The democratic deficit, revisited...

Jack Layton's offer to support Paul Martin if the Liberals take out corporate tax breaks subverts our democracy. Right now, the budget has the support of both the Liberals and the Conservatives - representing about 75% of the votes in the House of Commons. There is no need to change anything in the budget for it to pass - yet Martin may amend it to get the 19 votes of the NDP; perhaps even to get Layton to support the government until Gomery reports. This is a good example of how a small party can actually do something that is anti-democratic.