So... let us go through it by the income interests.

The ONDP and its defenders on the issue of the very recently passed Ontario budget have been quick to talk of  "making parliament work" and of being "responsible." The Liberals, obviously, have embraced this.

But make parliament work for who, exactly?

Many have applauded the so-called ONDP tax that applies to almost no one. The miniscule charge on the ULTRA wealthy that only comes into effect on over $500,000 in income, non-inclusive! A tax that McGuinty has already said will be used to pay off capitalist creditors... making it, for what it is, a tax from the very rich to the very rich.

So, it's official. No matter what happens, Ontario is getting austerity.

The "brinkmanship" around the McGuinty budget has made this clear.

There is the Hudak slash and burn version that seeks to implement the full Drummond Report; a virtually guaranteed way to greatly exacerbate inequality and to drive Ontario back into recession.

There is the McGuinty version, which seeks to balance the books directly on the backs of labour, workers and the poor, while, perhaps intentionally from the start, trying to appear moderate by not bringing, for now, the full Drummond Report apocalypse that they themselves commissioned.

Andrea Horwath can’t support the provincial budget as is. Even if it means toppling the Liberals and sending voters back to the polls for an election they surely don’t want.

It’s a cruel budget. A business friendly, conservative budget. And one that certainly doesn’t meet any social democratic standards.

A budget that will freeze public sector wages through negotiation or legislation. Translation: Voluntarily agree to wage freezes or the government will impose them on you. Not even the Drummond report recommended public sector wage freezes.

A budget that freezes welfare and disability rates. Without a cost of living adjustment, recipients fall deeper into poverty.

Don't be fooled by all the analysts. Dalton McGuinty is king of Ontario. Whether or not he finally gets the magic 54 seats required for a formal majority, the province is his. With far and away the most seats and with a slim lead in the popular vote, why does he have to heed anything the NDP or Conservatives want?

How can he be defeated? Is there an alternative grouping that could demand to govern? Could the Hudak and Horwath forces unite to support a Tim Hudak government? Could they even dream of joining in a no-confidence motion that would force another election? All scenarios other than Mr. McGuinty ruling exactly as if he had a majority are out of the question.

Despite all the public posturing by Messrs. McGuinty and Hudak, you can't believe a word either is uttering about what happens after Thursday night. The Liberal Leader can insist from now to doomsday that he won't contemplate any deal at all with the NDP, but he's blowing smoke. If he wants to stay premier, he won't have a choice. There will be a minority government -- have I ever been wrong? -- with the Grits and Progressive Conservatives neck and neck. So both will need Andrea Horwath and the NDP if they are to govern for any time at all.