Modeling Journey

After talking tough for a week or so, the Liberals have started signalling that they will back off opposing Harper's Tories on changes to the 'unfair' EI rules.

The established pattern of sabre rattling followed by ignominious back tracking with tail between the legs is yet again showing itself, as this comment by Goodale shows:

"The Liberals and minority Conservatives have cited the proposal, estimated to cost up to $1.5 billion, as a potential election trigger, though there is some evidence the Liberals may not let it come to that.

The Liberals could enshrine the proposal in a motion the government could deem a non-confidence measure - potentially triggering an election if all opposition parties vote for it. But, they may avoid that by simply making their case through committees and in the daily question period.

“We have tried our best to prevent it becoming a political standoff because the most important thing is to correct the problem,” Liberal House leader Ralph Goodale said in an interview.

“The critical thing is not to have some kind of a political showdown. The crucial thing is to get EI changed. That is our principal objective.”

This type of behaviour (barking like a small lapdog but then fleeing when Harper harrumphs) is demeaning for the Liberal Party, and telegraphs to voters political ineptitude and lack of leadership acumen.

Ralph Goodale is wrong on this issue. The crucial thing is to replace the mean spirited, do-nothing Tory government with a government which, supported by the other opposition parties if needs be, can provide Canadians with progressive government.

Want to fix the EI unfairness? Replace the government, and fix that and a whole lot of other things as well.