Election thoughts...
So, here we are, two weeks into the election campaign - here are my first impressions:
- Kudos to the Conservatives for setting the agenda with their stream of "policy a day" announcments. The policies themselves may not be perfect (what policy is) but they are leading what has been, for the most part, an election that has been suprisingly heavy on policy discussion. This should be (and I emphasize the should be part) dispelling the idea that the Conservatives have their infamous "hidden agenda". The Liberals have looked pretty reactionary - and completely bereft of ideas. They have yet to put forward a single original policy (I don't call announcing $100 billion over 100 years or whatever their actual ridiculous Daycare pledge was, an original policy). Martin has been reduced to pontificating about values, using the US as punching bag, and trying to drag same-sex marriage back into the debate at every turn. Pathetic.
- Paul Martin should not be allowed near a microphone during an election...oh hell, ever. The man is pathetically incapable of uttering a single sentence with any connection to reality. He is full of lofty rhetoric, and high sounding ideals - but none of it is connected in any way to things we like to call "facts" or "reality". Every word the man utters is political. Take his poke at the Americans during the Montreal climate change conference. Given the fact that the American's record on reducing Green House gas emissions is, in reality, better than Canada's, Martin decided to take a poke at the Americans for not signing on to the global gaggle-fuck of the Kyoto treaty. Sure we've signed it, and that makes Martin puff out his chest and act like Canada is actually doing something about climate change...ignoring the reality that Canada actually has one of the worst environmental records. But then again that seems to be the Canadian character these days - talk a lot, and if you talk enough, why then it must be true. We are engrossed in our own Liberal myths about Canada, despite the facts that we are not the best environmentalists, the best peacekeepers, the most mulit-cultural, tolerant...whatever...
Again - pathetic. Pissing off our biggest trading partner, no matter how much you dislike the current administration, while it may give you a chance to get on the news wrapping yourself in the flag, is profoundly stupid, and can have serious long term consequences for all Canadians - not just your pathetic political career.
Yes, you may have guessed right - I am not a Paul Martin fan. If just once his lofty rhetoric (remember that "democratic deficit" or "ending the politics of cronyism"?) was matched by his actual, you know, actions, than maybe I could cut him a break. But since the only talent, and the only ambition he has demonstrated has been to get elected (and he his clueless once he has been elected), I find him to be quite reprehensible (and considering the fact that I have a pretty low opinion of politicians in general, thats saying something).
- Beer and popcorn? That comment, more than any other, displays the Liberal philosophy. You can't be trusted with your money, so give it to us to spread around. Why, if you had it, you might be able to make choices! We, the Liberals, are the only ones who should be making choices! Its our money! Well, actually, Paul & co. its OUR money, and while yes, there are idiots out there who would indeed blow the daycare money on beer & popcorn, I trust that the majority of Canadian parents are perfectly capable of making their own choices about what to spend their money on, and how to raise their children.
- Daycare? Can someone explain to me how the Liberal's $5 billion differs from the Conservatives $5 billion (aside from the fact that the Conservatives money will go directly to parents?). The Liberals make it sound as if their money will somehow conjure a day care space for every thumbsucker in the country. Really? What it looks like is another bag of cash thrown at the Provinces, to do with what they will. And since the Liberal plan will only affect parents who actually use institutional daycare (about 15-20% according to the figures I keep hearing), how will all that money actually help the other 80% of parents? Seems to me that letting the parents keep more of their money (or failing that, giving it back to them) is a fine idea.
And why are the words "profit" and "private" synonomous with "evil"? As if making something "public" means that someone has waved the magic wand and everyone involved in something "public" is suddenly selfless and pure and innocent (untainted as they are by the evils of "profit"!)...hmmm...remember the Koebel brothers? Residential schools (a fine "public" institution)?
Really, we need to open up the debate on these issues (including healthcare) and stop spitting out words like "private" and equating them with satanism - and using them to close out any actual discussion.
More to come later - dinner awaits!
- Kudos to the Conservatives for setting the agenda with their stream of "policy a day" announcments. The policies themselves may not be perfect (what policy is) but they are leading what has been, for the most part, an election that has been suprisingly heavy on policy discussion. This should be (and I emphasize the should be part) dispelling the idea that the Conservatives have their infamous "hidden agenda". The Liberals have looked pretty reactionary - and completely bereft of ideas. They have yet to put forward a single original policy (I don't call announcing $100 billion over 100 years or whatever their actual ridiculous Daycare pledge was, an original policy). Martin has been reduced to pontificating about values, using the US as punching bag, and trying to drag same-sex marriage back into the debate at every turn. Pathetic.
- Paul Martin should not be allowed near a microphone during an election...oh hell, ever. The man is pathetically incapable of uttering a single sentence with any connection to reality. He is full of lofty rhetoric, and high sounding ideals - but none of it is connected in any way to things we like to call "facts" or "reality". Every word the man utters is political. Take his poke at the Americans during the Montreal climate change conference. Given the fact that the American's record on reducing Green House gas emissions is, in reality, better than Canada's, Martin decided to take a poke at the Americans for not signing on to the global gaggle-fuck of the Kyoto treaty. Sure we've signed it, and that makes Martin puff out his chest and act like Canada is actually doing something about climate change...ignoring the reality that Canada actually has one of the worst environmental records. But then again that seems to be the Canadian character these days - talk a lot, and if you talk enough, why then it must be true. We are engrossed in our own Liberal myths about Canada, despite the facts that we are not the best environmentalists, the best peacekeepers, the most mulit-cultural, tolerant...whatever...
Again - pathetic. Pissing off our biggest trading partner, no matter how much you dislike the current administration, while it may give you a chance to get on the news wrapping yourself in the flag, is profoundly stupid, and can have serious long term consequences for all Canadians - not just your pathetic political career.
Yes, you may have guessed right - I am not a Paul Martin fan. If just once his lofty rhetoric (remember that "democratic deficit" or "ending the politics of cronyism"?) was matched by his actual, you know, actions, than maybe I could cut him a break. But since the only talent, and the only ambition he has demonstrated has been to get elected (and he his clueless once he has been elected), I find him to be quite reprehensible (and considering the fact that I have a pretty low opinion of politicians in general, thats saying something).
- Beer and popcorn? That comment, more than any other, displays the Liberal philosophy. You can't be trusted with your money, so give it to us to spread around. Why, if you had it, you might be able to make choices! We, the Liberals, are the only ones who should be making choices! Its our money! Well, actually, Paul & co. its OUR money, and while yes, there are idiots out there who would indeed blow the daycare money on beer & popcorn, I trust that the majority of Canadian parents are perfectly capable of making their own choices about what to spend their money on, and how to raise their children.
- Daycare? Can someone explain to me how the Liberal's $5 billion differs from the Conservatives $5 billion (aside from the fact that the Conservatives money will go directly to parents?). The Liberals make it sound as if their money will somehow conjure a day care space for every thumbsucker in the country. Really? What it looks like is another bag of cash thrown at the Provinces, to do with what they will. And since the Liberal plan will only affect parents who actually use institutional daycare (about 15-20% according to the figures I keep hearing), how will all that money actually help the other 80% of parents? Seems to me that letting the parents keep more of their money (or failing that, giving it back to them) is a fine idea.
And why are the words "profit" and "private" synonomous with "evil"? As if making something "public" means that someone has waved the magic wand and everyone involved in something "public" is suddenly selfless and pure and innocent (untainted as they are by the evils of "profit"!)...hmmm...remember the Koebel brothers? Residential schools (a fine "public" institution)?
Really, we need to open up the debate on these issues (including healthcare) and stop spitting out words like "private" and equating them with satanism - and using them to close out any actual discussion.
More to come later - dinner awaits!
posted by Steve at
6:01 PM
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