Manitoba United Cast: Sandra Who-skins?

Ah, the Free Press, Manitoba's great gift to clarity of purpose. We see ulterior purpose each time they put ink on newsprint about Man U, don't we?

Well, don't we?

Case in point (as if you needed it...): Sandra Who-skins (Hoskins.)

Sandra What-skins?

Heh .....

Ok, ok, sorry, sorry Sandra. To be fair, you ran in an election, and apparently you are on the Liberal board, so the Internet remembers you at least.

The Internet remembers when you said:

"Why are you running?

Three years ago, my daughter contacted Gary Doer, Theresa Oswald, Hugh McFayden and Jon Gerrard. Jon Gerrard was the only politician who responded to request for help. Jon helped us navigate the health care system to have my daughter placed on the waiting list for a double hip transplant. Six months later, my daughter had both her hips replaced one week apart. It fundamentally changed her life. From this experience, I have learned that one person can make a significant difference in the lives of others. I am running to make a difference for the voters in Dawson Trail.

Do you remember, Sandra, when the man who the Free Press says you just called a toxic obsequious toad of a carnival barker, inspired you through his right actions to take part in the political process?

Well, the Internet remembers, Sandra Who-skins. And now everyone who reads this blog does, too.

Ladies and gentlemen, let me be so very clear on the topic of why the Manitoba United party is a requirement for the next Manitoba Provincial election.

I present to you:  Sandra How-skins

Because persons like Sandra are so involved in it, the current Liberal Party of Manitoba holds very, very low attraction for most right-minded persons. And we are legion.

The ideas that the party is to represent (which ones? Watch Jon for a while, it becomes obvious...), these core ideas get lost in the grade-school rhetoric of a who-gives-a-crap 'party insider' like Sandra Hoskins. Yeah, I actually know her name.

Because the Winnipeg Free Press (a misnomer if there ever was one, 'cause it ain't cheap to buy this paper...) prints Sandra little ranty, and not the real story, they win the award for most transparent ulterior motive of the year. (If we're lucky, the Black Rod (s) will hand them the prize.... go get'm big guy (s))

Sandra is an important character in the Manitoba United cast due mainly to the 'what we must reject' nature of her role. You have to walk away from her, you just have to, and that's a cool chunk of cathartic art right there. I could not have written her any better myself (and I have mad skills, and you know that.)

Oh, and by the way, Manitoba Party? Umm... did anyone hear that the name is taken? Oh you did? And you still refer to the new party as the Manitoba Party? Oh... did you ever hear of the law? I mean, like, ever?

Manitoba United Party.

It is inevitable.

Thanks to people like Sandra, the time is nigh.

Thanks Sandra. You made a difference after all.

'Manitoba United' Breaking News: 2 Down, 1 to Go...

(I am too slow to affect history, clearly. Cant even get it all out there in Blog-print before it starts happening....)

Writing away on the next installment of of the 'Man U' pieces, when two of the three shoes drop.

The Green Shoe, and the Red Shoe.

Only need the Blue Shoe, and then Man U will be walking hard.

Look, folks, the 'Man U' official colours are Blue, Red, and Green. And I'm not taking any of these materials back, ok? The colours are picked, and they ain't changing.

The Graphic Arts tail wags the Party Dog this time.

(Hello Blue Rod.

Had enough time off yet?

Time to get busy, compadre. Man U needs your colour, ok?)

Ok, so, like I was saying, the three parties unite under one tent, and go all-out against the Kings and Queen's of Orange. Obvious enough.

If this was just about two parties joining, sure, we'd all yawn, right? Believe me, it ain't that.

The 'real' journalists thinks Uniting Green and Red is about 'saving / growing their little parties'. Go read the Freep article today, you'll see.

Hey, real journalist. Maybe you should think a little bit about what happens when the conservative base looks at the last Liberal platform and says,

'Gee Martha... they are much more fiscally conservative and responsible that the PC's....'

'And that nice Dr. Gerrard would never privatize Hydro, Stanley.'

'And those Greens actually seem to care about farmers, Martha. Look, they even understand the whole watershed issue out here in the country... Hair's a little long, but so was cousin Eddie's, and he turned out all right.'

'Stanley, I heard they want to change the voting system, let people have their say about who they like, and who they don't like.'

'Well, you don't say, Martha... you don't say...."

(Give a farmer a chance to gripe a little, and you will make one man happier.)

Do you get this vision, my Freep friends? Are you feeling the real potential behind Man U?

Well, if you aren't, that's ok. Its pretty bold stuff, this sea-change in Manitoba Politics. Takes a while to really sink in. Just stay open, alright?

(Toodle, doodle, doo... one Blue Shoe....)

Ciao, folks.

United Review 1: In Support and Against 'Man U'

(Sneaky Man U usage, hmmm? You think Manchester United's copy write protection would extend to cover my little theft? Not bloody likely, eh, wot?


Its not an admission of theft, Legal. Just stirring the fun pot, s'all.)

Let's begin a year long review of the reasons why, and why not, to Unite all other political factions in Manitoba to run against the NDP Government, including some how's and why's for the whole thing, with an article on the heart of the for-and-against argument, and a big fat run on sentence. Run-on having been accomplished, let's proceed with the rest.

A. Why Not to Unite

Coming together under one roof, so to speak, has one serious drawback; the people you suddenly find yourself shoulder to shoulder with.

I heard this at just such a party (in my mind...)

'So Jon says to James, 'I really did like your carr-uncy idea. Barter with vegetables might spark rural entrepreneurs to supply more local produce.' And Hugh says, 'But Jon, how the hell do we list that on the Exchange...?' James says, 'Carbon Credits, Hugh. Carbon Credits.' Then James looks at Jon and rolls his eyes, you know that look.....

Who's gonna blink, folks? Who will give up on their core beliefs to pitch in with the 'other guys'? It's like the geeks and the hippies and the jocks all coming together in some raucous teen dramady where the pimply-faced factions unite to stop something... something important to them all..... something they never faced before in their pampered, sheltered childhoods. A coming of age story in Keystone rather than Devon.

What could spur such famous foes to pitch the big United tent and play the most important game of their lives, together, as a team?

Watch your coming of age teen dramadies, kiddies. Its all about the love interest they share. She who crosses all cliques, who digs nobel response from pocket protector, jock strap, and jean jacket. The lady with the secret which, once revealed, spurs even the most hardened clique leader to secret meeting with his most bitter, bitter rivals. (Uh, yeah, ladies, trade genders in the above as you wish. Its a device, not a male dominated society admission. Cool, thanks.)

So, gentle reader, ask yourself this; what could our three leaders love so selflessly that they would turn from tradition and historic trajectory towards a sardine can full of bitter enemies?

Go on, ask yourself.

If you can't find an answer, don't worry. You are in good company, as it appears that no-one knows.

(Yet.)

So, the main argument against 'Man U' (aka The Manitoba United Party) is this: The established parties and their leaders do not seem to love anything more than their own interests.

Heartbreaking. And I mean that most sincerely.

To be sure, all other complex, persnickety, pesky problems involving uniting into one party flow from this lack of selfless, sacrificing, super-love to unite them. Trapped in their cliques, the Keystone High School kids are doomed to forever lose the big homecoming game to the Dipper High team, and the head cheerleader will once again lose the bet and have to... ummm... I guess this is a family blog, you'll have to imagine what she has to do (hint: it ain't pretty.)

Lets see if we can help those Keystone High kids this time.


B. Why to Unite

(Cue Holly Cole, 'My Foolish Heart: "This time its loooovvee.... this time its love, My, Fooooo-lish, Heaaart...."


I love her so much.)

Anyways, let's cut to the chase on 'why to unite' against the NDP (aka The Kings and Queens of Orange).

NEWSFLASH: First-Past-The-Post Voting System Corrupting Democracy in Keystone Province, Plethora of Parties Leads to Appointment of New Monarchy

Ummm... Natural Ruling Party? Heard of it? Do you get what they mean when they call themselves (or are called) the natural ruling party either Federally or Provincially? Remember when they used to say 'I rule by rights given to me by God..."

Natural Ruling Party means that, by pandering to a rock-solid core of their most zealous supporters, that party can defeat the other parties through vote splitting. Every time, forever, or until the cows come home with the flying pigs in tow.

That such a party exists means that a core principle has been cut from the Democratic Apple, being, that there is a GOVERNMENT IN WAITING WHO IS HER (HIS) MAJESTY'S MOST LOYAL OPPOSITION*.

The test of the true mettle of those drawn to politics is never found in the hall of power. It is found in the vestibule, the gallery, the groundswell, the answer to the cry of the mother who weeps for a child cruelly mistreated by The Government.

The test for those crazy Keystone High School kids isn't how well they would govern. It is how well they react to the condition which causes them to always fail separately. They are tested best when they are powerless.

It is why they are the most loyal, serving the Queen (King) despite not being in power. In fact, such service is the highest form, the most nobel, and that service is relied upon most heavily by the Queen (King) for the democratic system to function as intended.

Without such selfless service, the party in power stays in power, indefinitely, and they can do whatever the hell they like, right? I mean, not to put to fine a point on it, but that is a fact, right?

Further, and listen closely: by failing in their duty to Her Majesty, the Keystone kids are actually letting vile usurpers walk right in the front door of the palace. By failing to provide an alternative to the NDP government, the other parties are causing, in effect, a new Monarchy to form.

(Yes, this is why I have been calling them the Kings and Queens of Orange. Now you get it, right? Good.)

Her Majesty is to represent her office as best she can. Her office represent the highest form of nobility, the best of us, our pinnacle, our ideal. She travels, speaks, signs, presides over, causes, and inspires the rest of us to do the very best we can for her most sacred trust: the well being of her Citizens.

Her Citizens are our children. They are our wives, our husbands, mothers, fathers, friends and foes, families and the family-less. Rich, poor, and all gradients in between. They is us, all of us.

So by failing to selflessly love her Majesty's office, the Keystone kids remain powerless to stop the vile usurpers in the Natural Ruling Party. The new Kings and Queens serve only their friends, and not 'the people', because they can, and because it works for them in the first past the post system. Yes, same for the Federal King, his Highness Harper. Same thing, same results.

In Manitoba, the homecoming game is lost, the cheerleader (yes, folks, its the Queen) has her fate sealed, and the kids hang their heads, in shame, once again. Damn. If only....

(Now tell me, doesn't this sound like a much better description of what is happening in Manitoban politics today than the other pundits have poured out thus far? Thanks. I need the stroking.)

So, why unite?

To save the Queen, 'natch. I'm telling you, its always about that selfless love thing.


In Summation: 

This last Manitoba Provincial election taught all three losing parties that they cannot form government under these current conditions. Yes, blame the voting system, but also blame those who played right into it.

To continue along this path, I am of the opinion that the three parties (you like this James? I'm totally including you guys, and I mean it) are committing an act that will, in the future, be seen as nothing short of treasonous. Continuing on this way is against the Queen, her subjects, and against democracy.

And now the hammer: either we abandon, wholesale, the Keystone leaders and their cliques in order to form a new United party, or we are just as guilty as they are, and shame on us.

That is... unless they see clearly the folly of their ways, get together, and pitch the tent.

(The big game is 3.5 years away, boys. Do not wait until it is 2 years away, or it could be too late.)


NEXT UP: The Rod Rouge plows 9.5 years into the future to find the United Party un-United, but in a very different (see: non-treasonous) way. 


Oh, those crazy Keystone kids!!


PS: I'm going to work hard over the next year. Oh, boy, would I ever appreciate more links on folks' blogs....




* Stylin' formatting inspired by the Black Rod's Blog, All Rights Reserved.

NDP vs. Manitoba United Vote Count in 2011 Election

Nearly a month to add this up. That's not all I did, but hell's, that's a lot of adding, folks. In my spare time I did this. I reek of dedication, right? Thanks.

Below you will find all NDP seats won by them in the 2011 Manitoba Provincial Election.

At the head of each riding result listed below you will find the "NDP to United" vote count (eg. 1234 to 4321)

('United? wass'at mean, precious...?' you ask. 'All other votes', I say... for now....)

We'll start with this list, and go forward publishing various articles regarding:

1. A new United Party called.... The Manitoba United Party.

2. Inclusion of the Lib's, PC's, and Greens!! (Whoo-hoo!! Start the fireworks!!!)

3. The necessity of including, as a fundamental unwavering election promise, the revamping of the current election system, to be completed 2 years before the subsequent election.

But for now, to the list below, and a general observation.

Obviously, my magic number (7) required to flip from NDP to 'United' is not mathematically present in the list below. We clearly win Tyndall Park, St. Norbert, St. James, and Kirkfield Park. That's cool, but we're 3 shy of a victory. Poor us, hmm?

But check this out.... look at the spitting distance test in each remaining riding. Ask, hey... did the United vote come within spitting distance of winning in Transcona, The Maples, Swan River, Southdale, Selkirk, Seine River, Riel, Radisson, Logan, Kildonan, Kewatinook, Interlake, Gimli, Fort Rouge, Fort Richmond, Fort Garry Riverview, Flin Flon, Elmwood, Dawson Trail, Dauphin, or Brandon East?

Well? Did they?

Depends on how far y'all spit, but given I am gob-blessed and can spit 10% of a vote count if justice is on my side and the sun is just right, then 'hell's yeah' is the answer in many of the ridings listed above.

Waaayyy more potential winners than makes up the magic number, if 10% is a good spitting distance, and even 1/2 came through on the good side.

Hmmmm... I say. Are we resonant, folks? Hmmmm... all at the same time.

Lets explore, yes?

NEXT UP: a list of factors to write on, and on, and on about regarding particular and general influences of a United Vote, both up or downwards, on the next general election.

Toodles!

Wolseley 4229 to 2755

Candidate Name Party Votes

ALTEMEYER, Rob NDP 4,229

BEDDOME, James GPM 1,368

TURKA, Harpreet PC 850

STEWART, Eric V.T. Lib. 517

Tyndall Park  2596 to 3152

Candidate Name Party Votes

MARCELINO, Ted NDP 2,596

SEVILLANO, Roldan C. Lib. 2,007

AGLUGUB, Cris PC 908

KOSHELANYK, Dean GPM 237

Transcona 4488 to 3219

Candidate Name Party Votes

REID, Daryl NDP 4,488

STAPON, Craig PC 2,668

McLEOD-JASHYN, Faye Lib. 551

Thompson 2586 to 1188

Candidate Name Party Votes

ASHTON, Steve NDP 2,586

CAMPBELL, Anita PC 1,068

DILLEN, Ken Lib. 120

The Pas  2995 to 1074

Candidate Name Party Votes

WHITEHEAD, Frank NDP 2,995

McDONALD, Alfred PC 959

TESSEMA, Girma Lib. 115

The Maples 3894 to 3619

Candidate Name Party Votes

SARAN, Mohinder NDP 3,894

TOMAS, Jose Dakila C. PC 1,943

SARINAS, Pablito Lib. 1,395

REDEKOPP, John GPM 281

Swan River 4280 to 3342

Candidate Name Party Votes

KOSTYSHYN, Ron NDP 4,280

POWELL, Dave PC 3,078

COOK, Reynold Lib. 264

St.Vital 5023 to 3337

Candidate Name Party Votes

ALLAN, Nancy NDP 5,023

BROWN, Mike PC 2,876

WOLBERT, Harry Lib. 461

St. Norbert 3966 to 4818

Candidate Name Party Votes

GAUDREAU, Dave NDP 3,966

VELTHUYS, Karen PC 3,935

LAURENDEAU, Marcel Lib. 883

St. Johns 4157 to 2145

Candidate Name Party Votes

MACKINTOSH, Gord NDP 4,157

LARKIN, Ray PC 1,405

WEINBERG, Alon David GPM 392

MUELLER, Trevor Lib. 348

St.James 4432 to 4476

Candidate Name Party Votes

CROTHERS, Deanne NDP 4,432

GILLINGHAM, Scott PC 3,414

ALLARD, Gerard Lib. 685

VANDALE, Trevor GPM 377

St.Boniface 5914 to 2673

Candidate Name Party Votes

SELINGER, Greg NDP 5,914

CLARK, Frank PC 1,537

GROSS, Brad Lib. 606

LANDRY, Alain GPM 530

Southdale  5662 to 5225

Candidate Name Party Votes

SELBY, Erin NDP 5,662

EASTMAN, Judy PC 4,898

SINGH, Amarjit Lib. 327

Selkirk 4279 to 3359

Candidate Name Party Votes

DEWAR, Greg NDP 4,279

BELL, David K. PC 3,008

COURCHENE, Marilyn Lib. 351

Seine River 5500 to 4864

Candidate Name Party Votes

OSWALD, Theresa NDP 5,500

STEEVES, Gord PC 4,569

OSINAME, Troy Lib. 295

Rossmere 5392 to 4137

Candidate Name Party Votes

BRAUN, Erna NDP 5,392

SIDHU, Kaur (Karl) PC 3,430

BELLIVEAU, Rene Lib. 356

MAYDANIUK, Evan GPM 351

River Heights (Just for fun...)

Candidate Name Party Votes

GERRARD, Jon Lib. 4,756

MORANTZ, Marty PC 3,389

MANNING, Dan NDP 1,843

CAMERON, Elizabeth May GPM 370

Riel 5352 to 4396

Candidate Name Party Votes

MELNICK, Christine NDP 5,352

SQUIRES, Rochelle PC 3,916

GILARSKI, Cheryl Lib. 480

Radisson 5033 to 4094

Candidate Name Party Votes

JHA, Bidhu NDP 5,033

PENNER, Desmond PC 3,588

ROBERT, Shirley Lib. 506

Point Douglas  3806 to 1350

Candidate Name Party Votes

CHIEF, Kevin NDP 3,806

VERNAUS, John PC 917

BOURGEOIS, Mary Lou Lib. 257

PUN, Teresa GPM 176

RANKIN, Darrell CPC-M 38

Minto 3615 to 1773

Candidate Name Party Votes

SWAN, Andrew NDP 3,615

SQUANCE, Belinda PC 833

WOODSTOCK, Don Lib. 609

DYCK, Harold GPM 331

CARR, Cheryl-Anne E CPC-M 56

Logan 2985 to 2096

Candidate Name Party Votes

MARCELINO, Flor NDP 2,985

CHAN, Joe Lib. 868

KRAWETZ, Tyrone PC 840

ANDREWS, Kristen GPM 335

TYMOSHCHUK, David CPC-M 53

Kirkfield Park - 4928 to 5613

Candidate Name Party Votes

BLADY, Sharon NDP 4,928

de GROOT, Kelly PC 4,907

BOKHARI, Syed Lib. 367

GRAY, Alanna GPM 339

Kildonan - 4808 to 3271

Candidate Name Party Votes

CHOMIAK, Dave NDP 4,808

PENNER, Darrell PC 2,880

SAGRIOTIS, Dimitrius Lib. 391

Kewatinook - 2043 to 1532

Candidate Name Party Votes

ROBINSON, Eric NDP 2,043

BIRCH, Michael PC 1,389

GREEN, Philip GPM 94

WOODFORD, Orville Lib. 49

Interlake - 3374 to 3312

Candidate Name Party Votes

NEVAKSHONOFF, Tom NDP 3,374

LUPKY, Steve PC 2,903

ZASITKO, John Ind. 215

RATT, Albert Lib. 194

Gimli - 5012 to 4716

Candidate Name Party Votes

BJORNSON, Peter NDP 5,012

WHARTON, Jeff PC 4,210

WHITEMAN, Glenda GPM 309

EINARSSON, Lawrence Lib. 197

Fort Rouge - 4501 to 4286

Candidate Name Party Votes

HOWARD, Jennifer NDP 4,501

HESSE, Paul PC 2,031

DOMINIQUE, Sonny Lib. 1,778

WEEDON, Stephen GPM 477

Fort Richmond - 4026 to 3505

Candidate Name Party Votes

IRVIN-ROSS, Kerri NDP 4,026

McCAFFREY, Shaun PC 2,908

HILES, Dustin Lib. 369

McINTYRE, Caitlin GPM 226

Fort Garry-Riverview - 5146 to 4117

Candidate Name Party Votes

ALLUM, James NDP 5,146

RABB, Ian PC 3,052

FREEDMAN, Kevin Lib. 666

BACKÉ, Daniel GPM 399

Flin Flon - 1901 to 1411

Candidate Name Party Votes

PETTERSEN, Clarence NDP 1,901

LINKLATER, Darcy PC 791

HEINE, Thomas Lib. 510

HARVIE, Saara GPM 110

Elmwood - 3864 to 3212

Candidate Name Party Votes

MALOWAY, Jim NDP 3,864

HUTTEN, David PC 2,399

DRATOWANY, Anthony Lib. 467

ESKRITT, Ray GPM 346

Dawson Trail - 4291 to 3875

Candidate Name Party Votes

LEMIEUX, Ron NDP 4,291

TETRAULT, Laurent (Larry) PC 3,554

HOSKINS, Sandra Lib. 321

Dauphin - 4463 to 3679

Candidate Name Party Votes

STRUTHERS, Stan NDP 4,483

McKINNEY, Lloyd J. PC 3,356

FRIESEN, Tamela GPM 199

TESSEMA, Sisay Lib. 124

Concordia - 4008 to 2348

Candidate Name Party Votes

WIEBE, Matt NDP 4,008

WARRAICH, Naseer PC 1,803

POIRIER, Ryan GPM 308

OYELERU, Isaiah Lib. 237

Burrows - 3063 - 2099

Candidate Name Party Votes

WIGHT, Melanie NDP 3,063

NEGRYCH, Rick PC 1,314

MOTKALUK, Twyla Lib. 629

PEEPEETCH, Garett GPM 124

KOMARNISKI, Frank CPC-M 32

Brandon East - 3864 to 3168

Candidate Name Party Votes

CALDWELL, Drew NDP 3,864

WADDELL, Mike PC 2,711

CAMERON, Shaun Lib. 280

FLEURY, Vanda GPM 177

Assiniboia - 5095 to 3656

Candidate Name Party Votes

RONDEAU, Jim NDP 5,095

AUCH, Susan PC 3,258

SHENG, Anlina GPM 204

BOKHARI, Moe Lib. 194

Where am I...? (More answer, less question.)

Hey, check this out. This is what I've been up to the last month.

So I'm mulling over the whole schtick about the Liberals 'dying', and the PC's 'dying', and the stupid electoral system that we use to award the minority a majority.

And I decided to do a wee little study, esp. in light of my recommendation last month, and the Frickin' Black Rod stealing my secret idea... idea. I figured I need to get scientific to one-up the folks at super-stylin' ville (way to go slipping back to bold city, eh?)

So lets do some quick math, ok?

Here are the official 2011 election results:

NDP	37	199,066	46.16%
PC	19	188,528	43.71%
Lib.	1	32,420	7.52%
CPC-M	0	179	0.04%
GPM	0	10,886	2.52%
Ind.	0	215	0.05%

Wow, who cares, right? I mean, the NDP get a smokin' majority of seats with the majority of votes lined up against them. So what, eh?

Exactly. So what. Its depressing when you look at it this way.

But.

Add 19 (PC) + 1 (Liberal) = 20

Subtract 20 from 37 = 17

Divide 17 by 2 (you lose = we win) = 9 (yes, I rounded up.)

Magic number for election victory? 9 seats.

Hmmm... so I wonder, how many seats would have changed hands through a 'united second party' strategy from the 2011 results alone...?

And, ummm... hmmm... would a united party actually get more votes in the next election?

(that's where I'm burning the midnight oil....)

So, guess what I am doing. Right. You guessed it. The whole shebang, in a series of posts, just for you, lovelies.

Stay tuned, folks. Its going to be very interesting.

Black Rod, you might be surprised at these results given your 'Liberal are irrelevant' routine of late. Or not, I guess. I still haven't found the dosh to spring for your secret recipe for success, so you might already know all this.

(If you do, don't frickin' publish it, ok?? I'm working hard over here.)

Cheers

Frickin' Black Rod Steals My 'Secret Idea'... Idea

...you know, a Rouge Rod could get glowin' hot upon waking to find another Rod in the Red Idea cookie jar. Feeling a bit like Gollum, tricksy thieving Black Hobbits'es....

See, I had this secret idea for the next election. And I figured I'd leak it ever so slowly in my little blog posts, just a hint at a time, then, whammo!! I'd launch that sucker full force. I was actually feelin' a little smug and smart, and I'll admit to liking those all-to-rare feelings.

(I never thought about asking for money, though. I'm such a Newb, right? Good on you, B.R. (s))

So today I read that the Black Rod has already figured out the winning formula for a revitalized Liberal / PC winning ticket. And He's (she's) gonna sell it on eBay (or something....)

And since I am quite sure there is only one secret formula, and since I was literally working on presenting said formula... I'm pissed, just a little.

Can you blame me??

(Hey, read the thievin' tricksy hobbits'es' post here: http://blackrod.blogspot.com/)

Anyways, about the secret formula. Check this out.

Funny thing about polarity, the gathering of 'constituents' on either end leaves mucho room in the middle separating the extremes. Light vs. dark, hot vs. cold, labour vs. business, good vs. evil, city vs. country, yadda yadda. The more polarization, the more the 'barbell' effect leaves most on the extremes, with few in the middle (right, Grit friends?)

The gulf of extremism divides and conquers.

Right?

(Cue the therapy couch image, soft music, and me with my pipe....)

But we don't live in a world of black or white. We can't survive in Hot or Cold alone. Too much light or darkness both lead to blindness. Look at the distribution of population around the world. We flock to temperate, thrive there, multiply there.

So, step one: Polarization Must Be Countered, Temperate Must Reign.

No more city vs. country. No more labour vs. business. No more rugged individualist vs. died-in-wool socialist. It is time to join the factions in the shades of grey where a thriving economy could live.

(If it were not for the transfer payments, I'd be stating the obvious. But those frickin' welfare cheques cover the truth, don't they? Let's rip the lid off, 'k?)

For brevity, let me proceed rapidly through the remainder of the steps.

Under the new banner of temperate unity, follow the remaining 7 Step Rod Rouge Secret Formula (BAM! Take that, BR!):

1. Unite the PC and Liberal parties.
2. Run on ethical fiscal management, efficient + effective social programming, and a new voting system.
3. Do not frickin' promise a single penny in additional spending, and do not borrow (EVER!!).
4. Expose the current NDP regime simply for what it is.
5. Win the next election.
6. Change the voting system once in power.
7. Face the brave new world a better voting system brings.

Polarization is the enemy of the Keystone Province. It must be destroyed. The PC and Liberal parties must step up to this task starting _right now_. Only a unified front can counter the Lefty Machine. Nothing else will do it (bloody hell, talk about stating the obvious.) We must do this now.

Must, as in, we have NO OTHER ETHICAL CHOICE. Think of the children, ok?

Well.... there is one other choice, I guess. You could buy the Black Rod's idea. You know, if you have any money left, right...? (Heh....)

Oh, my plan would offend your little Federal Friends?

Don't care.

Oh, it would alienate some of your base?

Right, unlike now...

Oh, (fill in some other silly excuse)...

Stop. Just stop being childish and self-interested.

Just Do It. Do the Rod Rouge Plan.

Do It Now, for the children, ok?

So ok, there you have it. Free. I don't even use banner ads. Totally no charge, no profit. Just a better Manitoba for me and mine, you are yours, they and theirs. Good enough for me, and you are welcome.

If you PC's or Grits want a fancy formated version, with maybe some additional options, buy the Black Rod's version. I am sure it is a very reasonable price....

(...in fact, I'm thinking of making an offer.

Hey, Blue Rod, you with me? You likely have the bucks to pull it off, eh?)

Come on, folks. Let's push this forward, ok?

For the Children, ok?

Ok. Thanks.

The Apparent Cry for Dr. Gerrard's Crown

... or how about 'Insider's so secret, we can't identify them for fear of exposing that there are no Liberal insiders...."

So now this is how we sell newspapers. We publish stories 'leaking' nonsense from fictitious 'party insiders'. We all pretend like we are peering under the secret hood of the big red machine, a place so darned unknown that the party insiders need publisher protection to speak. We act all in the know and smart about the implosion of a Manitoban institution based on 'special knowledge' courtesy Liberal party insiders (is that an Oxymoron...?)

Really, guys?

And the other day remember I wrote about how hard I was laughing? Well, its died down enough for me to type now. So let's get to it.

Look at the Manitoba Liberal Party leaders of the past. Some pretty cool folks who, had they been elected as Premiere, would likely have steered us down a very different set of roads. The ones who were elected are credited with much back in the day. Characters with personalities big like buses.

Until around 15 years or so ago, that is.

That's when the effects of the polar squeeze really got going. The first-past-the-post polarization of political choices (right / left) hit Manitoba hard, and the Liberal party stumbled. Not knocking those who stepped up, mind. Its a tough job no matter who you are, some say the toughest job in Canadian politics.

The collapse of the Liberal vote last Federal election, combined with NDP scare tactics, really served to polarize the Manitoba Provincial vote even further. You have one vote to keep the PC bogey man from the door.... who you gonna call?

Voila. Don't bother studying recent Manitoban Liberal political history. I just summed it up for you. Free of charge.

Anyways, along comes a country Doctor recently hailing from a Federal Minister's address in Ottawa. This is about the time the party leaderships was really messy, remember? And then it wasn't. The country Doctor was in the house.

He has polarization and then Federal Liberal Collapse to deal with. He has a party in... some trouble to deal with. He has an NDP government that pays its supporters very well, thank you, to deal with. This is a damned, damned tough gig he gets, but he picks up the yoke and proceeds. Everywhere.

All year long, all around Manitoba, in the strangest and the most urgent of places, the country Doctor is there. (Is it any wonder he drives a Prius?) In the 'Leg and the news, he gets as much press and attention as the PC's do in total. A great whack of the more progressive and sane policies adopted by the Kings and Queen's of Orange have his fingerprints on them.

The guy works his tail off, is what I'm saying.

In that whole time, no-one has leveled any charge of shenanigans against Dr. Jon. He has never disappointed anyone in the quantity or quality of his effort. That is obvious, right? Right.

So, what's the problem, eh? Why call for the crown of the only elected member you got? Why bare the only elected Red head in the Province? Why urgently 'kick out' the only MLA who is universally well regarded and thought to have bottomless integrity?

Why, indeed, kiddies. Why, indeed.

How about these apples.

The Manitoba Liberal party, other than the good country doctor, has largely disappointed.

And someone needs to take the blame.

And blaming the Lord Above is getting old, and it never helps anyway.

So in character, the country Doctor steps up and takes one more bullet for the party by not saying the following:

"What frickin' party insiders?"

Instead, by their demand he relinquishes the crown of a party deep in debt, lost in space, squeezed between the poles, shrinking fast, and pointing fingers.

Now if it was me, I'd be Fed-Ex'ing that sucker to them. See ya', thanks for the fish.

But knowing the good Doctor, he'll likely hand it over sadly and reluctantly. This is a man that did not want things to get worse on his watch. It is not what he is about, and he likely would battle another five years to try and turn things around.

That's him, but not me. Not many of us, right?

You know I'm right, right?

So there you have the last honorable act as Leader of a man who did great justice to his job. 'I'm the leader, I'll take responsibility, I'll step down.'

Or is it his last act... he still has 2 years to play with.

Hmm......

(Oh and hey, charging for memberships? Really, guys? Are you trying to close shop with one last big fire sale? I now take back my earlier prescription for a better free membership. Clearly will be lost on you anyhow.)

Now, I could be wrong, and there really could be party insiders. And they might be calling for new leadership. And if that is the case, then hey insiders, have some guts and step into the limelight for a while, ok?

(....he says from his anonymous blog... ya, I get the irony, folks....)

Seriously, Snickers. Get Some Nuts, and step out into the light of day.

(psstt... there's no-one there...)

Hey, here's something controversial to chew on. I say Dr. Gerrard should switch to NDP and run the Health file. All parties should swallow their pride and just do the right thing.

Who's with me?

:0)

Ciao, folks.