While I see no reason to defend either Liberals or Democrats, it should be pointed out that the two parties "aren't your father's Oldsmobile". That is to say, their agendas have morphed together to a large extent, so that they no longer are the known entities they once were way back when the old labels approximately fit their behavior. Oh, you can pick out some individuals in both parties that still hew to traditional 'conviction' politics, but for the most part, they've adopted a center-right corporate agenda that's bought and paid for by major campaign contributers.

The party of 'fiscal discipline' is now pushing an omnibus federal budget with $328 billion in discretionary spending (that's 'pork' to you and me) rolled into an $820 billion overall package. The 'freespending' party is (for now) crowing loudly about the need to rein in the ballooning budget deficits (now approaching a record $500 billion). Of course, both parties are gonna end up voting for that turd, like they always do, and we and our kids will be paying the interest on the accumulated debt for generations.

An especially virulent pox on both their houses...