Today was the fourth federal election since 2000. Fourth. By the way, I was wrong – it was 2004 when the bumpkin called me a commie. Better a commie than blue, says I. Welcome to another minority Con-servative government. More behind the cut.

For the fourth time in as many years, Canadians couldn’t pull their heads out of their collective asses long enough to take a deep breath of our rapidly decreasing fresh air, and realize a few truths. Not everyone in this country is the perfect nuclear family, not everyone is living at or above the lowest income Mr. Harper recognized during the debates (I for one am raising two children a good 12k below that ‘lowest’ income level) and frankly, the tax ‘cut’ from lowering the GST to 5% isn’t covering what they’ve decided to scrape back in other ways. Not everyone believes that schools, hospitals, the arts and other social programs can take financial cuts to support giving certain tax brackets and some big business breaks.

Lilith News has some damn good points, and I have to say – I’m glad I’m not the only one that thinks Harper looks like Hitler; artists, musicians and writers affected by the new funding cuts think so, too. And what about that film industry bit there?

The Canadian television and film industry also has a bone to pick with Stephen Harper, who this year passed Bill C-10, which effectively cuts off funding for ANY film or television production which references sex, homosexuality or violence.

Not to mention the tax hikes for companies coming here to film from other countries, notably the US. Next thing you know, all media, music and art produced in Canada, no matter the form, will have to be approved by one of Harp-ler’s little minions.

Now for the numbers. Portage-Lisgar did vote in a woman, which really shocks me. Then again, like I said, yellow dog and all that. Still – most of the populace has always seemed to prefer yellow dogs over women in government. Wow, and again with the sexist remark (but true).

CON – 20816
LIB – 4175
GRN – 2472
NDP – 2278
CHP – 939 (this being the ‘Christian Heritage Party’, which makes me wish the Rhino party had someone running, too)

For the country, party seats in Parliament (out of 308):
CON – 144
LIB – 75
BLC – 50
NDP – 37 (up from 29 in 2006, 19 in 2004 and 13 in 2000)
GRN – 0

Elizabeth May seems to have been the only official party leader that didn’t gain a seat. Jack Layton and his wife Olivia Chow have both retained their seats for their respective ridings. Obviously Harper did, and the rest as well.

I am proud to say that the NDP took a riding in Manitoba, and held two long-standing ridings in the city. Congrats to those folks, and I have to say – I’m so happy to see NDPer Pat Martin (from the riding I used to live in) going back to Ottawa!