I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Our country is Politically in a mess.
It is my belief that no parties follow their platforms to any noticeable degree. They just fight against whatever the party in power does and present a strong anti-opinion. What are their platforms? Why don’t you like them Jake? (you may ask).
Well, loyal readers, I have decided that I’ll try to keep a non-partisan style (but hardline jake style) for this post and write about each of our four major political parties, and what I think about them. Pros and cons are, of course, based on my judgement.
The New Democratic Party
Pros - A party that feels like it truly is ‘for the people’. Everyone loves an underdog, and the NDP is certainly an underdog in our political planet. They’re very strongly pro-choice, support alternative sexual lifestyles, and basically feel racial and religious differences are a foundation of a good society. Their leader looks a lot like an elderly Bill Murray [Jason].
Cons - Fiscally Liberal. They wildly support almost a any social program but, like most fiscal liberals they don’t propose WHERE they money comes from to pay for them. Judging from the historical Democrat performance in the States, they most likely could not hold onto a government if elected to one. Their cup is half full perspective gets a little annoying, especially when getting excited about losing elections.
The Bloc Québécois
Pros - A party with solid, intelligent leadership. I bet most of the other parties in this country wish they had Gilles Duceppe at the helm, fighting for their side. Mainly social democrats, Bloc voters seem to support social freedom and equality. You really get the feeling that the Bloc would fight tooth and nail for it’s voters (…and has).
Cons - The whole separatist idea. They feel they’ve gotten the arse end of the stick for too long - money going out > money coming in. Unfortunately, them leaving affects the whole country. I am against Quebec separating - not by reason of ‘Canadian Pride’ but rather because I feel that Quebec leaving the country would completely bugger us all up. That having been said, If it wasn’t for Pierre Trudeau, I figure these guys would be gone long ago anyway.
The Conservative Party of Canada
Pros - Much like any other global conservative party they advocate ‘grass roots’ ideals and fight to preserve the ‘old’ way of life. That is somewhat noble in my mind. Despite a few disagreements I have with the platform (Abolishing the CBC, etc) , their financial conservatism is bang on - exactly what I feel. The party has some real solid politicians (Peter Mackay, Tony Clement) in particular. In the early 2000’s, Joe Clark got a stylish new pair of glasses. That was indeed positive.
Cons - Unfortunately the ‘grass roots’ policies also promote hard line conservative social ideals. Not openly anti-homosexual, they fight for the so called ‘preservation of the sanctity of marriage’ (whatever that means). Their leader is HARD right wing and the media has drawn several parallels between his direction and that of the US Republicans. I verbally rant about the conservatives’ social policy almost daily, and there is a plethora of things I could list in this “cons” section. Basically they can not stop bagging on ANYTHING the liberals do, even if it is something they would have done themselves.
The Liberal Party of Canada
Pros - Social freedoms top their list of good things for me. Their leader took a stance aligned with gay marriage and saw it through. Balanced a budget last year despite their fiscal representation. Took Mulroney’s crippling mess and straightened it out.
Cons - Like the NDP they are fiscally liberal. The whole social programs thing really makes me cringe, but they seem to have SOME accountability for money.
You can tell I really ran out of steam typing the Liberal description. Feel free to comment and add to it. It’s 10am and I’ve run out of coffee.
So what pray tell am I? Who do I support? Well, I suppose I would be, as Rob pointed out a “Red Tory“, but I cannot really sway toward any current party for this reason or that. I’d much rather create my own Political party and run for Prime Minister.
I’d probably get more votes than the Green party.
