Vote Strategic, Vote ProgressiveGreen or NDP

The liberals have fell into free-fall and will be unable to stop Stephen Harper from becoming Prime Minister. Paul Martin's campaign has been atrocious, and the new negative ads killed any chance of him being re-elected. Stephen Harper has ran the strongest campaign with very few errors and dominated it policy-wise with his GST plan. The other parties have made slight gains and could be players in a minority parliament. I generally support Liberal policies but Martin and crew (Scott Reid) have to go for the good of the country. In English Canada, there are four major parties campaigning for support and one that is vastly different than the other three. The Conservatives are too-American, too-right-wing, and too out of touch with mainstream Canadians to be allowed to govern with a majority.

The Liberals were suppossed to win a minority government and a strong campaign might have taken back into majority terrority. But that is a distant memory and if the liberals don't stop the conservative momentum all of the their seats will be a gold rush for the other parties and could leave them sitting as the fourth party in the HOC. After 9/11, the Liberals have had to make difficult decisions I and Canadians supported the tough decisions they made. They said no to the Iraq war, participated in the removal of the Taliban in Afghanistan, yes to Kyoto, and were able to maintain an independent policy from the US without angering Americans like the French government did.

When Paul Martin first ran for the leadership of the party because he was too popular and right-wingers and left-wingers thought he was their saviour. Now the liberals are in worse shape under Martin's leadership than Turner's. Hmm, both were former finance ministers who hated Chretien, and look where the Martin Liberals are now. Policy wise I was worried that Martin was going to cozy up to the Americans and be soft with Quebec Nationalists. Chretien handled the Iraq war decision smoothly by not supporting it but didn't anger the Americans that much because the US was aware Canada wanted UN participation and he didn't openly ridicule the Americans. I was wrong on that one. The anti- Bush commericial ("A Harper victory will put a smile on George W Bush's face, Well at least somebody will be happy") sounded like it was written by Carolyn Parrish. Parrish got booted from the party but there are different standards for the leader. Second, the Liberal party have separated themselves from all the other parties as the only party that is tough with Quebec nationalists. Harper will allow Quebec to participate in global cultural institutions which is usually reserved for countries only, not regions. Jack Layton publicly oppossed the Clarity Act last election, and the NDP historically has referred to Quebec as a nation. I support the liberal policies but I don't feel they deserve to govern after the anti-soldier commerical. Sponsorship scandal and now these commericals- why does everything related to advertising get the Liberals in trouble?

But who should I choose?

The Liberals have been in power for over a decade and its better to change governments to clean up the government, rather than call inquiries. I don't believe in term limits or fixed election dates. If the people want to elect a leader or a party they should have the choose to elect them if they want. Fixed election dates set artifical restrictions on governments by not giving them the choice to call an election when they feel the need a mandate and there is no diaster (9/11, Tsumani, War) that the government is preoccupied with. If their are fixed election dates the government might have to fight an election at the start of a war or campaign when foreign ministers are overseas because of a global diaster or an internal diaster could prevent a region of the country voting at the same time as everybody else.

I will not vote for the Conservatives. Stephen Harper is the top strategist in this election and has had some political success by fixing the Alliance party after Day ran it in the ground. After becoming leader he made good shadow cabinet decisions and kept Stockwell Day in the fold where he can watch him so he can't challenge him the outside. (Martin wishes he did the same thing with Kinsella and Manley) Keep your friends, your enemies closer. Harper's role as Conservative leader hasn't been as successfull because they lost Brison, Stronach, Clark, and Orchard to the Liberals. Harper has horrible charisma but unlike Layton at least he has a sense of humour. Policy wise I am scared of a conservative government. They want to drop Kyoto which has been agreed to already by all the provinces (even Alberta now)  with a plan negoiated for years between government and industry. Are emissions are rising and the Conservatives don't want change. Second, Harper wants Canada to participate in the missile defense shield with the US. The US's economy is in turmoil and Congress is thinking of dropping it but Harper still wants in. The US probably wants to place missiles in the Canadian North and Canada does have a robotic arm in space that could have a nuclear warhead at the end of it. Think about it- the Canadarm could be a weapon.

I really hope the Greens win some seats so they can participate in the next debate. Preston Manning even has said the Greens could lead the next revolution in Alberta. There party platform looks like Red Toryism. They believe in income tax cuts and sin taxes. The Greens want higher fuel taxes and to tax companies that increase emmissions more. On the other side they plan on cutting taxes for Canadians that behave environmentally responsible.

Next to the Conservatives I am really unhappy with Jack Layton. He is soft on Quebec nationalism and a hypocrite. He touts the NDP budget but slams Belinda for voting for the NDP budget. Mixed messages. Also, when the government was defeated it was the first time a government was defeated on a no-confidence motion and not a budget or major policy vote. This election was called because the opposition parties like their polling results.

This election I personally will vote Liberal but I am urging all Canadians to vote strategically. In English Canada, if a Conservative is likely to win your riding. Vote Liberal or NDP to stop them. If the Green party has a chance in your riding vote for them. In Quebec, vote for the strongest federalist party in your riding to defeat the Bloc. Every other riding vote Liberal- knowing that is Paul Martin's last election. The Conservative are too-American, the NDP are unclear where they stand, and the Green party has very weak candidates. If the Liberals are too weak under the new election financing law where votes fund parties, and if the NDP finishes ahead of the liberals centeralist politics will be dead. Canada will be like Australia, a left and a right party, and no moderate voice to choose. Vote Liberal, and on Tuesday wait for the Liberal revolt.

Update: Paul Martin wants to win or drive the Liberal party into ground. If your conservative MP is a confirmed Nut than vote Liberal. (if they have a fighting chance) It's hard to believe that the Liberal campaign could sink even lower with Paul Martin accusing Stephen Harper of secretly bringing in anti-abortion legislation. Canadians have had enough of the secret agenda. The Liberals should have brought up Kyoto, the First Nations agreement, gun control. But in the dying days of the campaign they bring up the notwithstanding clause and abortion. Canadians must send a strong message, Paul Martin must go. In any riding the conservative running is not a Nut (or you have an outstanding Liberal candidate) vote Green or NDP. The Green party does not have the baggage of the NDP party and deserves to have a voice in parliament. But some Green candidates only qualifications are being a Canadian citizen and having a name that can be placed on a ballot. Vote wisely.

Related Rants:

United Right Fails to sink Martin; Left makes big strides

Vote Liberal (2004)

Winter Election 2005-2006 News Centre

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Comments: Dave...what can I say...
Posted by joethenarc on Jan-19-2006 09:18:28

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Updated: April 25, 2007
Created: January 18, 2006

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