Abrogate NAFTA Now

Great idea...a coalition at this point would create some coverage in the mainstream press. I\'d also suggest approaching groups within the anti-war and unfair trade protest movement. There are a lot of individuals there who are politicized enough to show up at protests, but presently feel too alienated from the electoral system to vote.

That\'s kind of old news & the NDP will have a reply to the CAP by Dec 15. I\'ve already sent emails to the NDP & Jack Layton about putting their egos aside & teaming up.

---
"So many right-wing christians, so few lions." - t-shirt I saw @ school

That is precisely why I brought it up again, because of the Dec. 15 deadline.

I want Jack Layton to know just how much support we can give to the cause. If he simply listens to a few ideas being tossed about, then he will make a decision without knowing the depth of the problem.

If, however, he hears a loud thud in his email box by hundreds or thousands of concerned citizens, perhaps that would carry the punch needed for him to realize that there is a large amount of support for this idea.

We can\'t get the media attention, but he can.


That\'s my whole point. Media attention.




---
"Arrogance in Politics is unacceptable"
Jim Callaghan
Minden, Ontario
705-286-1860
www.misterc.ca

I`m all for it, but I`d also like to see it made aware to the public that CAP leadership is actually taking an active role and putting forth genuine input into the NDP. I think that failure to do this will only show the public that we are stuck with the same old tired NDP. Audrey McLauchlin-Alexa McDonough weak leadership/ we must move more to the right kind of tactics was bad for the NDP! Same goes for Bob Rae in Ontario. He proved to be a weak leader! Even the CAW is disenchanted with the NDP! Is Jack Layton a strong, pro-Canada type of leader, who`s not afraid to tell the corporations and the USA to mind their own business? I`m not convinced, yet, though I know he`s still new to the scene. I just don`t want the public perception to be that the NDP is doing it all on their own!

---
Dave Ruston

I absolutely agree. The NDP would make a huge mistake by trying to portray the message on their own.

Their image is tired, and not attracting the many members they need in order to become a real force in Federal politics.

Jack Layton is outspoken and a thorn in the side of those that don\'t agree with the NDP policies. Yes, he is untried, but I have to repeat, he knows how to get media attention, and we need that in spades, right now !!

One can only hope that they are interested in the merger. They would get my vote in a \"Canadian\" minute.

I will email him one more time, and keep the pressure up. Certainly he must know and see there is growing public support for this. He has to know it is good for Canada.



---
"Arrogance in Politics is unacceptable"
Jim Callaghan
Minden, Ontario
705-286-1860
www.misterc.ca

By R. Harding
I am not sure about the NDP (and I am a member). During the leadership campaign the candidates that stood on a strong nationalist message (Comartin and Blaikie) were defeated as many opted for the \"municipal touch\" of Jack Layton.
While Layton has spoken out on the Iraq war and corporate governance these types of pronouncements are not new to the NDP. There is no strong national vision, in fact what is occuring is a kind of fall back to municipal politics (see Layton\'s interview with Sam Gindin and Leo Panitch in Canadian Dimension magazine). This to me is conceding the national field to the continientalists for lack of a strong national perspective. Perhaps this is motivated by fear.
Broadbent was good on CPAC, but again, no emphasis on the national question for Canada. What about integration of our miitary with the U.S., NAFTA, continental engery policy, nationalisation of key infrastructure, universal education through post-secondary, etc. Little if anything from the NDP except vague positions.

Canada desperately needs a popular, left nationalist movement and party. One that is able to create its own cuture, not worry about how \"media savvy\" its leaders are. One that recognizes who the enemy is and is prepared to confront and defeat that enemy where ever it is encountered. After all, the future of the world\'s second laregest nation is at stake. To listen to the NDP you would think all is well except a, b, and c which are generally the \"accepted\" issues. Courage to discuss \"unpleasant\" realities (such as that of the U.S. Empire)in public is needed.
Currently its all too \"civil society\" for me.

Hello all,

I\'m new here. I look forward to conversing with you all. Also to comment on this topic. I think that the party should focus on natives as well. I have many friends that are native. I know one thing for sure, they are pro-canada. Let the native community know what is going on. They can be a big support as well.

Kevin Gagnon
http://www.kevingagnon.ca

The NDP is too focussed on what they are not, instead of what they stand for...I can\'t get a true reading on Jack Layton as it\'s always about Paul Martin\'s flaws. I want to hear about Martin\'s flaws alright, but I also want to know what NDP stands for, where are they headed, what kind of government do they see for Canada, will they stand up to the U.S. to the WTO and other NaFTA agreements which are killing this country. Will they promote and expand Canada\'s Canadian ownership, jobs for Canadians in Canada, Canadian production and goods? I have heard nothing that is visionary and at this point we need concrete ideas, not the same old b.s. which has crippled this country province by province! I\'m not saying they are not the party, but at this point they\'ve said nothing to convince me that they can represent the people, the new progressive party is scarry and the liberals terrify me, so what\'s left??? Is there a party that will stand for Canadians, not sell off our natural resources, invest in a military that looks after our interests, not allow foreign corporations to take over this country, if there is I\'d like to hear about it? CAP is the only one that addresses these issues to the point, and I can\'t see them having enough candidates to run in the election, or will they?

Welcome Kevin, since you express the idea of having native input, I wonder if you could encourage some of your native friends to participate in this forum. I would appreciate hearing opinions from native peoples across this country and I\'m sure other participants would also. Every point of view is helpful and expands our horizons, if we want the country to grow and prosper we need to get as many ideas as possible. Not to mention that the native peoples of Canada have a great deal at stake, as do we all in the future globalization projects that the U.S.administration and their corporate buddies have in store for us.