Angry in the Great White North

Stephane Dion is going to let Stephen Harper's Conservative government govern -- aiming to keep the troops in Afghanistan to 2011, declaring Kyoto dead and irrelevant and blaming it on Stephane Dion and the Liberals, reducing the size and scope of the federal government by respecting provincial jurisdictions, getting tough on crime by being tough on crime, giving Canadians back the money taken through onerous taxes -- which comes as no surprise:

Liberal Leader Stephane Dion has signalled he will not force an election over the speech from the throne, saying he wants to make Parliament work.

"The throne speech we heard, with all of its weaknesses, has to be assessed in light of the fact that Canadians don't want another election right now," Dion told the House of Commons. "They want Parliament to do its job…

"We are determined to make Parliament work."

Earlier Wednesday, Liberal MPs had filed out from their party's caucus meeting not knowing whether Dion would reject the speech from the throne and possibly trigger an election.

I think it was always pretty clear what was going to happen. Stephen Harper and the Conservatives will proceed with implementing their agenda because of the help of Stephane Dion.

When Jim Flaherty delivers a budget that cuts the GST and reduces your personal income tax, say thanks to a Liberal.

It might make them feel a bit better. As it is, there are going to be a lot of disappointed Liberal bloggers:

• Vote Down The Throne Speech, Vote For The Environment
• Vote Against Harper, Vote For Kyoto
• Reality is that the Conswervatives are Running out of Time
• Thoughts on the Throne Speech - nuke it.
• If Not Now, Then When And Why?
• Dion Should Go Now
• Bring 'em Down!
• Spending Power IS Canada
• It's D-Day
• Mr. Dion, what would Pierre Trudeau do in your position?

And of course:

• Courage

The Liberals will likely allow the Throne Speech to pass by not showing up for work:

Some political observers believe the Liberal front bench — Dion and his shadow cabinet — may vote against the throne speech and that the backbenchers will either abstain or not show up, which would allow the throne speech to pass.

Expect a lot of hooting coming from the NDP benches.

And more than a little grumbling from Liberals at the what their party has been reduced to.