Take none of hewing, crying over private members’ business at face value

In this particular case, the earned media generated around the issue will more than make up for the eventual procedural beat down.

Seven things that will make a bad Parliament worse: read 'em and weep

Parliament doesn’t need advice, it needs an intervention.

On top of omnibus legislative casserole, feds intend to add a ‘screw you’ spice with MP pension reform, says Jordan

Politics to eclipse policy in spring session

Expect the unexpected, zigging will be the new zagging, outrage will become contagious, perspective will be jettisoned form the lexicon and doing the right thing will become entirely situational. But that’s politics.

This government gets a B-minus grade

The key to staying in power is to keep the ones who hate you away from the ones who don’t know, and that is largely an exercise in communications.

House, media distracted by plane rides, gold business cards

We are facing uncertain economic times, increasing global instability, and a federal/provincial Health Accord negotiation that could fundamentally alter the role of government and the relationships between governments in this country.

One impeachable rule in politics: the electorate is never wrong

If we work backwards from that absolute truth, we can begin to sort out what happened, perhaps why it happened and, most importantly, what it might mean going forward.

If MPs don't get a handle on the sorry state of this political environment, voters will

The good news is that we seem to be actually having a semi-serious discussion about the issue. In the end, I hope that the current crop of Parliamentarians see the opportunity that these types of discussions may afford them.

Parliamentary machine headed in wrong direction: It's time to fix it!

Joe Jordan's list of how to make Parliament work better.

Electile dysfunction: constant election threat hurts Parliament

It permeates everything they do, it shortens strategic planning time frames to about three minutes and it sidelines a competent and professional civil service by the ongoing reinforcement of the principle that 'politics' trumps 'policy.'

The new normal: minority Parliaments aren't so bad

Of course, it will never last. I am giving this Parliament about another 10 months.

The 'Steve-leave' affair and our sensational political crisis

Jordan's 'top 10 mistakes' new MPs should not make

Politics is like a hallucinogenic drug, it tends to intensify what already exists. Keep in mind that there is little correlation between winning an argument and being right.

Time to watch the backroom fur fly!

Prime Minister Harper has been convinced by his strategists that a majority win is possible. It's simply the way the guy's wired.

Time to engage in a little election speculation

Of the 33 government bills currently in the pipe, the most logical choice for an election culprit would be Bill C-10.

Opinion markets inundated by 'MPs-behaving-badly' theme, time to refresh

So here are three small measures that I feel should contribute to all MPs holding their heads a little higher.

The wow factor and perils of this particularly prickly minority Parliament

The current session seems to be a bit unprecedented in terms of how far off the rails we currently find ourselves.

Spring 2008 collection: or, what's actually on Parliamentary House agenda

Keep in mind that if there is no spring election this is what the Parliamentarians have on their plate and if there is to be a spring election then one of these bills may have to cause it, says Jordan.

Fixed election dates cause problems for a minority government

The government brings in a steady stream of confidence motions before the House. This is highly unusual.

House divided? Three ways government can lose confidence

If Stéphane Dion attempts to get Grit MPs to sit on their hands again, they may very well decide to try out their feet instead. I see no realistic scenario that has the Liberals supporting the next federal budget.