Back in the old days, when a political party was in “opposition,” that is, not the governing party, their job was quite simple.

They were expected to provide a balance and counterweight to the ruling government so that things didn’t get too far out of hand!

You might say that their agenda was to provide a “sober second thought” to the legislative process.

Over time, that mandate seems to have shifted to where now an opposition party is expected to disagree with anything the government proposes just on principal.

And I don’t mean polite disagreement with a viable alternative offered either kids!

No sir!

I mean, sit there on your fat ass and hurrrumph and haraaah to your hearts content.

Call the people in charge anything from incompetent idiots to dastardly, cowardly criminals.

Just don’t supply any workable alternatives!

There are two examples that readily come to mind when we look at the changing face of the “Opposition” here in North America.

First and foremost is the Republican Party in the U.S. of A.

They spent eight years getting the States into the mess it’s in now, and even though the Democrats are trying to accommodate Republican wishes in fixing the problems, they insist on nixing any constructive ideas put forward.

They will even go so far as to hope the Democratic Party fails to govern the country properly.

Period!

This in itself is amazing to me, since I can’t recall anyone, ever, no-how, no-way wishing that their government and way of life would fail!

Whether it’s extreme arrogance, ignorance or just plain stupidity, the G.O.P. is not doing their country any favors by adopting the stance they currently hold!

The other example is the current political parties here in Canada and Ontario.

Due to the economic situation around the world the governing parties, both federally and provincially came down with budgets that could have been written by the opposition, just so they could get them passed!

In spite of this, there is a clamoring and bellowing from across the floor that the budgets are junk and not worth a damn. They are now condemning legislation that they themselves forced the government to adapt a few weeks earlier.

The hypocrisy in what political parties now call “opposition” is almost beyond belief, but that just doesn’t seem to have sunk in!

God help us if we ever get a government that’s as stupid as the opposition!

You’re confused author;
Allan W Janssen