Opposition: Pro-Democracy Campaign Starts Now

In addition to normal leaders' tours, like Iggy's, there should be rabble-rousing tours by prominent MPs, ENTIRELY FOCUSSED on democracy issue, regionally targeted. I would suggest joint tours, except no-one will agree. So tours by each party to all post-secondary institutions everywhere, where they will get favourable audienceS, can rile up up youth to demonstrate, and hit all local & regional media at same time - many tours=more coverage, too. Narrow focus on democracy issue, explaining and highlighting fundamental, NON-PARTISAN, issue of democracy vs. authoritarianism. Need to have MPs/reps of sufficient standing to deliver audiences and media (helpful if have big existing networks). Point MPs/reps for each region, with local accompaniment at each stop. Libs: Rae & Kennedy across Ontario, LeBlanc on point in Atlantic (as only Atl candidate last leadership & bilingual) + local MP nearest school/town, Neville & Carstairs in Manitoba, Goodale & Mitchell in Alberta & Saskatchewan, Dosanjh, Murray & maybe Sen Campbell (given his profile) in BC (given Dosanjh & Murray's contrasting provincial political loyalties, combined tour re. democracy that much more potent), Bagnell in North.

Bloc: Paquette, Bachand & Ménard, vu leurs réseaux et leurs réputations, seraient en mesure de garantir des publics considérables aux CEGEPs et universités, en plus d'une bonne couverture médiatique.

NDP: Dewar & Comartin + local rep in Ontario, Mulcair in QC, Godin & Harris in Atlantic, Martin & Leis in Manitoba, Duncan in Alberta, Nystrom & Gruending in Sask?, Cullen-Donnelly & Davies? in BC (important that point people build pro-democracy tent, not get caught up in other issues), Bevington in North.

Greens: Chernushenko in Ont, Carr in BC-Alb, May in Atl & elsewhere-everywhere?

When I first highlighted this issue, I said of Cons: "If they defy Parliament, the Opposition must first pressure them by using every means, popular revolt, demonstrations, parliamentary revolt (let the bells ring, occupy the Chamber), everything imaginable. All democrats of good faith, particularly the Fourth Estate, must defend democracy and pressure the government - this slip into authoritarianism affects all citizens profoundly, but none more than journalists."

Much more will need to be done. But now is the time for all democrats to rally to defence of democracy, and MPs necessarily have a special role to play. Education will be part of the riling up, so what better place than halls of academe, from community colleges to universities, small & big towns, rural & urban, speaking to any and all media. I think that there should be targetted pro-democracy tours by select reps with profile to get message out since local MPs don't always get all the respect necessary. This is not just super-serious, we have to act as if it is super-serious, and it has to be shown to be as such. So that's why I favour chosen travelling groups of 2-3 reps with sufficient profile.

Ad buys needed, as is fundraising, and using some of the union money & muscle, and student organisation, numbers & enthusiasm, to have scheduled rallies at chosen moments, nationally. Pulling iconic political figures out to speak at a few propitious moments, like Trudeau in 1980 referendum, would be good. Chrétien-Martin-Turner can give a couple of striking speeches each, Broadbent-McDonough-McLaughlin-Stephen/Avi Lewis for Dad/Grand-Dad (Lucien Bouchard - productive or counter-productive?).

Think of this as a referendum situation and plan campaign accordingly. Questions: Against Dictatorship? For Democracy? You're with us! (issue many immigrants, given origins, are most sensitive to: use cultural minority media effectively!)

This "referendum campaign" will lead into virtually inevitable election. Iggy & Layton have done well to make clear just how much they don't want one: question framed and onus on Harper. OLO also did well to frame "pro-jobs" position. But election will come down to democracy & trust. Education, media & rallies now necessary to framing & winning.

Cons are being typically too clever by half. Should have stuck to MPCC. They underestimate the power of democracy, as autocrats are wont to do. It's precisely because it's such a mixed up, chaotic system, and thus seems weak, that when its heterogeneous threads can be woven together into an overall pattern, it is turned into an irresistible force. Don't mess with democracy, boyos, or democracy will mess with you. The Sean Averys have angered the otherwise peaceful Larry Robinsons - I don't have to tell you how that's going to turn out.