O, Canada! and birth-days.

It seems that the AdScam scandal and the associated Gomery Inquiry have cut into the popularity of the ruling Liberal party in Canada. Prime Minister Paul Martin was Finance Minister at the time of the scandal, which funneled billions of dollars to the Liberal party. Despite a publication ban which has halted the presses up there, American and Canadian Bloggers (most notably Captain Ed over at Captain's Quarters) have revealed much of the scope of the scandal. Canadians have been reading these blogs, and are incensed. The Liberal party, already weakened by a recent electoral defeat which left them a minority government, is more deeply unpopular than ever. Conservative opposition leader Steven Harper has pushed for a motion of no confidence which, if passed, would dissolve the current government and require new elections.
The motion requires a majority of Parliament's approval. The Liberals are counting on their partnership with the socialist NDP to forestall it. However, the potent Bloc Québécois (the Quebec nationalist party), furious that the aid money that was intended to go to their province, seems to be allying with the conservatives on this one. One Independent vote will bring success to the motion.
If the motion succeeds and new elections are called, it seems likely to me that the Liberal party will have big losses. There might even be a conservative government again. Even if the Liberals do win, they'll be very ineffective.
Of course, this scandal is merely a catalyst for a massive change in Canadian politics. Like the US, Canada is fracturing. The former "consensus" which existed has given way to partisan and regional interests. The western part of Canada, rich with oil, desires a more Laissez-faire policy, where the east is more content with a socialist economic system (funded, coincidentally, by the western parts of the nation). The conservatives have been gaining in the west, but the socialist NDP has been gaining in the east at the expense of the Liberals.
This is similar to the US- the consensus is collapsing due to, I'd argue, greater freedom of expression. People who didn't fit the consensus aren't succumbing to it because they feel that nothing can be done. Political consensus, after all, is a construct that is assembled by those in power to suppress opposition. Politics is about dissent. This is a good thing, especially for those of us in Jesusland who are tired of people prattling on about the perfection of our northern neighbours.
I did another quiz, which claims to be able to tell me my personality based on my birthdate. Here it is, along with fisking.

Your birth on the 27th day of the month (9 energy) adds a tone of selflessness and humanitarianism to your life path.

Wow, wrong right out of the gate.

Certainly, you are one who can work very well with people, but at the same time you need a good bit of time to be by yourself to rest and meditate.

Did some idiot at the hospital mix things up?

There is a very humanistic and philanthropic approach in most of things that you do.

This birthday helps you be broadminded, tolerant, generous and very cooperative.
Perhaps mother has been lying to me all this time.

You are the type of person who uses persuasion rather than force to achieve your ends.

That's why I carry an ACLU card. It has nothing to do with me constantly threatening to sue people or anything.

You tend to be very sensitive to others' needs and feelings, and you able to give much in the way of friendship without expecting a lot in return.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAAHA! Here's a bit of AIM dialogue:

Female Friend:hey, i have a problem
Female Friend:i know its cliche, but there's this guy i like and i don't know what to do about it
Me:Hmmm.
Me:Looks like you'll have to kill yourself to get the attention you desire.
Female Friend:that's pretty drastic
Me:Sorry hon, but it's the only way.
Sound familiar?

That's all for to-night.