Comments | bearfinch: election thoughts

bearfinch

election thoughts

May 03, 2011 09:39

On the collapse of the Liberal Party: I was more saddened and shocked by this than the CPC win. Years ago I had become a liberal party supporter, voted for them regularly, and made monthly donations. I was sure Ignatieff was a better bet than the former leader Dion and was best for the country. Apparently, by a wide margin, the public didn't agree ( Read more... )

Comments 6

fatherbear May 3 2011, 17:54:04 UTC

I completely agree with you on all accounts. The Liberal candidate we voted for in our riding slipped from second to third place this time.

There are so many ironies in the results. Stephan Dion was comfortably re-elected as an MP, Michael Ignatieff wasn't... Elizabeth May was excluded from the Leaders debate, but now two of the leaders that were in it aren't even MPs anymore...

bearfinch May 3 2011, 18:42:16 UTC

I hope the Liberals merge with the NDP (something like Liberal Democrats would be a good name) to offer it a bit more punch and experience to the opposition and to future campaigns.

My fear now is that they won't merge, and Bob Rae will seek, and probably get, the leadership of the Liberals. He was such a disaster as Ontario Premiere that even I could not vote for him federally.

pangolin May 4 2011, 03:55:08 UTC

Canadian politics O.o I know them not!

bearfinch May 4 2011, 14:28:03 UTC

A simple guide, in American terms:

Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) = Conservative Democrats

Liberals (LPC) = Left of center Democrats

New Democratic Party (NDP) = Socialists (actual socialists, like what they have in Europe)

Bloc Quebecois = The confederate states without slavery

Prime Minister = Speaker of the House of Congress

Queen Elizabeth II = President

pangolin May 6 2011, 03:03:22 UTC

So you have not Republicans?!? Teh Awesome.

bearfinch May 6 2011, 15:17:25 UTC

There are members of the CPC that are closer to republicans, on fiscal or social issues or both. But that attitude is nowhere near as prevalent here.

To put things in perspective, during the election campaign a reporter asked Harper point blank if he planned to repeal gay marriage and ban abortion. Harper clearly answered that he had no intention to changing either law because he didn't see them as crucial issues facing the public.

Could you imagine a Republican saying that?