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This is why I'll vote seperatist next time.
17 years ago
General
Probably coming out of left field for American chaps who read my journal, but other Canadians probably (hopefully) know what I'm talking about.
For those who don't, not too long ago we had an election. Stephen Harper was re-elected into a minority government, which was sworn in on November 18th. Today, the Liberals, NDP, and Bloc Quebecois signed a coalition to overthrow Harper and his party and possibly re-arrange the seats in Parliament by calling by-elections in closely contested ridings.
I didn't vote last election. I didn't vote because I felt that my vote, in a heavily Conservative riding, would mean nothing. I was right about that, but to see my entire province get slapped in the face because a couple sore losers from Ontario couldn't bear the sight of a Conservative party handling the problems (an Albertan, no less!) they created has more or less pissed me off. All my life I spent my time being inundated with stories about how horrible the Liberals were, which I decided not to believe. Now I do, whole heartedly. Stephan Dion can take about democracy and fit-to-rule all he wants, but that does not change the fact in my eyes that he's basically saying power should stay in Ontario and Quebec 'where it belongs'. Harper may not have the confidence of the leftwing parties, but if Dion does come to power, his rule is about as legitimate as any other sleazy backroom dealer's. It is a slap in the face to over a third of the country's voters.
Which is why, if it ends up another election, I'll be voting ASP/WSP (Alberta/Western Seperation Party). I'm tired of Canadian politics, and tired of hearing about how poorly treated the West was under the liberals... and then seeing it come to fruition in front of my eyes. Congrats Dion and Layton, you've successfully galvanized a voter into taking action. Too bad it's probably not how you intended.
For those who don't, not too long ago we had an election. Stephen Harper was re-elected into a minority government, which was sworn in on November 18th. Today, the Liberals, NDP, and Bloc Quebecois signed a coalition to overthrow Harper and his party and possibly re-arrange the seats in Parliament by calling by-elections in closely contested ridings.
I didn't vote last election. I didn't vote because I felt that my vote, in a heavily Conservative riding, would mean nothing. I was right about that, but to see my entire province get slapped in the face because a couple sore losers from Ontario couldn't bear the sight of a Conservative party handling the problems (an Albertan, no less!) they created has more or less pissed me off. All my life I spent my time being inundated with stories about how horrible the Liberals were, which I decided not to believe. Now I do, whole heartedly. Stephan Dion can take about democracy and fit-to-rule all he wants, but that does not change the fact in my eyes that he's basically saying power should stay in Ontario and Quebec 'where it belongs'. Harper may not have the confidence of the leftwing parties, but if Dion does come to power, his rule is about as legitimate as any other sleazy backroom dealer's. It is a slap in the face to over a third of the country's voters.
Which is why, if it ends up another election, I'll be voting ASP/WSP (Alberta/Western Seperation Party). I'm tired of Canadian politics, and tired of hearing about how poorly treated the West was under the liberals... and then seeing it come to fruition in front of my eyes. Congrats Dion and Layton, you've successfully galvanized a voter into taking action. Too bad it's probably not how you intended.
I do not tend to vote often as I do not agree with any of the parties nor do I agree with there plans and such. I know that many think that if you do not vote you should not complain. But it is my feelings that not voting rather then voting for someone you do not like shows more of a statment them throwing away your vote for something you do not agree with, or as I like to call it; Picking the lesser of the evils...
A lot of people are speaking out against this, and many are actually sharing the same view as you and wanting to separate from what they call a joke of a country.
I'm remaining neutral for now, partly because I don't know what to think. I'm in Alberta as well, my riding having voted 70% Con.
Can you really blame Layton? If he's ever to get even a tiny -whiff- of real power, it's only going to be by screwing with coalition-building.
Lib policies will perforce be altered by the requisite of holding the government together with such a cobbled-together coalition, and with the BQ just supporting the coalition, without actually being a part of it, it's a potentially nasty gamble, given that the Cons have had some reasonable showings in Quebec- I'm thinking like the results in 2006 there. It could be make-or-break for the Cons in Quebec, and potentially swing things decisively conservatively in the future there if the BQ are shown to be tools in this scheme.
How could the stirring up, and airing out of some of these historic tendencies, and exposing Dion's nature be negative in the end?
I'm curious about your perspective on these arguments. I don't have a lot of the requisite historical knowledge to back all my assertions up, but given that I've been eying BC for emigrating from the States, and carefully, carefully nurturing all my potential immigration credits, and trying to stack the odds by knowing more about the political situation there as well, I'm curious about your views. It would be bad to move from one frying pan, into someone else's fire, n'est pas?
As for moving to BC, odds are you'll be alright. The main reason I'm so furious is that the Liberals' stated economic plan will absolutely devastate the province I live in (Alberta), and now there will be no resistance whatsoever. By signing this pact, Dion has basically said that 40% of Canada's voters will not be listened to, because they voted for the wrong party.
You must be from Alberta because those are almost the exact same words I have used (minus not voting. I fukkin vote but now apparently voting doesn't matter, you just have to want to be in power really bad and you'll porlly get in. Anyone like that shouldn't be allowed to be in politics).
If not from Alberta then please spread whatever 'illness' you have that takes you're head out of you're ass to everyone else out east!
Cheers!