Why The Left Will Never Run Our Country

I don\'t know that focusing on labour is the way to go. Is the left only in labour? No. And labour, like anything, is often co-opted into big business as well, or becomes stagnant because of the corruption of power. Parties have also faced real political fallout for being \"too influenced\" by labour.

I do think, also, that there is a real chance for the NDP to make huge political gains in this election, because unlike prior elections, a Liberal victory no longer seems a foregone conclusion--the sponsorship scandal is causing a big dip in support for the Liberals, which leaves the Conservatives and NDP to jockey for position. I think Layton is playing it smart by inviting a lot of different people (even disenfranchised Liberals like Copps) into the party. He still has to work on expanding his popular support but the opportunity is there. Of course, the NDP is not as far left (activist, socialist, Marxist) or as far right (PC/Red Tory) as various people would like but it is pretty well the only progressive voice left in party politics right now (unless you want to throw a vote to the Greens or the MJ party or something) and they actually have a decent chance.

This site is not partisan and we try to represent any political options that express nationalist sentiments, but my personal thoughts lately are this. In the US there\'s an \"anybody but Bush\" push to get all progressives and centre-lefts voting for a potential Dem winner. A Dem winner may not be hugely better than Bush but that\'s the only option they have down there. Here, there could be a push to vote NDP--ie anybody but Martin and the \"Conservatives\"?? Won\'t we have a better chance of getting a progressive voice in power (at the very least as official opposition) AT LAST if we all set aside differences and vote for them? Then we can go from there. The grassroots will still exist and can still call them on questionable policies, but the official political \"left\" will actually be in power. Maybe they\'ll even put in proportional representation if we push so we have more options next time.

I\'m open to debate on this of course.

never say never.

I don\'t really understand the \'fear\' of having an NDP gov., most people I talk to say it\'s because they haven\'t been tested...so we don\'t know what we\'ll get...my answer is the Liberals and pc\'s have been tested for over 100yrs and we know what we\'ll get...so why would we vote for the devil we know rather than the chance at not getting a devil at all!? Just a thought...sorry
it\'s me
C.Whelan Costen

I have been going through some unpleasant times, and I think it has coloured my thinking.

I have resolved that I will no longer take the position of \"spoiling my vote\", I will go on record as voting against the present government and the right-RIGHT-wing alternative and vote NDP for the first time in my life.

You folks have finally gotten through, spoiling a vote counts for little. Thanks for that.

Once the election is over and the dust clears, we will have a better feel for what we have (or have not) acccomplished.

Hoping for the best.

As an aside, I have heard so much about the book and movie \"The Corporation\", I must see the movie first then buy the book.

Looks like it opens a few doors that allows for more scrutiny.





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

I agree with Jim. The odds are stacked against them.<p> But like C says above, people don't want to vote for the devil they don't know, and for me there are too many unanswered questions, the biggest is "How are they going to pay for all that?". Perhaps if Layton could enlighten us, and answer some questions, he might stand a better chance. He might also play up his parties policies regarding corporate influence in government, which seems to be the root cause of all this. Although I am considered by many to be on the right, I don't like, nor see any changes in corporate influence over our politicians if the CPC gets the big chair. Especially if Stronach is the leader.<p> Right now in the polls it looks like the NDP are way ahead of the Liberals. Perhaps an NDP opposition could show Canadians what they are all about and give us more confidence in their leadership abilities. It might not be a lofty goal, but second place is better than 'bookends' in the HoC.<p><p>---<br>"History does not repeat itself, but it does rhyme" Mark Twain <br />"The greatest price of not participating in politics is being governed by your inferiors." Plato

The most significant power the corporations have is their ownership of the mass media. In the event of an NDP government, expect a growing tide of media-created \"scandals\" reported and an unrelentingly critical appraisal of every action such a government would take. A similar campaign was waged against Bob Rae\'s government in Ontario, I believe, and before too long, everyone \"knew\" that the Ontario NDP was \"failing.\"

And would an NDP government inevitably be a \"tax and spend\" one which would plunge us into deep debt as a nation? I don\'t think so. Several provincial NDP governments have proven themselves to be just as efficient managers of public funds as their political competition, and anyway, the Canadian public would not stand for it. Running up huge deficits would be a guarantee of no re-election, and this threat would keep Mr. Layton in line, I believe. Besides, the NDP is not against business and job creation, but rather opposed to systematic exploitation by the rich and powerful. (In the interests of transparency, by the way, I am a long-time NDP supporter).

Brett Mann

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Brett Mann

<P> Allot of great post in this thread. I think that the best way to get around the CanWest media outlets would be to use the power of the net. Maybe vive should set up a donation account which they can use to do a mass advertising campaign on the net that would target Canadians. I think the NDP has done a positive step in using the internet to do a mass campaign regarding star wars. <P> There are ways for vive, Hellyer, Hurtig, Orchard to get its message out to Canadians. We as members here can only do so much to share this site and Mel Hurtig books. There needs to be a more mass advertising campaign for at least a few weeks or months before the election. <P> The content that you find here at vive would be a great way for Canadians to get informed. Also sites like <A HREF="http://www.canadiandemocraticmovement.ca/">Canadian Democratic Movement/</A> and <A HREF="http://www.discourseanddisclosure.ca">Discourse and Disclosure</A> . <P> Unless the message gets out there through alternative sources other then big media. People will continue to think that liberals and conservatives are their only choice for a left/center leaning government. It has allot to do with history. <P> John. A Macdonald who would be considered left or left/center is the type of politician who help the brand name of the conservatives. Although Mulroney has soured that brand, it obviously didn't sour it enough. Some conservative supporters, people who are confused between liberal and conservative gov, still some how think that they won't ever elect another Mulroney under the conservative party. Of course we know these voters will no matter who becomes the leader. Their all far right leaning. <P> The fact is the brand conservative is not what the new conservatives truly are. Really the brand is decieving Canadians. <P> Kevin Gagnon<BR> <A HREF="http://www.kevingagnon.ca">www.kevingagnon.ca</A>

Yes susan! I agree that proportional representation would be the main gift Canadians could expect from the NDP.....if they ever get in power, they\'d BETTER get it done, and quickly. The voters wouldn\'t allow it to be repealed later, so at least the NDP would be paving the way for better politics in Canada.

Both right-wing governments in this country want closer ties with the US. I don\'t understand anyone wanting that.

(Unless you happen to be a CEO or are very wealthy !)

At least I can\'t see Jack Layton rushing down to Washington to kiss somebody\'s butt !!

(Doesn\'t that conjure up an image !!??)



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

Thanks Jim, that image is really disgusting...but then again, thinking about how many others are kissing someone\'s butt is equally disgusting...I\'m not sure what Layton is doing, but that isn\'t something I think is on his agenda!

Dr Caleb,

I\'ll be voting NDP for the first time in my life as well.

Actually, if the BLOC were a national party I\'d vote for them. They seem to be the closest to my way of thinking. Sometimes I find myself thinking things I never would have dreamed I\'d be thinking just 2 yrs. ago. I\'ve even thought I\'d move to Quebec and vote to separate. Sometimes I feel like I love a Canada that ain\'t returnin the love. (Cowboy song material)

Thanks Perturbed, you just made my decision to vote NDP more valid. I need to feel more integral about that.

Does he have the lego-like, anus-shaped lips?

Hi Brett,

My first time seeing your name here, welcome.

I agree that the media can do big harm to the left. What I\'m doing in my small part of the world is painting a huge billboard for my property stating VOTE NDP for feds and GREENS provincially. I\'ll use the candidates names instead of the party names. Put signs everywhere now. Start to show there is support out there for the NDP. People need to know their party stands a chance before they\'ll vote for them.