The Habit of Compromise

Apparently my search kung-fu is not great today. I wanted to read an interview from CBC's radio one with the editor of "Le Press" He certainly sounded like he had at least thought about Canada's problems and how Quebec fits both as a nation onto itself and as it fits into Canada.

Quebecers and, I think, most of the rest of Canada has lost the habit of compromise as Andre Pratt stated today in that CBC radio interview. This got me thinking about how much Gille Duceppe impressed me on the leader debate. Calm, rational, passionate yet not unyielding. I also have been thinking about the laws and by-laws that I've come across in my investigation about living in Quebec. There are so many progressive values to be found in the Quebec that I've come to know. They are a diverse people with their share of idiot racists and the language laws should be their shame, not their pride, but I can see just what the rest of Canada could be in what I've seen in Quebec. A place passionate about itself, progressive and attempting to help each other along while encouraging self expression.

Imagine a Canada like that. Partisanship, an expression of ideas and views without the automatic screaming down of any other view. Canadian arts and culture in which we can express the pride of being Canadian without having the naysayers constantly complain that by expressing ourselves we are "dis"ing Americans.

I expressed my idea that what we need is a new party in a previous post but I've began to wonder if what we need is compromise. The knives are out for Dion. I hope he stays but I cannot imagine that he can. If he is ousted, I hope that as his last act as a sincere liberal he stages a coup. Leave the party and ask your faithful to follow, merge your faction with the green party and learn to compromise. With your strength and conviction join the greens with no strings attached and work with them. Their processes are open so far.

Pick up your work with Elizabeth May. Talk to Gille Duceppe. Even invite Jack to dinner. For Canada's sake will you all please learn the habit of compromise. I can clearly see that the liberal insiders cannot. They cannot even agree with other liberals. I have hope for the rest.

Could we agree that we cede Quebec to the Bloc and use their progressive policies for the rest of Canada in the form of a united Red Green party? Put the compromise in writing with the understanding that one key areas of disagreement, like federalism each party goes its own way but on key areas of agreement, the parties will hammer out policy together?

Could we?