I agree with a lot of things that Al had to say on this whole Alliance thing. We need someone to provide at least a semblance of a balance of power in Parliment.
Now having said that, this whole referendum thing really bothers me. No, no, not the “average Canadian citizen using their democratic vote” thing, but what exactly are the rules surrounding referendum? I mean, are we going to have these things every two months, six months. That could be incredibly expensive. If we are going to have them, let’s do so on a regular basis and put a number of questions on one ballot to decide.
In addition, is this going to create a situation like we have in Quebec, where the PQ appear to be planning on having referendums until they get a result that they like? If that is the case, I can assure we will be seeing referendums on abortions inperpetuity, because you know the anti-abortion forces are just not going to give up the fight any time soon.
I am placed in the unfortunate postion of agreeing most strongly with the Progressive Conservatives platform. I guess I am best described as “Socially liberal, fiscally conservative”. Unfortunately, I do not believe that the PC party will end up anywhere so long as Joe is the leader. He brings too much baggage from the Mulroney era. I mean, what was the man thinking, having Mulroney introduce him during one of his first campaign apperances.
Well, no that I’ve rambled all over the place, I think it’s best if I just leave off here.
I maintain that had the PC’s chosen a leader who was younger, with some personality - THIS could have been their election.
With everyone focused on the lying liberals and the alliance fears - we COULD have had an alternative to them…
Neither do I, which is why I’m not voting for him. But I don’t believe he’s going to pass laws banning all abortions because there’s not a shred of evidence the CA would do that, and I don’t see how Day could make the Constitution and the courts (which together made the last abortion law go away) simply disappear.
So I’m not going to say they’ll do those things. I won’t vote for them because
A) I think they’d be largely incompetent and directionless, as it’s becoming increasingly obvious the party isn’t particularly unified.
B) I suspect they won’t keep any of their fiscal promises. Their promise to reduce the debt AND lower taxes AND increase spending is conmplete and utter bullshit; it cannot be done and they haven’t even made an effort to explain how it could be. Yes, I know they say they’ll “Cut government waste.” EVERY party says that. You can’t cut government waste, because government is inherently wasteful.
But most of all:
C) They’ll sell out to Bouchard and the separatists faster than a five-dollar crack sale. Either they sell out right away and Canada breaks up (not too likely) or their election turns many Quebecois fence-sitters towards voting in another “What the hell does this question mean” referendum, and THEN Day sells out. Either way, he’ll gladly weasel the issue.
The most important issue to ME in this election is the party’s plan for attacking separatism. The CA is by far the weakest of the parties on this issue. I want a government dedicated to doing whatever it takes to destroying the separatist movement.
You’re right; the CA seems to be chock full of people with more mouths than brains. I just wanted to clear up the abortion nonsense.
It seems that perhaps Chretien’s gamble to call the election so early has paid off somewhat. The CA could really have used another year to work on party unity and a decent platform. Day’s musings about flat taxes and refferendums are fine, but NOT DURING an election, these things should be well hammered out before they are presented.