If you haven't read Randall Denley's article in the Ottawa Citizen entitled:
There's more to this election than Conservatives and Liberals
yet, go read it. I've never seen a journalist stand up to the established order of things like this. The tide must be turning, winds of change blablabla... But seriously, I think I am going to frame this story.
Here are my favourite snippets:
It's early in the campaign, but neither Dion nor his Green Shift policy seem to be registering with Canadians. If the Liberal leader can't show some sign of life in the polls, this election will be about choosing the next official Opposition. The NDP's credentials there are arguably stronger than the Liberals'...
and
One might reasonably ask what, other than habit, makes the Liberals the automatic alternative to the Conservatives. After all their years in government, the Liberals still retain an aura of credibility -- but is it deserved?
The Paul Martin era, brief though it was, squandered the image Liberals had spent more than a decade building up. Their tough money guy turned out to be a woolly-headed ditherer. Then the Liberals amazed the public, and probably themselves, by choosing as leader the candidate who was the fourth-most electable on their slim list. They topped that with the Green Shift, a policy that is not entirely without merit, but also one that is pretty nearly impossible for their candidates to explain and for the public to understand. Why does all of this guarantee the Liberals at least a second place finish?
Voters who do not support the Conservatives need to ask themselves what they want to achieve in this election. At a minimum, it has to be an opposition that will do its job and effectively critique Conservative policies.
That's a tough one for the Liberals. As the official Opposition, the Liberals were pushed around by the Conservatives, either voting with them or not showing up for crucial votes.
Great analysis. I wholeheartedly agree. For a detailed look at what Denley is talking about in terms of the Liberals' job in opposition, I will refer you to my earlier post. Enjoy.
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5 comments:
I like this comment that Denley wrote:
"Yesterday, Harper said that Layton's plan to expand medical schools was unaffordable, but the cost is $200 million a year. Harper is prepared to spend $600 million a year to reduce the price of diesel and aviation fuels by two cents a litre. Which plan offers the bigger benefit to Canadians?"
In the six months before the election, I believe Harper promised over 8 billion dollars in goodies to buy our votes. Is that what fiscally responsible Conservatives do?
With his two cent decrease in the diesel fuel tax, I'm going to have to get rid of my hybrid and by me a diesel truck.
If I can skill to Dion and his Liberals, his carbon tax may seem like a wonderful idea. However, I don't see how this tax will make our society any better. If we want a better society, let's invest in public transit. Let's design neighbourhoods that high walkability scores with easy walking access to stores, schools, and other community institutions. Let's create a democratic society where people actually meet others on the street and solve problems together. Which party can create a better society? I don't see the Conervatives or Liberals doing it right now.
...buy me a diesel truck.
I feel like a sutpid Canadian.
Gee Skinny dipper, you aren't talking about "sustainable communities are you"?
Definitely that article is a keeper. We need more like that.
I'm all for sustainable communities. I've been to many big and small cities in Europe where one does not need a car to travel around. Either everything is within walking distance or accessible by public transit.
I know that there is more to a community than public transit and short walking distances. A community is a group of people who live together who can share in many of the resources to make their lives better.
Resources: schools, libraries, community centres, stores, town squares, etc.
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