tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32931256.post2002348418208594805..comments2024-03-22T05:20:44.167-07:00Comments on The Disaffected Lib: What I Want From OttawaThe Mound of Soundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09023839743772372922noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32931256.post-27679383713359463832011-02-01T00:31:26.415-08:002011-02-01T00:31:26.415-08:00Sorry Oryx but Layton will never get my vote. He&...Sorry Oryx but Layton will never get my vote. He's a shitheel like the rest. Look at the way your dirtball leftie turned on Dion over carbon taxes, the only effective way to implement meaningful carbon emissions. When he pulled that stunt for his own personal political advantage I had the full measure of that weasel. No thanks.The Mound of Soundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09023839743772372922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32931256.post-19531259231313394492011-01-31T20:12:23.123-08:002011-01-31T20:12:23.123-08:00Unless you're referring to some far gone liber...Unless you're referring to some far gone liberal party, perhaps the one led by Lester Pearson or Pierre Trudeau, the Liberals of the last thirty years have been nothing more than a bunch of craven, corporatist elites.<br /><br />Since 1980 the gap between the rich and poor has be growing, with higher concentrations of wealth in few hands than ever. This happened under Liberal and Conservative governments alike, but in fact, the biggest gains to the rich were made under the combined 13 year leadership of Jean Cretien and Paul Martin. <br /><br />While we can be proud that Jean Cretien refused to join the "coalition of the willing", he wholeheartedly committed Canada to the equally illegal war in Afghanistan. Martin continued lock-step in his shoes (after first wiping Cretien's blood off the dagger he pulled out of his back) and the only decent policies to emerge (such as Canada's refusal to be part of the U.S anti-missile treaty) were the result of his enforced coalition with the NDP. He was also responsible for the appointment of the Right Despicable Michaelle Jean, who prorogued Parliament not once, but twice.<br /><br />I don't know your reasoning for not trusting the NDP, at least on a Federal level (I understand that they are imploding under intense inter-party squabbling in B.C. right now; maybe that's it). Maybe it's the defection by Bob Rae to the Liberals, or the fact that they hoofed Buzz Hargrove from the party. But, you've read Chris Hedges and understand, I'm sure, how the once great small L liberal institutions have long been co-opted by cororatism. <br /><br />But you're right <br />about one thing; there is no time to invent an alternative party. The only party that can even come close to fullfilling your wish list, which echoes my own, is to turn to the NDP. Jack Leyton and his party have been the ONLY politicians who have consistently advocated for strong measures on climate change-beyond even the lame strictures of Kyoto, consistently calls for Canada's immediate withdrawal from Afghanistan, consistently calls for "first past the post" proportional representation, consistently demands higher taxation for corporations and the wealthyoryxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11673008342749650048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32931256.post-79462969416835898182011-01-25T10:07:13.919-08:002011-01-25T10:07:13.919-08:00Unfortunately Anon we don't have the decade or...Unfortunately Anon we don't have the decade or two necessary to organize and launch a new party that would be capable of influencing events in Ottawa.<br /><br />The best I think we can hope for is a wholesale housecleaning of the Liberal Party. It's become clogged with punks, pretenders and hangers-on. Just as Iggy learned that Ian Davey was no Keith Davey, the Libs had better sober up and realize Justin is no Pierre either. The whole party has become just so terribly lame, pathetic, sophomoric.<br /><br />Yet lurking in the background, gasping for breath, remains the once powerful Liberal organization. It's quite an amazing force when the reins are in the right hands. What's unclear to me is how much longer it can survive without a genuine leader.The Mound of Soundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09023839743772372922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32931256.post-30959325373463036442011-01-25T08:29:34.691-08:002011-01-25T08:29:34.691-08:00I'd suggest the following:
1. Proportional re...I'd suggest the following:<br />1. Proportional representation or some similar level of political reform in this country. There's no reason why such a small group of people should 'own' Canada the way they do.<br />2. Make a commitment to put Canada on the map when it comes to digital communications, including media and regulatory reform. The CRTC is useless, the CBC has been silenced and the monopolies that own the existing structure are ripping us off.<br />3. Price parity: Canadians are paying for the rise in the value of the dollar, but are not getting any benefit. Books, gas, food and a myriad other routine consumer goods are anywhere from 20-100% more expensive than their price in the US, but for no reason.<br />4. Significant cuts to the defence and prison programs. Canada should be a secure state, not a security state.<br /><br />I could go on. I think what Canada needs is a fresh party that isn't mired in the daily trash of the Hill. I don't think the Greens have what it takes either.<br /><br />Let's start a Party!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com