I've been re-thinking my last post. It is perhaps optimistic to think that Ignatieff can stop Harper in his quest for an election, especially with the electorate on Harper's side. The mood seems to be that parliamentary chaos is deplorable and that a strong leader, even a dictator, is required to restore tranquility, peace and good order.

It is forgotten that minority parliaments generally produce progressive legislation. There is nothing wrong with raucous debate. Generally a consensus is worked out propelled in large part by the public interest. It doesn't happen in a majority parliament, especially one dominated by hidebound dogmatists. There are no checks and balances.

We recall Mussolini being applauded for making the trains run on time. He accomplished this by having the crews of late-running trains brutalized by his brown-shirted goons. No matter, these trainmen were "socialists" and deserved their fate. Order was restored. Later another dictator restored order in Germany with his black-shirted goons. He was wildly popular. Is there something endemic in human nature that makes us favour these strongmen? Are we born to obey?

It would be ludicrous to compare Harper with Mussolini and Hitler, of course, but unrestrained he could do serious damage. The electorate may come to regret their choice, as they did with Diefenbaker and Mulroney.