Not sure how I'm voting yet...but it's not Conservative.
Now, in Class, I was basically attacked for this stance, in the wake of the sponsorship scandal, but don't get me wrong; I think that was stupid and a waste of taxpayer dollars. And, I can understand why some people would want to vote Conservative (Although I personally can't see Harper as Prime Minister). While I'm all for change, I'm not sure voting Conservative just because you want a change is going to work out as some expect.
Too often the only reason people are listing to vote Conservative is not that their policies are strong, but instead that the Liberals wasted their money. And, I think this is a backwards way of looking at politics. You have your opinion, but it should be based on how you feel about what Harper does, not what Harper won't do.
If I do end up voting Liberal, it will be only because the person running in my riding is Geoff Regan, Federal Fisheries Minister, and thus would have a bit more clout in Ottawa than the other representatives (While there is a large chance of Liberal Minority, I'm not seeing a Conservative Victory). It will not be in support of their past programs in any way.
But, look at that word past...Jean Chretien has literally chosen to kick Paul Martin in the ass here, didn't he? He's the one who set up the gun registry, and was the largest political figure who could have stopped the sponsorship scandal. The blaming of Paul Martin for programs and events that were out of his control is why the Conservatives have been able to rise in support. The Liberals got screwed by their outgoing leader, really. That must be incredibly frustrating for Martin.
Our class debate basically came down to a Conservative vs. Others debate, because of the extreme difference in ideals. While it may not seem like a big deal to most of Canada, the Kyoto Accord is a definitely important issue, simply because of Stephen Harper's comments that he will scrap it.
Fuck the hell off, Harper.
The Kyoto Accord is hanging by a thread right now, thanks to the backing out of Russia and the complete non-commital of the US. While you may look at this as a chance to get out from a dying ship, if you get off that boat it will simply sink. It will fall into the ocean forever. We are one of the final large contributers to the Kyoto Accord, and all other major parties are supporting it. I can't understand...Harper would simply replace it with something seemingly the same, but it would likely be less strict, in order to please big oil and big business in Canada. Just keep it as it is, and hope that it comes together. It seems like little but an excuse to reduce our environmental protection, not an actual policy concern.
Harper got too comfortable last week though, and started talking about Free Votes and Abortion, and realized that his spike in popularity had little to do with his own policies, but instead with the people fed up with the Liberals. He says he wouldn't introduce legislation against Abortion, but then was forced to backtrack, realizing that he can't just go back to his right-wing tomfoolery and expect to keep his support. Stephen Harper is not ready to run Canada, when he can't even get support for his own party's ideals.
I mean, seriously, I would rather have Belinda Stronach, who was really the female Paul Martin. She should have been a Liberal, really, as she is pro same sex marriage, pro Right to Choose, and very simply as red a Tory as you'll get. She at least would have been able to merge the ideals of the two parties enough that I could, without wretching, vote for the Conservatives in lieu of the Liberals. But, Harper's conservative values are too reactionary for me. He would effectively kill legislation that would keep us in reality, not back 25 years ago. This is a different world, and I would hate to see $250 million gone make voters unaware of what Harper would do.
Jack Layton and the NDP are just as delusional at times. Layton is a strong speaker, but the problem is that they are too far left to pick up right of center Liberal support, and they have the Green Party kicking at their heels to try to take away some of the socialist vote. They could have picked up some support in Quebec when it seemed like the Bloc would fade, but with the Sponsorship Scandal, the Bloc are now able to work a campaign against the Liberals and likely destroy them in the process, which is really too bad. The Bloc's cause is pretty well dead now, and once again people are losing focus in lieu of the sponsorship scandal, maybe not sure what they're supporting.
So, I really don't care who anyone votes for, but as long as it isn't a vote in spite. Don't go to the polls to vote against anyone. If you like reactionary, back to traditional values Conservatives, note Conservative. If you aren't quite too liberal, and can realize that Martin could actually not be a corrupt person, vote Liberal. If you like Social Programs, for god's sake don't vote Conservative, not NDP. If you and Mother Nature will never forget those nights together, bote Green Party. And...well, there's no other parties running more than like 100 candidates, so enjoy your process. I know I am.
