The Canadian Election
I’ve been pretty silent this election season (unlike the last two or three), because I’ve become quite disenfranchised with all parties vying for my vote. It’s unfortunate, because as someone who has from a young age been keen to participate in our democracy, suddenly I find myself distanced from any part of the political process. Now, a few weeks into the election, here are my thoughts on what’s gone on;
1) The Conservatives are by far the best party to take care of things in a bad economic season. They will maintain spending controls, encourage investment and innovation, and at the same time not raise taxes. Stephen Harper is a great leader, and would be best of the available options to serve as Prime Minister (again). Unfortunately, C-61 and Net Neutrality are two huge issues for me, and the party has taken a stance completely opposite my own. This is such an issue for the future of consumer rights and digital media that I cannot in good conscience vote for this party (assuming it would still press to pass the bills previously introduced into parliament).
2) The Liberals haven’t really put a good case for opposition. They can’t honestly say they would be better in a recession, nor can they say that the green shift would boost performance in the economy. They seem to be more spend happy than the Conservatives, and one of my main priorities is to pay down the debt (since paying down the debt now should save me tax dollars during my prime earning years).
3) The NDP seem extremely weak this year to be honest. Not only will they suffer from the “we have to vote liberal so the conservatives don’t get a majority” problem, they may also face the “might as well vote green this time” issue. Jack Layton is the kind of PM that you need when you have low debt levels and high tax income; spend, spend, spend. He is right that we need more spending on education, health care, infrastructure, the arts, etc. but the timing isn’t right for that. Of course, if he agreed to raise taxes during the economic good times to pay off that higher spending I would support him (following the basic economic idea of higher government spending in downturns offset by higher taxes in the good times), but there’s no way that would happen.
4) The greens are nice people I’m sure, but don’t offer a legitimate campaign to govern
This leaves me with a dilemma. In a few weeks I head to the polls (which incidentally are inside my condo building, yay voting in your pyjamas!), and I don’t know who to vote for. Please, if you have some constructive argument, and you know my email address, give me a good reason for who I should vote for. In the interest of disclosure I’m in the trinity spadina riding (and Olivia Chow is the incumbent), and I will vote for someone (no chance of passing on my democratic right to vote). Alternatively, if you’re reading this on facebook, leave a comment detailing the reasons why you are voting for one party/candidate or another.
Add comment September 25th, 2008