Today is election day in Canada. If the polls are correct we shall have the same sort of government we had prior to election being called - a minority government with none of the major parties having a real mandate to govern. Apparently Canada is becoming Italy without the art, architecture, fabulous food and clothing . . . sigh.
What a colossal waste of more than $ 300 million taxpayer dollars. That could have been a lot of child care spaces. Wasting taxpayer money - reason number one why I am not voting for Stephen Harper.
Yesterday was Thanksgiving day - people gathhered with loved ones to enjoy a turkey dinner and count their blessings. Imagine my shock when the doorbell rang and it was the local Conservative team looking for my support in the election. Imagine the befuddled look on their faces when I declared that 'I'd rather stick pins in my eyes than vote for Stephen Harper!' Imagine the speed with which they walked away.
Mom and Paul overheard this exchange and were somewhat shocked at my behaviour. Me? Not at all (obviously) - it has been a long campaign and I had been waiting for an opportunity to say this! But this is a second reason why I won't vote for Harper. He has practiced negative politics - it really has brought out the worst in Canada.
Flush with cash, armed with Republican Party tactics of social division, with political hit men from the old Mike Harris government at the ready, his hopes seem to be that his "leadership" image combined with a splintered opposition and Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion’s handicaps will carry the day and that he won’t have to explain anything. The unfortunate thing is that this social division has created an anger within the country that we haven't experienced for some time. It isn't healthy and does not bode well for Harper nor for Canada.
Reason number three . . . secrecy and manipulation. Now I may be idealistic but I am not naive. I know that all politicians manipulate things a bit (some more than a bit). I understand that spin doctors are a part of our modern world and that they won't be going anywhere soon.
However, Harper has turned this into an art. Case in point . . . the war in Afghanistan. When public confidence in the war started to wane, what did Harper do? Decreed that the flag on Parliament Hill could not be lowered in the event of a soldier death. Similarly he refused media access to the funerals and committal of deceased soldiers. This was without consulting the families who wanted to grieve openly and wanted their loved one's sacrifice known, talked about, and understood.
Sure Harper thought that if Canadians didn't see a coffin with a Canadian flag draped over it being loaded into a hearse we might forget that our brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, friends, loved ones, and neighhbours were being killed in a seemingly pointless war. Stephen, Canadians are not a stupid bunch. Stop playing these games.
Show some respect for our military and the sacrifices made by soldiers.
Three powerful reasons to not vote for this George W. Bush of the north.
But the real reason my vote is going elsewhere is far more complex. I do believe that Harper has an agenda - it isn't as hidden as one might think. Given a majority in the House of Commons I am convinced that he will change Canada into a profoundly different nation. A nation I do not dream about, desire, nor want to live in.
His agenda isn't hidden, rather it is quite open. Originally, it was articulated when he was the head of the National Citizens’ Coalition, an Alberta-based, corporate-supported, right-wing advocacy group: cut taxes, slash support for the arts and citizens’ groups, trash Canada’s United Nations peacekeeping role, discredit any activity carried on by the state except the military, privatize or diminish public sector services, and so on.
With a majority would he, for example, destroy public Medicare – the primary reason why the NCC was originally created?
He’s made noises about the CBC before. Would putting the CBC under be the crowning piece of his arts-cutting?
He had to be beaten over the head to even acknowledge climate change. Once he admitted that there might be a wee problem his proposals to cut greenhouses gasses by 2050 were laughable. Would a Conservative majority signal the end of all but the pretense of an environmental policy – and four more wasted years on that front?
Would he trash public regulation of this and that, as he has done with food inspection (prior to the worst outbreak of food poisoning in recent memory)?
The economy, the environment, the worsening war in Afghanistan or, in an unstable political environment, any number of unforeseen issues might break out and dominate the next Parliament.
But no matter what it is, the job for the next opposition is to drag Stephen Harper’s not-so-mysterious intentions out into the open so we can vote with our eyes open.
Now, in case you are still thinking of voting for this guy . . . check out these posts:
Such a sad but vivid tale of political manipulation and dishonesty. In the end - the important thing si to vote. Be educated and vote!
Jerry, at least your elections are today. I wish ours were!
Posted by: Jane | October 14, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Way to go Jerry, I'm glad you told the Conservative door-knockers how you felt (and why would they, with their Family Values be out harrasing votes on a national holiday?!)
One comforting thought is that if Harper wins another minority, his party may turn on him for a pretty dismal record -- 3 elections in four years and he still can't win one.
Posted by: sandrac | October 14, 2008 at 04:51 PM
Help, just heard on BBC news that in early results Conservatives have 120 seats, Liberals 34, and NDP I missed - these results from the Atlantic Provinces and TORONTO - have you no influence at all Jerry!
I cannot believe this.
Need to go and watch the results on a Canadian station, and keep my fingers crossed that the West will do the right thing.
Posted by: Sheena | October 14, 2008 at 10:18 PM
Sorry to see the election results Jerry. I can imagine how you feel. I will be equally disconcerted if McCain and that she-devil Palin are elected here.
Posted by: Laura | October 14, 2008 at 11:53 PM
Jane - you only have a few weeks left. Then the re-building can begin.
Sandra - don't get me started on the so-called family values.
Sheena - don't watch the BBC. It is not great news but it isn't that bad! LOL
Laura - the only silver lining is at least it is not a majority. McCain and Palin don't stand a chance!
Posted by: Jerry | October 16, 2008 at 08:27 AM