Priorities

[c9]

I don't like this choice. The government is (some feel) being forced to choose between passing the equal marriage bill, or passing the budget. One will provide equal marriage to the 12% of Canadians who still don't have access to it, with the 7% or so in Alberta still having problems since that province will fight it for a while. The other will provide $1.6 billion for affordable housing, millions for evironmental initiatives, millions for post-secondary education, $500 million for foreign aid... all very important and very needed things. All of which will have a positive and long-term impact on quality of life.

How much are human rights worth? $4.6 billion? *sigh* i know the bill will pass, but just because we know equality will eventually come doesn't mean that it's OK to delay it. "You'll be equal in the fall, can't you just wait?" At the same time, if the government fell over the budget, which it's always within a couple votes of doing, then it all falls apart and all those investments disappear. Even if the Liberals won the election (which currently seems likely), bills would have to be re-introduced, and go through the whole rigamarole all over again. Delay delay delay.

I sometimes think about getting into politics, but I don't think I'd get anywhere. I have no patience for bullshit and bureaucracy. If I can't even wait for a new monitor request to travel through channels at work, how would I be able to handle the House of Commons??

Comments

[nihilicious.livejournal.com]

It's not a Sophie's Choice between the budget and C-38. It's not even a Taster's Choice. The government can do both, if it exercises the political will. They're allowing it to look like their being forced into a choice, so that they can make a compromise that they think is in their political best interest.

I don't know why I added that bit in about the Taster's Choice. But I think we'll all agree we're better for it.

I'm not as confident that it will get passed if it waits until the fall. A lot can happen over the summer. I suspect that opponents have some trick up their sleeve--why else are they willing to sacrifice everything to get a delay? Also, the funding of pro-equal-marriage groups like CEM is a bit uncertain. I know the Catholic Church will be around to lobby in the fall; I'm not as sure that our side can keep it together as long.

Plus, I'm just so depressed at the thought of not being able to put this thing to bed. Obsessed as I seem to be, I'm also really sick of the whole thing. I want to start being obsessed with something else now.

[c9.livejournal.com]

Exactly! They've already won votes on both, and could do so again as long as everybody keeps their counting hats on. Canadians forget all sorts of things over the summer, so passing everything now will allow everybody to relax. It's annoying.

I was pleased to read Jack!!!* Layton's take on things, even if it comes at the bottom of every article on the topic:

The leader of the NDP, Jack Layton, says his party is ready to sit into the summer as well, but it's the Liberals who seem reluctant.

"It would take a simple vote of the House to extend the work time so we can get it done. If the prime minister doesn't have the political will to make sure that happens, that's a disgrace. And he's breaking a promise to Canadians," said Layton.

* I've realized that Jack Layton's name never looks right to me unless it's really really enthusiastic and energetic. I think that's a good thing.