The government's agenda is so old, it's rusty.  One hour listening to the dulcet tones of our Governor General failed to rescue today's Throne Speech.  It screeched and lurched and twisted like an old, tired barbed wire fence blowing in a desolate wind.  No new ideas, no strategy for the 21st century, nothing. Unfortunate, but there you have it. Amateur night at the hockey rink exhibits more originality and passion for outcomes than this sorry excuse for a "recalibrated" way forward.    

I really don't get the Harper government fixation on crime and punishment.  The crime rate is going down, Canada is a relatively safe and crime-free country, and while things could always use improvement, it isn't -- by far -- the most pressing issue.

Given that Harper also is now instituting a national Seniors day, I'm guessing he knows who votes and how to scare them into liking his government best.

The speech from the throne had nothing for young people.  Youth wasn't mentioned once (to my knowledge) and any literature I get from my Conservative MP is always riddled with pictures of young people stealing handbags from old ladies.

I want a government that speaks to our youth and looks to them as the promising future they are.  Not some retrograde leader that waves the flag of 'tradition' to win senior votes and then gives the finger to democracy any time it suits him.

Come on opposition parties -- it's time to bring this government down.

The bit about 'recalibrating' our national anthem is like a bad joke.  Does Harper really think we'll fall for the old distraction ruse?  Well, maybe he's on to something since the papers today are full of the anthem story and, for the most part, not a bunch else.

OK, yes, the anthem could use updating, and gender neutral (as well as religious neutral) language would be nice.

But I'd prefer, oh, child care? Or ummm, how about pay equity?  Or here's a favourite: how about restoring the word 'equality' to the mandate of Status of Women Canada again. 

I cannot tell a lie.  I think the throne speech was a nice story, and it would be gosh darn golly nice to see those things happen and come to fruition; however, I recogonize there was nothing new. If this is what recallibrating looks like then Canada needs a new mechanic stat! 

Where oh where has good governance gone?! 

I watched the first 20 minutes are read it through quickly and could find nothing. So, we're going to cut the deficit by freezing spending and MPs salaries? We are going to pave our way to a new economy by building monuments? We're going to honour seniors but gutting their pensions but creating a senior's day? I've seen more serious proposals at a high school model parliament. Let's hope the budget is better.