Thursday, December 29th, 2011.
Over the Christmas break, I decided it was time to go ahead and do some of the things I've always talked about, but never done. And no, I am not talking about sitting in the front row of an unpaid university class under an invisible blanket telling the professor to send the tuition bill to the Queen. (The blanket makes you invisible underneath it, but does not become invisible itself...)
I am talking about The Grandest Coalition. It is a concept that is logically sound, politically astute, and legal within the framework of The Canada Elections Act (S.C. 2000, c.9). So I cannot see a reason not to put forth my idea for a formula for The Grandest Coalition. It is simple, but smart.
It comprises of the following:
-A cabinet of 33 positions
-Prime Minister;
-5 Quebec NDP Ministers under Deputy Prime Minister Thomas Mulcair;
-5 NDP Ministers under the leadership of Libby Davies;
-5 Liberals Ministers under the leadership of Foreign Affairs Minister Bob Rae;
-1 Bloc Quebecois Minister;
-1 Green Party Environment Minister Elizabeth May;
-5 Aboriginal Bloc Conservative Ministers representing Health, Inter-Governmental Affairs, Public Safety, and 2 portfolios of choice;
-5 Quebec Conservative Ministers under the leadership of Finance Minister Maxime Bernier;
-5 Moderate Conservative Ministers
I contend there must be a dozen "silent Conservatives" who are no longer supportive of our current Prime Minister's positions on a growing number of issues; Conservatives who would prefer not to be named, nor would they speak out themselves, but who would happily accept a seat in the front bench of a coalition government.
Across Canada there is growing opposition to Conservative Minister Rob Nicholson's justice bills which would both criminalize more people in Canada, and build more prisons to imprison new criminals in. The Grandest Coalition would repeal these laws, and adopt policies more reflectant of the Liberal/NDP approach towards restorative justice and long-view rehabilitation and re-integration into society. Canada simply does not need to follow the model of the United States with their one per cent level of imprisonment and plans for more arrests.
The Grandest Coalition would also re-look our commitment to NATO and the aggressive, invasive approach to the U.S.-led takeover of the Middle East which is creating more tensions with Iran/Russia/China,etc. I have consistently suggested shifting from NATO towards our own "Canada Peace Treaty Organization" where our center of geographic location on the planet would be the focal point of peace with Russia/China/Europe/& the U.S.- before tensions erupt either in America, or here in Canada.
Further to that, I stand by a position of consolidating military power within Canada along the south border and west coast of Canada. Canadian airspace security would be a foremost priority, and any thought of American troops on Canadian soil during a time of crisis would simply be the opposite of what is best for Canadians who value our own sovereign way of life without undue American presence. Any aggression from China towards the U.S. would not be a threat to Canada with the proper Peace Treaty, nor would any threat from Europe or Russia as long as it it made clear that Canada is peaceful and not a lapdog to the U.S. and NATO.
An additional position of The Grandest Coalition would be an attempt to gain the support of enough majority Premiers in Canada to amend the Constitution to include more than only "two nations", but "four equal identities" within Canada, representing Aboriginal Canadians, le Quebecios, English Canada, and people from around the globe. Equality would encourage diversity and further encourage indentifying the best qualities of all our backgrounds which are, in their simplest forms, all the same. My thoughts and positions on language laws, education, and treaties are well known.
Years ago, I considered the direction I saw the world moving in, and the hope and dream I have for Canada as the country which will someday save the world. The United States has openly and aggressively made their intentions known to dominate the planet since 1997's Project for the New American Century, and Canada is caught between global superpowers. The U.S. has already bombed their traditional ally Pakistan, and recently invaded the airspace of Iran. American plans to invade Canada have existed since the 1920's... And I am certain that Russia and China have contingency plans for an invasion of North America. Are we the North American Union, or are we Canada- with our own will?
Sometimes I believe we are the last sane country on the planet, and it is vital we remain that way. I see the world powers moving closer to an explosive showdown that would reign destruction upon all nations involved. Russia is threatening nuclear strikes; The U.S. has the largest build-up of nuclear weapons on the planet; China is nuclear, as is Pakistan and Israel. I simply do not support the American provocation of Russia and China. Canada might need both our friends- two is better than one.
And I would appoint the Hon. Senator Patrick Brazeau as Defense Minister.
If I could, I surely would...
-Brendan William Cross
