are in no position to fight an election, so the other two leaders were free to bleat in the wind.

All in all, I think things are looking pretty darn good for Harper, and for Canada.

But... that's just my opinion.