I am mildly disappointed that Stephen Harper's non-confidence motion today was slightly watered down from the one I found via Sinister Thoughts yesterday:

"That the House condemns the government for its arrogance in refusing to compromise with the opposition parties over the timing of the next general election and for its `culture of entitlement,' corruption, scandal, and gross abuse of public funds for political purposes and, consequently, the government no longer has the confidence of the House.''

Maybe it wasn't perfect, but most of the elements are there.

Like most voters looking for a change, it's not the corruption scandal that has done it for me. It's been the gradual decay into a form of government that can't even call itself "reactive", never mind "active". It's a government that increasingly seems unable to do anything it should, unless there is an acute political need to do so. And, even then, what gets "done" is frequently a mere announcement -- not action -- which can be reannounced during one or two more political crunches, until finally, in desperation, we receive a partial follow-through on whatever the commitment was.

Additionally, the Prime Minister himself has degraded before our very eyes. I admired his professionalism and accomplishments as Finance Minister. As PM, however, he has famously earned his nickname Dithers. And his desperate willingness to do any incredible thing to hang onto power -- this year, and especially this month -- have burnt any credibility and respectability that may have remained.

For the coming election, I have already announced my preferences a few weeks ago. I'm increasingly hopeful that I'll get my wish.

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