Reply #2: I will clarify more specifically

[shockedcanadian]

When I suggest the Conservatives absorb another party, I mean they talk to the third place party, or even the 4th place party and tell them, "hey, here's an idea, you are an also-ran, while we are a popular choice with the nation. Why don't you join my team and then we can rule together without any barriers. We can both get what we need done and it cannot be stopped". They can simply negotiate as the moment suits them and then down the road split again if they don't see eye to eye. You suggest that you are fine with this, were you fine with it when the Conservatives were trying to topple Paul Martin?

When I suggest stealing other seats to the highest bidder, I am referring to basic bribes. Whoever can offer them the most power and maybe even some form of payment to join a party. If we have a cycle of merges after every election all parties will face the same fears, that winning the election will have little meaning, with such fears will come desperation with desperation comes drastic measures. It's not as if they will go to jail if they get caught. We have had multiple million and even BILLION dollars scandals between the Liberals and Conservative governments with nary a lashing for the offending individuals (yes, I am one of the disenchanted in this country).

I am not saying this scenario is occurring now, but corruption exists and will always exists, to what extent and how deep will this corruption exist under the right political circumstances?

This potential situation undermines the democratic process in my opinion. Or, as I have said before, we will probably have an American system with only two legitimate parties running and having a hope every election. In my opinion it is worse to have only two options than numerous, however, this will probably be the outcome.