Angry in the Great White North

First Stephane Dion tells us how sophisticated Quebecers are politically when they cast their vote.

Then Stephane Dion tells us again how sophisticated Quebecers are politically when they cast their vote, perhaps more slowly in case we didn't understand him the first time around.

Then the Liberal Party website trumpets Stephane Dion's plan to create a strong and united Canada -- with a huge Quebec flag filling the background.

And now Stephane Dion enumerates why Quebec should stay in Canada, and why the rest of Canada should be grateful that Quebec should decide to do so:

Liberal Leader Stephane Dion says Canada and Quebec need each other.

Dion says he's convinced that the rest of Canada needs the richness and creativity of Quebec culture. The Liberal leader also said today in a prepared text for a speech in Montreal that Quebec needs to stay in Canada for economic reasons.

He says it would be irrational - economically speaking - for Quebecers to turn Ontario and Albertans into foreigners.

Dion says Quebecers need to be part of the same country as British Columbia, given the explosion of Asian markets.

And he says that when Quebec is experiencing social problems related to poverty, aging, indebtedness and taxes, it would be a mistake for the province to deprive itself of the mutual support that exists within Canada.

So let's get this straight. Quebec is valuable because it is a rich culture populated with creative people. The implication is that the rest of Canada is so deficient in culture and creativity that it needs Quebec. On the other hand the rest of Canada offers...what? Highways to the Pacific Ocean, and a tax base to be used to fund Quebec social programs. Canada offers money for Quebec to spend, and Quebecers would be acting irrationally to turn down money.

Well, doesn't that just make you burst with pride?

So how does telling me I'm an uncultured doofus only good for the value of my labour entice me to vote for the Liberals?

But to give Stephane Dion a break, I think he's being completely honest. I don't think he has the slightest sense of Canadian culture outside of Quebec. I don't think he sees the rest of Canada as anything but a hinterland of resources with pockets of industrialization that feeds the greatness that is Quebec.

He's entitled to his perception. But he's not entitled to my vote.