Whatever Happened to Politics

Politics has never really been exactly clean cut, but when did it suddenly become so mean spirited, so damn nasty?  I mean yes, Politics, does arouse passion, as it should. I mean there are two things one never discusses with strangers, Politics & Religion, though I often do both.  ( Guess that is one reason I have high blood pressure. lol )

I used to enjoy the discussions. Sure they were heated, but they were about the issues, about the details of the plans, not about the personalities, like it is today. I mean sure, we talked about how this party wanted to do this, that way, the other party had a different way of going about it, and that led to some shouting, fist pounding even, but it was about the issues, not about the man.

To be honest, can anyone truly explain the actual plans of any of the political parties out there?

Harper says he is the only one to lead us in our Economic Recovery, that Ignatieff is just going to raise our taxes.

Like that tells me what?  It doesn’t tell me how Harper will create more high paying jobs, nor does it tell me how he will handle the increased inflation rate, the higher food prices. It doesn’t tell me anything, but makes me afraid of Ignatieff.

Ignatieff tells me that Harper refuses to be held accountable, that he has created a huge deficit but supports more tax cuts for business, than the Liberal plan.

So, how does he plan to reduce the deficit? He does say he’ll increase taxes, but only for big corporations, But he doesn’t tell me, how that will still keep businesses here, or investing here.  Granted, they aren’t doing that now, but I would like a few more details.

Layton tells me he has a cost approved plan, that is better than anyone elses, He will immediately do things, to improve health care, to add a universal pharmacare plan, which the others won’t do. He tells me how Ignatieff & Harper are truant from Parliament, while he is always there.

So shoud a Political leader be in Parliament all the time, or should they be out in the Country, listening to our complaints? And if the plan is truly costed, who did the math?

Elizabeth May and the Green Party, are an unknown.  At this stage of the election, one should know about them, at least something about them.  However our Media has decided, that we don’t need to know anything about them.  After all, they aren’t a factor, but when did the Media get to decide that?

Now I have to say, I’ve gotten lots of emails from them. More than the other political parties. Hell, my inbox is full of Green stuff, but guess what, other than telling me about why Elizabeth should be in the debates, all I read in the literature is about donating now, about getting some stickers, and maybe volunteering.   Sorry, but uh, that just doesn’t inform me about much, other than in the two years since the last election, you didn’t do much fund raising.

They all talk about the Economy, but you know, there is something I really haven’t heard yet, from any of the Political Leaders.   That is about creating high paying jobs, while keeping our Social Programs intact.

Instead they all point their fingers at everyone else, sayint how they aren’t ( or can’t ) do it, but they can, and that is where it ends.  Nothing else, no other details.

I am frustrated by all the attack ads. I mean even the NDP have some.  Like what that does that say about our political system today?  That it is no longer about issues, about what matters, but about fear.   Let us see who can make the Voter more afriad of, in order to secure power.

I simply don’t get it anymore.  Honestly, this isn’t what I envision when I think of our political process.  Guess I was spoiled, when we actually had Leaders who cared about us, the voter, the People.

The Battle for Your Fear

I guess I am just too old.

Whatever happened to the old type of Politics, that used to be a cornerstone of Canadian Life?  I am old enough, I suppose, to remember a time when we discussed issues, not how bad the other guy was.

Honestly, the political ads were more like this:

Unlike ( Insert Party Name ) & ( Insert Party Name ) we have a different plan, to achieve those goals.  Our VISION is to do ( insert issue ) by doing ( insert details ) unlike our Opponents.

Now it is more like :

We ( insert Party Name ) are the only Party for you.  The Other Parties ( Insert opposing party names here ) are liars, they don’t tell the truth, they are foreigners, and will hurt you. They don’t support ( insert wedge issue here ) like we do.  Vote for Us ( insert party name ).

We are about 8 days from the Election, and I still can’t tell you what ANY of the Political Parties are for.  In any details.  And that is rather a sad state of affairs, given how the Advance Polls opened on Friday.

Instead of being told the differences, we are told how bad the other guy is. I am not supportive of the F-35 jet deal, but only because I DO NOT KNOW THE FIGURES.  I mean:

1. What is the actual cost per plane?
2. Why do we need 65
3. When do they begin to be delivered?
4. How long will they last?
5. Is this the Air Force’s first choice?
6. Does the Plane do what it is promoted as doing, considering, it isn’t even in the air yet?
7. What is our Escape Clause if we find this plane doesn’t do as it is billed to do?

It pisses me off as well, that only the NDP are giving us some alternatives. I mean come on here, just what is it that makes these planes so good? What is the perceived role of our Military that will require these planes, but you know what is as important as whether or not our Military needs them, is:

WHAT BENEFIT DOES IT GIVE CANADIAN BUSINESSES?

Damn, I didn’t want to get into specifics, but then again, it is the specifics that we should have gotten into, long before now. I mean how am I to choose a party to vote for, if I know absolutely nothing about their plans?

Neither Harper, Ignatieff, Layton, or May have told me diddly about the actual plans.

Harper tells me to be afraid of Ignatieff, that he is some foreignor who is here to grab a cushy job. He tells me he’s the only one to keep our economy moving forward, yet prices are going up while high paying jobs are dissappearing.

Ignatieff tells me to be afriad of Harper because the man lies, hides the truth. He says the NDP isn’t good for the economy, because they will spend too much.

Layton tells me to be afraid of Harper because he can’t be trusted, and to be afraid of Ignatieff because Ignatieff is truant.

Elizabeth May tells me to vote for her, because then she can be in all the debates, to stand up for democracy.

So I guess it comes down to, whether I want a Liar, a Truant, a Spendthrift, or a Talker.

Somehow, that just doesn’t seem right, for how to choose the next Prime Minister, now does it?

What Do You Want In A Government pt.2

The whole idea of a National Health system, is something I grew up, into.  When I was born, we didn’t have Universal Health Care.  Not until I was 12 years old actually, which shows you what an old fart I am.   Still, I remember a few times when we needed a Doctor, and back then ( in the beginning of National Health ) Doctors actually made house calls too.  (  I know, hard to believe isn’t it, Doctors actually come to your home, for your son’s tummy ache, at 1am, but that is what they did, back then. )

In this election, the biggest issue seems to be about whether or not the 6% increase to funding to the Provinces, will continue beyond 2014

Harper says he will continue it, with some stipulations, but it isn’t actually detailed in his health care plan.

Ignatieff says he will make it permanent, while also calling for a First Ministers meeting, to discuss health care funding.

Layton guarantees it as well, but does lay out some other plans he wants to include.

Haven’t read the Green party plan nor did I hear if they would guarantee the rise, but given how the media keeps them off the news, doubt if they’ll be forming the next Government.

Frankly on this issue, I am conflicted.  I don’t like that there is no absolute guarantee from the Harper Conservatives about continuing the increase.  However, Health Care is a bit more complex than just giving the Provinces an additional 6% every year.

What about Doctors & Nurses?

Harper Conservatives get a Strike

He’s had Five Years to do something about the shortage of Doctors & Nurses. To suddenly say he will do something now, just doesn’t cut it. The plan to provide funding for Immigrants to get their skills upgraded, so they can be qualified to practise.

Problem with that is just how many Immigrants actually are Doctors, and will pass in how long of a time, before they enter the ranks of Doctors?

Should also note, the plan calls for loans to agencies, not to actual Immigrants.

Ignatieff Liberals get a Ball.

It just, well doesn’t quite go much beyond the guarantee increase. He does says he’ll add more Doctors & Nurses, but uses his Education Passport as the vehicle for that.  While it isn’t a strike, it isn’t a base hit either.

His plan has some tax cuts, incentives, but he hasn’t really articulated it well enough for me to actually know what he plans.  Least it isn’t as much double speak as Harper does.

Layton NDP get a Base Hit

While also accepting the increase, he doesn’t exactly say it’ll go beyond 2014. He does say that he would begin negotiations now, to begin improving our Health Care system.   That is good start, but what if there is not agreement?

He also has said he would create more Doctors & Nurses.  So there you go, though he doesn’t quite go far enough in saying how. I also like how he’s tied in the Home Care plan to it.  Kind of like that.

The Edge on this one goes to the NDP, but then, it should. I mean come on, we have National Health because of the NDP.  Course it came about thanks to the poltical savvy of Lester Pearson, a Liberal.  Oh, and it was a Minority Government.  ( Kind of shows you, Minority Governments can create good government, can actually accomplish great things, when the parties are willing to work together. Not what the Harper Minority Government has even tried to do…  work with the others. )

What Do You Want In A Government pt.1

This election has so many sides to it, that it makes one’s head spin a bit. I mean all the different dynamics ( fancy word huh? lol ) make it hard for an average guy like me, to make up my mind on who to support.

Which makes me wonder, just what is it that I want in a Government?

Take the F-35 Fighter Jet debate that is raging.  I mean Layton thinks we should concentrate on ships first, Harper is gung ho for the jets, while Ignatieff thinks we should open up the process, not commit until we see what else is out there. The Green party suggests a review of our entire Military, to determine its exact role, before running off and buying jets, or ships. Ignatieff sort of goes along with that, though he seems to state pretty clearly our role should be Peace Keeping.

Harper of course, attacks Layton & Ignatieff for being UN Patriotic, for questioning the jet deal.  Which really makes me wonder, what is so unPatriotic about questioning a major purchase like the Jets are?

1. Are they what the Military wants?
2. Are they the best available for the Military, & their needs?
3. Will they be long term survivors like the current Jets?

Now, tell me Mr. Harper, how is asking those questions, somehow Un Patriotic, and non supportive of the Military?

So on that score, I would have to say that I want a Government who will not attack me, or others, for having a different opinion on the value of a major taxpayer expense. By wanting to make sure the price is as quoted, that the purchased goods are what is needed, is also something I think MY Government should be encouraging.

I mean hell, if it is the best, on all scores, it should stand up to scrutiny, right?

Strike to the Harper Conservatives.

To not associate anyone who questions this kind of purchase, as being Un Patriotic, is just wrong. IF the price is as stated, show it, prove it, don’t attack me for being against the Military, or wanting something less for them.

As well, IF this is the best out there, then show me that it is what the Military has asked for. Surely if it is, then that should help settle the issue, irrespective of the cost.

Base Hit to the Liberals

Traditionally our Military Role has been one of Peace Keeping. It hasn’t been a force of invasion, and too, when involved in Peace Keeping, it should have the ability to defend itself, as Mr. Ignatieff points out.  So yeah, that’s a hit with me.

Base Hit to the NDP

Just as the current Jets are reaching the end of their usefullness, so are our Naval ships. We do need them as well, and an overall defence refit is a good idea. I also like the need being a job creating one, for Canadians.  The Jets, from all I’ve seen, don’t benefit Canadian Businesses as much.

Two Base Hit to the Green Party.

A double base run for them, simply because they are the only party openly discussing a full & complete review on the role of our Military. Also, they are not supporting the recent excursion into Libya, and becoming not a Peace Keeper, but a Western World police force.   I honestly don’t believe it is our role to play Cop, in countries like Libya, Iraq, etc.

A New Special Interest Group – The People

How the world has changed, to where our Elected Leaders all pander to one or more special interest groups. For the Harper Conservatives is appears to be Mining Companies & the Oil Industry. The NDP are tagged as being the party representing Big Labor Unions, and the Liberals, usually tagged with being supported by nameless Big Businesses.

Makes you wonder, when did Business & Labor Entities get the right to vote?

Jack Layton is out stumping these days, telling people he is going to ‘fight like hell’ for them, which seems to have made an impression.  Now, it is nice to actually hear a leader talk like that, but uh, why has that become special?

Shouldn’t every single leader be automatically a champion for us, the people?  After all, it is US who elect them, isn’t it?

Why I Will Vote for Anyone but Harper Conservatives:

• The Other Parties all have track records of supporting voters over big business interests.
• The NDP are always leading the fight for better paying jobs
• Both the NDP & LIBERALS are committed to National Health Care
• LIBERALS & GREENS support moving away from Petroleum based energy
• LIBERALS, GREENS, & NDP all support building up Canadian Business not in outsourcing to foreign interests.
• LIBERALS have a proven track record of budget restraint, that creates surpluses.
• NDP has always supported the rights of all citizens, not just the advantaged few.
• GREEN PARTY looks for alternative solutions, instead of rehashing old failed policies.

However the guiding reason is simple. With either of the other parties  ( the Bloc in Quebec, the NDP, the Green Party, & the Liberals ) I know that while special interest groups do get a hearing, do get a seat at the table, my interests are also at that very important table. It may not always be listened to, but unlike the Harper Conservatives, at least we are at the table.

After all, that is the biggest difference.  At least we, the people, irrespective of how much money we make, how much we contribute to any Political party, still gets us a seat at that table… called CANADA.

Anyone But Bought & Paid For Harper Conservatives