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Originally Posted by Daoust
I just never consider them as a voting option since their left-wingedness is too extreme
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I find that an interesting comment. I've read through their platform and find that while yes, it is left of centre, they are hardly extreme in their policies. The Liberals have adopted many of their policies throughout the years.
I guess I come from the position that we will never see an NDP government. I don't vote NDP so they will be government. I vote for them so they will be a voice in opposition or, in a minority situation, hold the balance of power.
They are the voice that keeps our government from shifting too far right.
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Originally Posted by sherpahigh
Stephen Harper gets a bad rap from a lot of the more left leaning folk in Canada. He is not the devil incarnate nor is he Georgies puppet. The Conservatives in Canada are far from the Cons in the US. In fact, I'd say they more closely match the Dems there. Anyway, Harper's a bright guy and I think he'd be a good PM. Certainly wouldn't be the end of the world if he gets a majority. Probably the best thing that could happen to Canada at this point.
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No Harper isn't the devil incarnate, but I don't think you are right when you say the Conservative Party of Canada is far from the Cons in the US. While the party was tempered by the absorbtion of the old Progressive Conservative, the fact is that it is the Reform element within this new party is firmly in control.
Their fiscal policy is quite American in its, "give the money to the people and let them fend for themselves" approach. But what are they really offering?
A cut in the GST? They will raise the basic tax rate to pay for it. You would have to spend something like $800 a week in goods and services to get back the tax they are going to raise.
$1200 to family with kids? Doesn't even sratch the surface on childcare costs.
One cannot argue against the fact that the Liberals have brought prosperity and fiscal responsibility to Canada. Their scandals aside, the nation is in a much better place than what Mulroney and his people left us with in the beginning of the 90s. Much better.
This election, Harper has played the PR game like a pro. He has silenced the oddballs in his party, control his own personal ticks that turned people off in the past and managed to convince the nation that his party is the Progressive Conservative party of old. I wouldn't have as much of a problem with the Conservatives if they really were the PC party. They are not.
I do understand the desire to wipe of the Liberals that many feel... if anyone is to blame for this state of affairs it is Chretien and his cronies. I truly feel bad for Martin. He has done everything in his power to clean up the Liberal party. He has instituted the strictest financial auditing system of *any* nation in the world. He just couldn't rule effectively with Chretien's knives so deeply placed in his back.
For those who like a centrist position but just can stomach casting a vote for the Liberals, I suggest you seriously consider voting NDP. It looks like the Conservatives are going to win the election. OK. But why put all our eggs in one basket? If we give them a majority, they will have free reign to do what they want. There will be no checks or balances on their actions until the next election. Give them a minority with the balance of power held by the NDP and the tendency will be to pull them closer to the centre.
Give the Conservatives a chance to see what they can do in power but keep that power in check.