MaxedOutMama
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
The Canadian Election
This is fascinating. The Canadians will vote on Monday, and polls are showing that the Liberals will be the big losers. Now I have been consciously avoiding the topic, because I am not Canadian. I don't like it when Europeans think they understand US politics better than we do and try to tell us how to vote. My theory is that the Canadians will make better decisions than I could possibly make for them and I certainly have no knowledge to add to the debate. For actual information try Dust My Broom. The other reason I have been trying to not to write about Canada is because I don't want to make people feel better about our homegrown corruption by comparing it with Canada's truly epic political scandals. We need to focus on cleaning up our own dirt.
But surely it cannot be surprising that the voters of Canada might be displeased with a party that has been involved in such severe and persistent scandals? DU has been up in arms about the polling results, and has now escalated into the theory that this is a vast Bushista plot to take over the universe and install Darth Vader as the Emperor. See, for example, this thread:
There are absolutely tons and tons of excellent Canadian bloggers. Tons. Gods of the Copybook Headings. Small Dead Animals has the story of an attempt to block conservative Canadian bloggers using election law. It's a conspiracy. Dust My Broom is following the epic pitching of dollars and program promises towards various tribal groups and leaders, although not Tory bloggers! Of course this is in no way an attempt to influence the outcome of the election. Also, they are finding time to laugh at us. Ouch.
But surely it cannot be surprising that the voters of Canada might be displeased with a party that has been involved in such severe and persistent scandals? DU has been up in arms about the polling results, and has now escalated into the theory that this is a vast Bushista plot to take over the universe and install Darth Vader as the Emperor. See, for example, this thread:
THIS IS A RELATIVELY NEW CONSERVATIVE PARTY THAT HAS FORMED AS A RESULT OF A FRIENDLY TAKEOVER BY THE EXTREME RIGHTWING POLITICAL PARTY IN CANADA OF THE MODERATE RIGHTWING PARTY.I can't imagine anything sillier and more self-referential than thinking that Canadian politics is somehow about the US, or what could be more demeaning to Canadian citizens than to believe that they plan to vote out of misguided regard for George Bush. One of the replies:
THEY ARE DANGEROUS AND WILL ATTEMPT TO ROLL BACK MINORITY RIGHTS.
Please, read his words and think about what a mirror image of Bush in Canada will mean for us all.
PLEASE Write an impassioned letter to the editor about how crappy life under Bush is and how much Bush likes Stephen Harper and how similar you think they are to each other (rightwing social agenda...for example)
1. I am more than willing to write but are you sure this won't backfire? English citizens tried this with Ohioans and it backfired bigtime.The answer:
3. I don't think it will backfire, no. As long as the letters are unique and reasoned, they will help.Really, go and read the thread and look at the ads and cartoons. A poster writes:
We need to utilize fear against this man. The fear is well-placed.
Canadians are a little paranoid of "anti-Americanism" and PC elements brand ANY American critisism as much.
The point that needs to be driven home is BUSH is NOT representative of Americans.
Explain how America is LIVING THROUGH A NIGHTMARE with the Bush admin....does Canada really want that?
22. I'm an NDPer and I like them, but they've backfired. Harper, aided by the private media empires that are giving him a cushy ride, had already redefined himself as "not so scary." The Liberal ads came across as desperate, and the phrasing has become a running gag. Canadians, generally, don't respond well to negative campaigns.Why on earth would people vote for a party that tries this sort of campaigning? The worst part for the Canadians is that we get to split the ticket when we're not happy with a party and the opposing candidates. We can vote for Dems in Congress and a GOP President, or vice versa. The Canadians vote for just their representatives and then the majority party or coalition between parties determines the PM. So they don't have the same ability to offset the camps.
There are absolutely tons and tons of excellent Canadian bloggers. Tons. Gods of the Copybook Headings. Small Dead Animals has the story of an attempt to block conservative Canadian bloggers using election law. It's a conspiracy. Dust My Broom is following the epic pitching of dollars and program promises towards various tribal groups and leaders, although not Tory bloggers! Of course this is in no way an attempt to influence the outcome of the election. Also, they are finding time to laugh at us. Ouch.
